How to pray the rosary, step by step
- Begin at the crucifix. Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles’ Creed.
- First large bead: pray one Our Father.
- Next three small beads: pray three Hail Marys, traditionally for faith, hope and love.
- Before the first decade: pray the Glory Be, name the first mystery, and pray an Our Father on the next large bead.
- Ten small beads: pray ten Hail Marys while you think about the mystery. This is one decade.
- After the decade: pray the Glory Be and, if you like, the Fatima Prayer (“O my Jesus”).
- Repeat for the second to fifth decades, naming each new mystery before its Our Father.
- At the end: pray the Hail, Holy Queen, the Litany of Loreto if you like, and the closing prayer, then make the Sign of the Cross.
Which mysteries do you pray today?
Each day of the week has its own set of five mysteries, scenes from the life of Jesus and Mary.
| Mysteries | Days | The five mysteries |
|---|---|---|
| Joyful | Monday, Saturday | Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Presentation in the Temple, Finding in the Temple |
| Sorrowful | Tuesday, Friday | Agony in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar, Crowning with Thorns, Carrying of the Cross, Crucifixion |
| Glorious | Wednesday, Sunday | Resurrection, Ascension, Descent of the Holy Spirit, Assumption, Coronation of Mary |
| Luminous | Thursday | Baptism of Jesus, Wedding at Cana, Proclamation of the Kingdom, Transfiguration, Institution of the Eucharist |
How to pray one decade of the rosary
If you only have a few minutes, pray a single decade: the Sign of the Cross, one Our Father, ten Hail Marys while you think about one mystery, the Glory Be, and the “O my Jesus.” It takes about five minutes. Many people pray one decade a day for someone they love.
How long does it take to pray the rosary?
A whole rosary of five decades usually takes 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your pace. One decade takes about five minutes.
How many beads are on a rosary?
A standard five-decade rosary has 59 beads: 53 small beads for the Hail Marys and 6 larger beads for the Our Fathers, plus the crucifix and a centerpiece medal where the loop begins and ends.
Can I pray the rosary for someone?
Yes. Before you begin, tell God who you are praying for. On Go2MARY you can also ask others to pray for you: create a free prayer page for a surgery, a trip, an exam or someone you love, share the link, and see how many people prayed.
The prayers of the rosary
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 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.
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.
Fatima Prayer (O my Jesus)
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.
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. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Closing 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.