How to Pray the Holy Rosary of the Catholic Church?
Praying the rosary consists of reciting specific prayers while meditating on a series of significant moments in the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, known as mysteries. The most important thing to pray the rosary is to do it with faith and always knowing that the Virgin Mary is listening to us. It is very helpful to use a rosary to keep count of the Hail Marys, but if you don’t have a rosary handy, you can always keep count on your own fingers. The rosary can be prayed individually or in a group. When praying with more people, there are markings that help guide the prayer. The letters “V.” and “R.” are markings that indicate the fragments that are discussed between the person in charge of the reading and the other people in the group. The phrases that begin with “V.” are recited only by the person in charge of the prayer, while the prayers that begin with “R.” are answered by the rest of the people in the group. When the rosary is prayed individually, the markings “V.” and “R.” serve no function.
Below are the steps to pray the Holy Rosary:
1. Make the Sign of the Cross.
2. Say the Act of Contrition or the Apostles’ Creed.
3. Say an Our Father.
4. Say three Hail Marys, usually for the increase of faith, hope, and charity.
5. Say the Glory Be.
6. Announce the first mystery of the day of the week you are on:
Mondays, Saturdays and during the season of Advent, on Sundays: Joyful Mysteries.
First: The Annunciation of the Angel to Mary.
Second: The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.
Third: The Nativity.
Fourth: The Presentation in the Temple.
Fifth: The Finding in the Temple.
Tuesdays, Fridays and during the season of Lent, on Sundays: Sorrowful Mysteries.
First: The Agony in the Garden.
Second: The Scourging at the Pillar.
Third: The Crowning with Thorns.
Fourth: The Carrying of the Cross.
Fifth: The Crucifixion and Death.
Wednesdays and outside the seasons of Advent and Lent, on Sundays: Glorious Mysteries.
First: The Resurrection.
Second: The Ascension.
Third: The Descent of the Holy Spirit.
Fourth: The Assumption of Mary to Heaven.
Fifth: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Thursdays: Luminous Mysteries.
First: The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan.
Second: The Wedding Feast at Cana.
Third: Jesus’ Proclamation of the Coming of the Kingdom of God.
Fourth: The Transfiguration.
Fifth: The Institution of the Eucharist.
7. Say an Our Father.
8. Say ten Hail Marys.
9. Say the Gloria Be.
10. 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.
11. Repeat step 6 for the second, third, fourth and fifth mysteries of the rosary for the day of the week you are on.
12. Say the Litany of Loreto.
13. Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father and to gain the indulgences of the Holy Rosary. Say an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Gloria Be.
14. Say a Hail, Holy Queen.
15. Say this prayer:
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
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.
16. Conclude the rosary by making the Sign of the Cross.
Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Act of Contrition:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. 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:
V. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. R. 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:
V. Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. R. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be:
V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, R. as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.
Litany of Loreto:
V. Lord have mercy. R. Lord have mercy.
V. Christ have mercy. R. Christ have mercy.
V. Lord have mercy. R. Lord have mercy.
V. Christ hear us. R. Christ hear us.
V. Christ graciously hear us. R. Christ graciously hear us.
V. God, the Father of heaven, R. have mercy on us.
V. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, R. have mercy on us.
