The Question you've been asking: What is the Rosary? 

The Rosary is an iconic Catholic prayer. Even non-Catholics are familiar with the strings of beads and crucifix that comprise this sacramental. But why do Catholics pray the Rosary? And how exactly is it prayed? Is it really just a mindless recitation of the same words, over and over? Who is supposed to pray the Rosary-- just grandmas and nuns? What is the spiritual benefit? And how exactly is it prayed?


You've come to the right place. Here you will find some easy resources to help you start to pray the Rosary, and some answers to commonly asked questions about the Rosary.


How to Pray the Rosary

Sign of the Cross & Apostles Creed

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.


I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord,Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.  Amen.


Our Father (X1)

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen.


Hail Mary (X3)

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.


Glory Be & Fatima Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.


O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.


5 Mysteries (or Decades)

Our Father (x1), Hail Mary (x10), Glory Be (x1), Fatima Prayer (x1) in each Mystery
*SEE BELOW 

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.


Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray, 


O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Five Mysteries/Decades of the Rosary

The decades of the rosary are also called the mysteries of the rosary. Depending on the day of the week, different mysteries of the rosary are prayed. Before saying the "Our Father" at the beginning of each decade, state the mystery. Contemplate the mystery as you make your way through the decade. See below for an outline of the Mysteries of the Rosary

The Glorious Mysteries

Sundays & Wednesdays


1. The Resurrection

2. The Ascension

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit

4. The Assumption of Mary

5. The Coronation of Mary

The Joyful Mysteries

Mondays & Saturdays


1. The Annunciation

2. The Visitation

3. The Nativity

4. The Presentation

5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Tuesdays & Fridays


1. The Agony in the Garden

2. The Scourging at the Pillar

3. The Crowning with Thorns

4. The Carrying of the Cross

5. The Crucifixion

The Luminous Mysteries

Thursdays


1. The Baptism in the Jordan

2. The Wedding at Cana

3. Proclamation of the Kingdom

4. The Transfiguration

5. Institution of the Eucharist

Looking to pray the Rosary on the go?

How to Pray the Rosary 

For when you want to go Screen Free, This How to Pray the Rosary Download has all you need to pray on your own.

Audio Rosary

Going on a long car ride or maybe a walk in the park? Pray along with Shannon by listening to our Audio Rosary Recordings.

Rosary Bracelets

Our Rosary Bracelets are perfect for prayer on the go, with all five decades and our Signature moveable bookmark charm for keeping track of where you left off!

Common Rosary Questions

What is involved when praying the Rosary?

The Rosary is comprised of two basic types of prayer: vocal and mental.

While you recite basic Catholic prayers like the Hail Mary and Our Father, you contemplate the mysteries, which are the events of Jesus' & Mary's lives as told in the Gospels.

Where do the beads come in?

Rosary beads are used to help you keep track of the prayers as you say them. One full Rosary consists of:

1 Apostles Creed

6 Our Father's

53 Hail Mary's

6 Glory Be's

1 Hail Holy Queen


...and a few other optional prayers. The beads help you to keep your place!

Explain these "mysteries"...

There are certain events in the lives of Jesus and Mary that we contemplate while we recite the prayers. Each day is assigned a certain set of mysteries, and each decade (or set of ten Hail Marys) is assigned a mystery. For example, on Tuesdays and Fridays we contemplate the Sorrowful Mysteries, which are the events of the passion and death of Jesus. The first mystery is The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. So, while we pray that Our Father and ten Hail Marys, we think about Jesus being in the garden, undergoing temptation, and enduring great suffering on our behalf.

Why pray the Rosary when there are so many other prayers to pray?

The simple answer: Mary herself asked us to! She appeared to St. Dominic and gave him 15 Promises to those who pray the Rosary. When she appeared to the children in Fatima in 1917, she also told them that the faithful needed to be praying the Rosary daily. That's a pretty solid endorsement!

Who should be praying the Rosary?

The Rosary is not just a prayer for nuns, priests, and old Catholic grandmas! ALL Catholics should be making the Rosary a part of their prayer lives. The graces received from faithful recitation of the Rosary are numerous, and it's never too late to start incorporating the Rosary into your spiritual practice.

“The holy Rosary is a powerful weapon. Use it with confidence and you’ll be amazed at the results.” ~St. Josemaria Escriva

Where should I start?

Right here, right now! If you don't have a rosary on hand, just use your ten fingers! Use our guide above to help you through the mysteries and the prayers. You can always start with just one Decade at a time (10 Hail Marys) to get into it, and build from there. The one thing we guarantee: you will not regret the time you spend talking to Our Lord and His Blessed Mother through recitation of the Rosary.