The Rosary is a powerful prayer that has been used by Catholics for centuries. It is said that the Rosary can help to obtain all sorts of graces from God, including peace in our lives, wisdom, and even miracles. But many people don’t know how to pray the Rosary.
In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to pray the Rosary everyday and also be able to get our “How to Pray the Rosary Everyday PDF download (booklet)”
The rosary is a meditative prayer that helps Christians reflect on the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. It comprises of 5 decades and 4 sets of mysteries. Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous Mysteries.
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History of the Rosary
The rosary dates back to the 13th century when St. Dominic preached the Gospel to combat various heresies, and he founded the Order of the Dominicans to carry out this work of spreading the Good News.
Despite their efforts, the heresy continued to spread like wildfire so he called on the Blessed Mother and she surprisingly appeared to him in 1221 AD. In the apparition, she gave him the 15 decades of the rosary (with prayers) and asked him to tell others about it.
There is a popular monastic belief that each hail mary of the rosary represents a psalm in the bible hence instead of reciting the 150 psalms each week, the 15 decades of the rosary is used as a substitute.
Mysteries of the Rosary
What are the Mysteries of the Rosary? Recall that the rosary comprises 5 decades and 4 sets of mysteries. These mysteries are the Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous and Glorious mysteries.
Each mystery contains key moments in the life of Christ and in each mystery we reflect on what happened in those moments through the eyes of our Blessed Mother Mary.
The church in her wisdom has decided to pray specific mysteries on certain days of the week, as follows:
- Monday: Joyful Mystery
- Tuesday: Sorrowful Mystery
- Wednesday: Glorious Mystery
- Thursday: Luminous Mystery
- Friday: Sorrowful Mystery
- Saturday: Joyful Mystery
- Sunday: Glorious Mystery
But this arrangement doesn’t stop you from praying other mysteries in said days.
1. Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary
In the joyful mystery, we reflect on pivotal moments in the birth of our Lord. We reflect on what our Mother went through trying to bring our saviour into the world.
The joyful mystery consists of the annunciation, the Nativity, the Presentation, and the Finding of Christ in the temple.
2. Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
The sorrowful mystery is about his death. We meditate on what she went through that day from after the last supper to his death on the cross.
The sorrow mystery starts with the Agony in the garden after which we reflect on the Scourging at the pillar, next is the Crowning with Throngs, we then reflect on the Carrying of the Cross and finally Crucifixion.
3. Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
In this mystery, we reflect on the peak of our salvation. In the glorious mystery, we see the Resurrection of our Lord, His Ascension into heaven, the Descent of the Holyspirit, the Assumption of Mary and the Crowning of the Blessed Virgin.
4. Mystery of Light / Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary.
This mystery was introduced by Pope John Paul II via the instruction of the Spirit. Pope St. John Paul II wrote, “In the Luminous mysteries, apart from the miracle at Cana, the presence of Mary remains in the background … Yet the role she assumed at Cana accompanies Christ throughout his ministry. The revelation made directly by the Father at the Baptism in the Jordan, also echoed by John the Baptist, is placed upon Mary’s lips at Cana, and it becomes the great maternal counsel which Mary addresses to the Church of every age: ‘Do whatever he tells you.”
The mystery of light AKA Luminous mystery talks about key events in Christ’s ministry when he started to preach and teach in Israel.
The mystery of light talks about the Baptism in the Jordan, his first public miracle at the Wedding at Cana, his Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, Jesus’ Transfiguration, and the Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.
When to Pray the Rosary
The rosary can be prayed at any time of the say. You say the prayers when you deem fit, you should pray when you know you can recollect and reflect.
You do not need the beads to pray the rosary. It is the prayer that is called the rosary, not just the bead. The rosary takes 15-20 minutes to pray. If you cannot pray the 5 decades you can just do one decade.
Steps on How to Pray the Rosary Everyday
Rosary beads help Catholics count their prayers. Let us go straight to expatiating on how to pray the rosary.
1. On the crucifix, make the sign of the cross and then pray the Apostles’ Creed.
Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence 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.
2. On the first bead, pray an 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.
3. On each of the next three beads, pray a 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.
4. On the chain, pray the Glory Be.
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
5. On the large bead, meditate on the first mystery and pray the Our Father.
6. Pray the first decade.
On each of the 10 small beads, say a Hail Mary while continuing to meditate on the mystery.
At the end of the decade, say the Glory Be.
Then say the Fatima Prayer:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy. Amen
7. Repeat this pattern for the remaining decades.
Our Father -> 10 Hail Marys -> Glory Be -> O my Jesus (Fatima Prayer)
8. After the 5 decades, conclude with the Hail Holy Queen.
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, hail our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward 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
9. Close with the concluding 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 while meditating on 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.
You can add Litany of the Blessed Virgin but it is not compulsory.
10. End with the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
How to Pray the Rosary PDF Download (booklet)
Here’s our How to Pray the Rosary PDF. Click the link below to download.