Time needed:  20 minutes

How to pray the Rosary

1. It begins with the Sign of the Cross.

   In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

2. Holding the crucifix, he prays 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 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. 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, 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; forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. On each of the next three beads, pray a Hail Mary. 

   Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your 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, pray a Gloria.

   Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

6. Pray the first decade.

   On the large bead, announce the mystery and then pray an Our Father.
   On each of the 10 small beads, pray a Hail Mary while continuing to meditate on the mystery.
   At the end of the decade, say the Gloria.
   Then pray the Fatima Prayer: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, deliver us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of your mercy. Amen.

7. Repeat this pattern for the remaining decades.

   Our Father ⇾ 10 Hail Marys ⇾ Glory Be ⇾ Oh my Jesus (Fatima Prayer)

8. After the 5 decades, conclude with La Salve.

   Hail, Queen and Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, our hope.
   To you, we cry, we exiled children of Eve; to you, we sigh, groaning and weeping in this valley of tears.  Come, then, our Lady Advocate, turn your merciful eyes upon us, and after this exile, show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb. O clement, O pious, O sweet Virgin Mary.

   Pray for us, Holy Mother of God, that we may be worthy of the promises of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

9. Conclude with the final prayer.

   Let us pray:

   O God, whose only Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has obtained for us the reward of eternal life: grant that we who remember these mysteries of the Holy Rosary may imitate what they contain and attain what they promise. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

10. It ends with the Sign of the Cross.

    In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.