How to pray the rosary

Easter vigil brings a joyous time for many converts as they are confirmed into full communion with the Catholic Church. (Welcome Home!) During the Easter season there will be many others confirmed. It is just the beginning, not a ‘graduation’ ceremony. Confirmation begins your journey into a lifelong relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. That relationship should include praying the rosary. Here is how:

1.) Make the sign of the cross while holding the crucifix of your rosary in your hand and praying “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (just as you would begin any prayer, since the rosary is indeed a prayer)

2.) Recite the Apostle’s 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 buried. He descended into hell, 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 shall 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.

3.)On the first bead, recite 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

4.) On the three small beads, recite the Hail Mary for an increase of faith, hope, and charity.

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.

5.) On the next bead, recite the 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.

6.) Begin your meditation on the mysteries of the rosary (as listed below). The mysteries lead you through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, as well as key moments in the life of the Church and the Blessed Mother.

7.) On the ten small beads (after each mystery), recite the Hail Mary, keeping in mind the mystery for which you just meditated and reflected.

8.) On the single bead between the decades, recite the Glory Be.

9.) Each of the decades is prayed just like the first (except with a different mystery): recall the mystery of that decade, say the Our Father, say 10 Hail Marys, pray the Glory Be.

10.) Conclude the prayer just like any other prayer, by making the sign of the cross and saying “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”

Following the completion of the mysteries, many people will pray the Hail, Holy Queen:

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cray, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your 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.

Additionally, some people will also pray the Memorare:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

Optional: The rosary is also a wonderful way to pray for specific intentions. You can offer the rosary up for a specific intention or purpose by stating that the rosary is offered for that intention at the beginning of the recitation. Many also implore the prayers of saints for specific intentions at the end of the rosary, before concluding.

** When meditating and contemplating the mysteries of the rosary, most of the mysteries are contained within Sacred Scripture and I would recommend taking time to read those passages in Scripture as you meditate on them. Become familiar with them. When you pray the rosary each day for the entire week, adhering the suggested mysteries for each day, you will take a walk through the birth, life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY:

Joyful Mysteries (The birth and childhood of Jesus)

Prayed on Monday and Saturday

1.) The Annunciation

2.) The Visitation

3.) The Nativity

4.) The Presentation

5.) The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Luminous Mysteries (The ministry of Jesus)

Prayed on Thursday

1.) Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan

2.) Jesus’ Self-Manifestation at the Wedding at Cana

3.) Jesus’ Proclamation of the Kingdom of God with the call to conversion

4.) The Transfiguration of Jesus

5.) Institution of the Eucharist as the Sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery

Sorrowful Mysteries (The Passion of the Lord)

Prayed on Tuesday and Friday

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

Glorious Mysteries (Jesus’ victory over death and sin)

Prayed on Sunday and Wednesday

1.) The Resurrection

2.) The Ascension of Jesus

3.) The Descent of the Holy Spirit

4.) The Assumption of Mary

5.) The Crowning of Mary as Queen