To begin and to end
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Rosary
A prayer rooted in Scripture that walks with Jesus through the events of his life, with Mary beside you. Here is how to pray it, the mysteries for each day and every prayer you need.
How to pray the Rosary
A rosary is a loop of five sets of ten beads, called decades, joined to a short strand with a crucifix. Follow the beads from the crucifix and around the loop.
- 1
To begin
Make the Sign of the Cross.
- 2
On the crucifix
Say the Apostles' Creed.
- 3
On the first bead
Say an Our Father.
- 4
On the next three beads
Say one Hail Mary on each bead.
- 5
Before the first decade
Say the Glory Be.
- 6
To start each decade
Announce the mystery, perhaps with a short reading from Scripture, then say the Our Father.
- 7
On the ten beads
Say ten Hail Marys while you think about the mystery. Then say a Glory Be. Many also add the Fatima Prayer.
- 8
After the five decades
Say the Hail, Holy Queen and the closing prayer, then end with the Sign of the Cross.
The mysteries
Each decade looks at one event in the life of Jesus and Mary. There are four sets of five, and each day of the week has its own set.
Mondays and Saturdays, and Sundays in Advent
The Joyful Mysteries
- 1
The Annunciation
Luke 1:26-27Fruit: Humility
- 2
The Visitation
Luke 1:39-42Fruit: Love of neighbor
- 3
The Nativity
Luke 2:1-7Fruit: Poverty
- 4
The Presentation in the Temple
Luke 2:21-24Fruit: Purity of heart and body
- 5
The Finding in the Temple
Luke 2:41-47Fruit: Devotion to Jesus
The prayers
Every prayer of the Rosary, in the words used by the bishops of the United States.
On the crucifix
Apostles' Creed
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; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will 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.
On each single bead
Our Father
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.
On each of the ten beads
Hail Mary
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.
After each decade
Glory Be
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.
After each decade, if you wish
Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.
After the five decades
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 unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
To finish
Closing prayer
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. 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 life, grant, we beseech thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pray along
Pray the Rosary with others, and learn more about Mary and the mysteries.
Start hereAscension Presents
Pray a full Rosary along with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames and Brother Malachy.
Bishop Robert Barron
Pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary with Bishop Robert Barron.
EWTN Great Britain
Dr. Scott Hahn on what the Bible reveals about Mary, the Mother of God.
Common questions
Which mysteries do I pray today?
Joyful on Mondays and Saturdays, Sorrowful on Tuesdays and Fridays, Glorious on Wednesdays and Sundays, and Luminous on Thursdays. On Sundays in Advent many pray the Joyful Mysteries, and on Sundays in Lent the Sorrowful.
Is the Rosary in the Bible?
Its words and events come from Scripture. The Our Father is from the Gospels, and the first part of the Hail Mary is the angel's greeting to Mary and Elizabeth's greeting. Each mystery is an event in the life of Jesus.
Do Catholics worship Mary when they pray the Rosary?
No. Worship belongs to God alone. The Catechism teaches that devotion to Mary differs essentially from the adoration given to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In the Rosary we ask Mary to pray for us as we look at the life of her Son.
Why repeat the same prayers so many times?
The gentle repetition helps you grow quiet and think about each mystery. It leads into restful, contemplative prayer rather than a list of words.
Do I need rosary beads?
Beads help you keep your place, but they are not required. You can count the ten Hail Marys on your fingers.
Can I pray it alone?
Yes. The Rosary can be prayed privately or with a group, such as your family or your parish.
Where did the Luminous Mysteries come from?
Saint John Paul II added them in 2002. They cover Jesus' public life, from his Baptism in the Jordan to the Last Supper.
Start with one decade
An Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be, thinking about one of today's mysteries. Tomorrow, pray another.
See today's mysteries