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The Rosary

Pray with Mary.
Walk with Christ.

The Rosary is the Church's most loved prayer — a slow walk through the life of Jesus, guided by His Mother. It calms the heart and opens the soul. You don't need to know all the words to start. We'll walk through it with you.

Today's mysteries

Luminous Mysteries

Christ's public ministry — the light of the world revealed.

  1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.
  2. The Wedding at Cana — Mary asks, Jesus answers.
  3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom.
  4. The Transfiguration on Mount Tabor.
  5. The Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.

How to pray the Rosary

  1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross. "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
  2. Hold the crucifix. Pray the Apostles' Creed.
  3. On the first bead, pray one Our Father.
  4. On the next three beads, pray three Hail Marys — for an increase in faith, hope, and love.
  5. On the next bead, pray one Glory Be.
  6. For each of the five mysteries:
    • Announce the mystery and reflect briefly on it.
    • Pray one Our Father.
    • Pray ten Hail Marys while meditating on the mystery.
    • Pray one Glory Be.
    • Optional: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy."
  7. After all five mysteries, pray the Hail, Holy Queen.
  8. End with the Sign of the Cross.

The Four Sets of Mysteries

Mondays & Saturdays

Joyful Mysteries

Mary's encounters with the angel, with Elizabeth, and the early life of Jesus.

  1. The Annunciation — the angel Gabriel tells Mary she will bear the Son of God.
  2. The Visitation — Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth.
  3. The Nativity — the birth of Jesus.
  4. The Presentation in the Temple — Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus.
  5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple — Jesus, age 12, teaches the elders.

Tuesdays & Fridays

Sorrowful Mysteries

The Passion — Christ's suffering, surrender, and death for us.

  1. The Agony in the Garden — Jesus prays in Gethsemane: "not my will, but Thine be done."
  2. The Scourging at the Pillar.
  3. The Crowning with Thorns.
  4. The Carrying of the Cross.
  5. The Crucifixion — Jesus lays down His life for His friends.

Wednesdays & Sundays

Glorious Mysteries

Resurrection, ascension, and the glory of God revealed in His Mother.

  1. The Resurrection — Jesus rises from the dead.
  2. The Ascension — Jesus returns to the Father.
  3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit — Pentecost.
  4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven.
  5. The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven.

Thursdays

Luminous Mysteries

Christ's public ministry — the light of the world revealed.

  1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.
  2. The Wedding at Cana — Mary asks, Jesus answers.
  3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom.
  4. The Transfiguration on Mount Tabor.
  5. The Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.

The prayers, in full

For the words to each prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, the St. Michael Prayer, the Gethsemane prayer), see the Prayers page.

Read the prayers Back to home