How to pray the Rosary

As a general rule, depending on the season, the Joyful Mysteries are recited on Monday and Saturday, the Sorrowful Mysteries are on Tuesday and Friday, the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday, and the Luminous Mysteries are recited on Thursday.

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:28)
2. The Visitation (Luke 1:41-42)
3. The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:7)
4. The Presentation of Jesus (Luke 2:22-23)
5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:46)

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:16-17)
2. The Wedding at Cana (John 2:5-7)
3. Proclaiming the Kingdom of God (Matthew 10:7-8)
4. The Transfiguration (Luke 9:29, 35)
5. The Institution of the Eucharist (Luke 22:19-20)

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1. The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 3:16-17)
2. The Scourging at the Pillar (John 19:1)
3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:28-29)
4. The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)
5. The Crucifixion (Luke 23:46)

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection (Mark 16:6)
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19)
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4)
4. The Assumption (Judith 15:9-10)
5. The Coronation (Revelations 12:1)

1. The Crucifix: Make the Sign of the Cross and say the "Apostles' Creed."
2. First bead: Say the "Our Father."
3. Second to fourth beads: Say three "Hail Marys."
4. Between the fourth and fifth beads: Say the "Glory be to the Father."
5. Fifth bead: Announce the First Mystery; then say the "Our Father."
6. Sixth to fifteenth beads: Say ten "Hail Marys."
7. Between the fifteenth and sixteenth beads: Say the "Glory be to the Father" and "The Fatima Prayer."
8. Announce the Second Mystery; then say the "Our Father." Repeat 6, 7, and 8 and continue with the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner.
9. The Rosary link: Say the "Hail, Holy Queen" and the "Concluding Rosary Prayer."

Prayers of the Rosary                                                                                  

The Sign of the Cross - In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The 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 arose 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.

The 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.

The Hail Mary - Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art though 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.

The Glory Be to the Father - 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.

The 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. Amen.

The Hail, Holy Queen - Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail 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 towards 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.

Concluding Rosary Prayer - 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.