The Rosary begins with the Sign of the Cross - whilst saying in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen . Then say one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be T The Father (as above). From there, it moves through five “decades” (sets of ten), each one built the same way: one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and one Glory Be, said while reflecting on a specific “mystery,” from the life of Jesus or Mary. Here are the mysteries:
The Rosary
How to Pray the Rosary
Mysteries of the Rosary
Joyful Mysteries
Prayed on Monday and Saturday
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation
- The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Luminous Mysteries
Prayed on Thursday
- The Baptism of Jesus
- The Wedding Feast at Cana
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom
- The Transfiguration
- The Institution of the Eucharist
Glorious Mysteries
Prayed on Sunday and Wednesday
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
- The Assumption of Mary
- The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Sorrowful Mysteries
Prayed on Tuesday and Friday
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning with Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion of Jesus
Closing Prayer
Hail, Holy Queen
The Rosary traditionally closes with the Hail, Holy Queen prayer.
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 unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.