Table of Contents
Introduction
The Rosary is a meditative prayer based on Scripture. It is a prayer in which we ask Mary to pray for us as we seek to grow closer to her son Jesus by contemplating His life, death, and Resurrection. In his 2002 apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope John Paul II wrote that through the Rosary, “the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love.” The Rosary remains an important prayer today, as it has been called upon by Pope Francis and Archbishop Cordileone for peace and unity in the world.
How to Pray the Rosary: Step by Step Guide
Time needed: 20 minutes
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
- Pray the Apostles’ Creed. Holding the crucifix, recite the Apostles’ Creed, affirming your core beliefs as a Catholic.
- On the first bead, pray an Our Father. This prayer comes directly from Jesus in Matthew 6 and acknowledges God as our Father, who provides for our needs.
- On each of the next three beads, pray a Hail Mary. The Hail Mary is a prayer to Mary, asking for her intercession. It is rooted in Scripture and acknowledges her as the Mother of God.
- On the next bead, pray a Glory Be. The Glory Be is a prayer of praise to the Holy Trinity.
- Pray the first decade. On the large bead, announce the mystery and then say an Our Father. On each of the 10 small beads, say a Hail Mary while meditating on the mystery. At the end of the decade, say the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
- Repeat this pattern for the remaining decades. Pray an Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, a Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer for each decade.
- After the 5 decades, conclude with the Hail Holy Queen. This prayer is a tribute to Mary, acknowledging her as the Queen and Mother of Mercy.
- Close with the concluding prayer. Pray for the graces and blessings promised through the Rosary.
- End with the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
What is the Rosary?
Origin
In the early 13th century, St. Dominic preached the Gospel to combat various heresies and founded the Order of the Dominicans. Despite their efforts, the heresy continued to reappear, so St. Dominic turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary for guidance. Tradition holds that Mary appeared to him in 1221 and gave him the devotion of the Rosary, encouraging him to share it with others. The Rosary’s historical origin can also be traced back to the monastic practice of reciting 150 Psalms each week.
Rosary Prayers
The Rosary devotion consists of several prayers rooted in Scripture. These prayers include the Apostle’s Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer, and the Hail Holy Queen. Each prayer has its significance and purpose within the Rosary.
Apostle’s Creed
The Apostle’s Creed is a statement of faith affirming the core beliefs of Catholics. It includes lines from different books of Scripture and serves as a fitting way to begin the Rosary.
Our Father
Also known as the Lord’s Prayer, the Our Father comes directly from Jesus in Matthew 6. It teaches us how to pray and acknowledges God as our Father.
Hail Mary
The Hail Mary is the heart of the Rosary. It is a prayer to Mary, asking for her intercession. The first two lines come from the Annunciation and the Visitation, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke.
Glory Be
The Glory Be is a prayer of praise to the Holy Trinity. It acknowledges God’s glory and eternal nature.
Fatima Prayer
The Fatima Prayer was given by Mary to three shepherd children during her appearances in Fatima, Portugal. It asks Jesus for forgiveness and mercy upon all souls.
Hail Holy Queen
The Hail Holy Queen is a powerful prayer that acknowledges Mary as the Queen and Mother of Mercy. It concludes the Rosary with gratitude for Mary’s role in the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus.
Mysteries of the Rosary
The Rosary is divided into four sets of mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous, and Glorious. Each set contains five pivotal events from the life of Jesus. Praying the Rosary allows us to meditate on these events through the eyes of Mary, who was present for each moment.
Joyful Mysteries
The Joyful Mysteries invite us to contemplate the Incarnation and Jesus’ early life. They include the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Presentation, and the Finding in the Temple.
Sorrowful Mysteries
The Sorrowful Mysteries focus on the passion and death of Jesus. They include the Agony in the Garden, the Scourging at the Pillar, the Crowning of Thorns, the Carrying of the Cross, and the Crucifixion.
Luminous Mysteries
The Luminous Mysteries highlight Jesus’ public ministry and his identity as the Son of God. They include the Baptism in the Jordan, the Wedding at Cana, the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, the Transfiguration, and the Institution of the Eucharist.
Glorious Mysteries
The Glorious Mysteries celebrate the resurrection and triumph of Jesus. They include the Resurrection, the Ascension, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Assumption of Mary, and the Coronation of Mary.
Why do we pray the Rosary?
The Rosary is a prayer for people of all ages and backgrounds. It allows us to grow closer to Christ by meditating on His life with the help of His mother Mary. We can pray the Rosary for various reasons, whether it is for personal intentions, seeking solace, or deepening our relationship with God. The Rosary is a powerful means of prayer and a source of strength and comfort.
Praying the Rosary Every Day
The Rosary can be prayed at any time of the day or night. It can be prayed with or without beads, and the full Rosary usually takes about 15-25 minutes to complete. However, if time is limited, one decade (an Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, a Glory Be) can be prayed. The Rosary can be incorporated into daily routines, such as during walks, commutes, meal preparations, or quiet moments before bed. There are also resources available, such as apps and guided meditations, that can assist in praying the Rosary.
In conclusion, the Rosary is a powerful prayer that allows us to grow closer to Christ through the intercession of Mary. It is a prayer rooted in Scripture and has been practiced for centuries. Whether we pray the Rosary for personal intentions, seeking solace, or deepening our relationship with God, it remains a beautiful and meaningful devotion.