How to Pray the Rosary: Step by Step Guide

Learning how to pray the Rosary is one of the main tasks for a Catholic, as it is one of the most beloved prayers. The Holy Rosary helps us meditate on the most important moments in Jesus’s and Mary’s lives. It is a prayer that the Virgin Mary herself gave us through St. Dominic of Guzman so that we can approach Jesus through Mary.

While praying the Holy Rosary may seem a bit long or complicated at first, once you become familiar with its structure, it becomes a simple practice that will fill you with peace. In this step-by-step guide on how to pray the Holy Catholic Rosary, we will explain how to pray the Rosary quickly and straightforwardly so you can do it confidently, alone, or accompanied.

How to Obtain a Plenary Indulgence by Praying the Holy Rosary

A Plenary indulgence can be gained once a day (except in danger of death), provided that the general requirements of the Church are fulfilled: sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.

Concession 17 of the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum (Manual of Indulgences) of the Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary teaches us that a plenary indulgence is granted to those who“devoutly recite the Marian Rosary in a church or oratory or a family, in a religious community, in a gathering of the faithful and, in general, when several are gathered together for an honest purpose.”

A plenary indulgence can also be obtained if “the faithful devoutly join in reciting this same devotion when the Supreme Pontiff makes it and is broadcast through a television or radio instrument. In other circumstances, the indulgence will be partial”.

It is important to remember that during vocal prayer, “the devout meditation of the mysteries must be added,” and that in public recitation, “the mysteries must be enunciated according to the approved custom of the place; but in private recitation, it is sufficient for the faithful to add to the vocal prayer the meditation of the mysteries.”

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Steps for the recitation of the Holy Rosary:

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and recite the Apostles’ Creed.

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

A: 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.

B: 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.

2. Pray the Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, and the Glory Be.

Our Father:

A: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

B: 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:

A: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

B: 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 it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

3. Announce the first mystery, then pray the Our Father.

(The mysteries of the Rosary are after the steps for how to pray the Rosary.)

Our Father:

A: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

B: 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.

4. Pray 10 Hail Marys while meditating on the mystery.

Hail Mary:

A: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

B: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

5. Pray a Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer

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.

Fatima Prayer:

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven especially those in most need of thy mercy.

6. Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5, continuing with the second, third, fourth, and fifth mystery.

7. Pray the 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!

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

8. Pray the prayer after the recitation of the Holy Rosary

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 we who meditate upon these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

The Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday)

1. Annunciation of the birth of Jesus to Mary by the angel Gabriel
2. Visitation of Mary to her cousin, Elizabeth
3. Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
4. Presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple
5. Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple by Mary and Joseph

Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

1. Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River
2. The Wedding Feast at Cana
3. Christ’s announcement of the Kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration of Christ
5. The institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday)

1. Agony of Jesus in the Garden
2. Scourging of Jesus at the Pillar
3. Placing of the crown of thorns on the head of Jesus
4. Carrying the Cross by Jesus
5. Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ

Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday)

1. Resurrection of our Lord
2. Ascension of our Lord into heaven
3. Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles on Pentecost
4. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven
5. Coronation of the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

For a complete meditation on the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, you can go to this website.

The Holy Rosary is a powerful prayer that helps us draw closer to God and brings us peace of mind and comfort in our daily lives. By meditating on the mysteries, we open our hearts to God’s grace and let the Virgin Mary accompany us on our faith journey. Over time, you will see how praying it becomes a particular time to connect with the deepest part of your faith.