V. God the Holy Spirit, R. have mercy on us.
V. Holy Trinity, one God, R. have mercy on us.
V. Holy Mary, R. pray for us.
V. Holy Mother of God, R. pray for us.
V. Holy Virgin of virgins, R. pray for us.
V. Mother of Christ, R. pray for us.
V. Mother of the Church, R. pray for us.
V. Mother of Mercy, R. pray for us.
V. Mother of divine grace, R. pray for us.
V. Mother of Hope, R. pray for us.
V. Mother most pure, R. pray for us.
V. Mother most chaste, R. pray for us.
V. Mother inviolate, R. pray for us.
V. Mother undefiled, R. pray for us.
V. Mother most amiable, R. pray for us.
V. Mother admirable, R. pray for us.
V. Mother of good counsel, R. pray for us.
V. Mother of our Creator, R. pray for us.
V. Mother of our Saviour, R. pray for us.
V. Virgin most prudent, R. pray for us.
V. Virgin most venerable, R. pray for us.
V. Virgin most renowned, R. pray for us.
V. Virgin most powerful, R. pray for us.
V. Virgin most merciful, R. pray for us.
V. Virgin most faithful, R. pray for us.
V. Mirror of justice, R. pray for us.
V. Seat of wisdom, R. pray for us.
V. Cause of our joy, R. pray for us.
V. Spiritual vessel, R. pray for us.
V. Vessel of honour, R. pray for us.
V. Singular vessel of devotion, R. pray for us.
V. Mystical rose, R. pray for us.
V. Tower of David, R. pray for us.
V. Tower of ivory, R. pray for us.
V. House of gold, R. pray for us.
V. Ark of the covenant, R. pray for us.
V. Gate of heaven, R. pray for us.
V. Morning star, R. pray for us.
V. Health of the sick, R. pray for us.
V. Refuge of sinners, R. pray for us.
V. Solace of Migrants, pray for us.
V. Comfort of the afflicted, R. pray for us.
V. Help of Christians, R. pray for us.
V. Queen of Angels, R. pray for us.
V. Queen of Patriarchs, R. pray for us.
V. Queen of Prophets, R. pray for us.
V. Queen of Apostles, R. pray for us.
V. Queen of Martyrs, R. pray for us.
V. Queen of Confessors, R. pray for us.
V. Queen of Virgins, R. pray for us.
V. Queen of all Saints, R. pray for us.
V. Queen conceived without original sin, R. pray for us.
V. Queen assumed into heaven, R. pray for us.
V. Queen of the most holy Rosary, R. pray for us.
V. Queen of families, R. pray for us.
V. Queen of peace. R. pray for us.
V. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, R. spare us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, R. graciously hear us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, R. have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
V. Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord God, that we, your servants, may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow, and obtain eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord. R. 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. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God, that we may be worthy of attaining the promises of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Origin of the Rosary
In monasteries, the Psalter of David, composed of the 150 psalms of the monastic Breviary, was recited, but the faithful who were not priests or monks, unable to follow this devotion because most of them did not know how to read, were taught a simpler practice, that of reciting 150 Hail Marys. This devotion took the name of “Psalter of the Virgin.” The rosary had its first origin in the Order of Saint Benedict, later it was consolidated by the work of the Carthusian Order, and it was expanded by the action of the Dominicans.
The popularity and development of the rosary occurred in the 13th century, during the opposition to the Albigensian movement or Catharism. The Albigensians did not recognize any dogma related to the Virgin Mary and refused to venerate her. Faced with the clashes between Catholics and Albigensians, Saint Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Order of Preachers, better known as Dominicans, promoted the prayer of a primitive form of the rosary in his missions. Tradition tells the legend that the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Dominic de Guzman and gave him the rosary as a tool to combat the heresies of his time and to promote prayer among the faithful. As the Dominicans were an order of preachers and were always among the people, their devotion became popular, generating the appearance of brotherhoods and groups of devotees everywhere, along with stories of miracles that increased their fame.
Benefits of the Rosary
Praying the rosary offers multiple benefits:
- Strengthening Faith: Meditating on the mysteries of Christ and Mary helps to deepen the foundations of the Christian faith.
- Family Unity: Praying the rosary as a family strengthens family ties and promotes a shared spirituality.
- Intercession: The Virgin Mary intercedes for us before God when we pray the rosary, which gives us comfort and hope.
Historical Curiosities
An interesting historical curiosity is the relationship of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (known as Padre Pio) with the rosary. This 20th century saint, famous for his stigmata and miraculous gifts, was a fervent devotee of the rosary. It is said that he prayed multiple rosaries a day and encouraged his followers to do the same. Padre Pio considered the rosary as his “weapon” against evil and a powerful means of intercession.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Holy Rosary
Do I need a rosary to pray it?
No, it is not strictly necessary. You can pray the rosary by counting the prayers on your fingers or by using a mobile app. However, a rosary can be a visual and tactile aid to follow the prayers and meditate on the mysteries.
Can I pray the rosary alone or in a group?
You can pray the rosary both alone and in a group. Praying it alone allows you a moment of intimacy with God, while praying it in a group fosters communion and mutual support in faith.
What do I do if I get distracted while praying?
It is normal for the mind to wander during prayer. When this happens, simply return to the prayers and meditation on the relevant mystery. Do not worry about the distractions, the important thing is the intention to pray it with faith.
Are there different ways to pray the rosary?
Yes, there are some variations in the way to pray the rosary. Some people add additional prayers, such as the Fatima prayer after each mystery. You can also pray the rosary in different languages or use different meditation methods. The most important thing is to find a way that helps you connect with God and deepen your faith.
How often should I pray the rosary?
There is no hard and fast rule on how often you should pray the rosary. Some people pray it daily, while others do it weekly or on special occasions. The important thing is to pray it with faith and devotion.
Can I pray the rosary for other people?
Yes, you can offer the rosary for other people’s intentions, whether it be for their health, well-being, or any other need. The rosary is a powerful prayer of intercession.
Conclusion
The rosary is not just a series of repetitive prayers, but a deep meditation on the mysteries of the Christian faith. The holy rosary is a precious gift that invites us to get closer to God through meditation and prayer. We hope this article has inspired you to discover its meaning.
