The Holy Rosary is a peaceful, Scripture-centered way to walk with Jesus through the eyes and heart of His Mother. You don’t need perfect words—only a willing heart. This page will guide you step-by-step.
What Is the Rosary?
The Rosary is a meditative prayer that combines repeating prayers (like the Our Father and Hail Mary) with reflection on key events in the life of Jesus—called the Mysteries. The repeated prayers help quiet the mind; the mysteries help focus the heart on Christ.
Day: — | Mysteries: —
This Decade’s Mystery
—
How to Pray the Rosary Step-by-Step
- Begin Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles’ Creed (optional but traditional).
- Apostles’ Creed Pray one Apostles’ Creed.
- Our Father Pray one Our Father.
- 3 Hail Marys Pray three Hail Marys for faith, hope, and charity.
- Glory Be Pray the Glory Be.
- Mystery Announce the first Mystery and take a quiet moment to reflect on it.
- Decade Pray 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, and 1 Glory Be.
- Repeat Repeat for five Mysteries (five decades).
- Close Conclude with the Hail Holy Queen (or a simple closing prayer).
Common Rosary Prayers
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Hail Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, 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 toward us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.
The Mysteries of the Rosary
Each Rosary includes five Mysteries. Many people pray different sets on different days. If you’re starting, choose one set and go slowly.
Joyful Mysteries
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation
- The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Sorrowful Mysteries
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning with Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion
Glorious Mysteries
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
- The Assumption of Mary
- The Coronation of Mary
Luminous Mysteries
- The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
- The Wedding Feast at Cana
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
- The Transfiguration
- The Institution of the Eucharist
Tips to Stay Focused
- If your mind wanders, gently return to the Mystery—without guilt.
- Pray slowly. Reverence matters more than speed.
- Offer each decade for a specific intention (family, healing, conversion, peace).
- If five decades feels like too much, pray one decade and end with gratitude.