The Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary

See the diagram above for the structure for praying the Rosary.

The traditional Rosary consists of 3 sets of Mysteries (the Joyful, the Sorrowful and the Glorious) with 1 additional set of Mysteries added by Pope John Paul II (the Luminous). Each set contains 5 Mysteries. After each Mystery is announced and contemplated a series of prayers follow within which are 10 Hail Marys. Each Mystery and associated prayers are then referred to as a decade. The most commonly recited form of the Rosary consists of the praying of 1 set of Mysteries (5 decades) with the associated introduction and closing to the Rosary.

It is a great sign of love for Our Blessed Mother and Most Holy Lord to pray the Rosary daily. How much love you have if you pray the full Rosary (all 20 decades) daily! Do not let a lack of time or busy schedule deter you. Pray a decade at a time if necessary (usually 4-5 minutes). Each prayer made sincerely, thoughtfully, with the attention of the heart, mind, body and soul is a beautiful flower to adorn Our Lady and give glory to God.

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation
2. The Visitation
3. The Nativity
4. The Presentation at the Temple
5. The Finding at the Temple

The Sorrowful Mysteries

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 Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection
2. The Ascension into Heaven
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of JESUS in the Jordan
2. The Manifestation of JESUS at the Wedding at Cana
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration
5. The Institution of the Eucharist

The prayer forms are taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church when possible. Those not in the Catechism are commonly used forms.

You may download a pdf printer friendly version of the Rosary with English and Latin prayers below. Please feel free to print and distribute as many as you'd like.

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The Rosary

1. Make the sign of the cross, kiss the crucifix and pray the Apostle's Creed.

2. Pray the Our Father (can be prayed for the intentions of the pope).

3. Pray 3 Hail Marys (can be prayed for the intention of an increase is Faith, Hope and Charity).

4. Pray the Glory be.

5. State and contemplate the first Mystery and the grace you are praying for in this particular Mystery then pray the Our Father.

6. Pray 10 Hail Marys.

7. Pray the Glory be and the Fatima prayer.

The next bead will start the next Mystery so repeat steps 5-7 and continue for all the Mysteries.

8. Conclude with the Hail Holy Queen then the Conclusion.

Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in JESUS CHRIST, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 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

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

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

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

Fatima Prayer

O my JESUS, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy Mercy.

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.

Conclusion to the Rosary

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 life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon 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.