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Complete guide to praying the Holy Rosary
A simple, interactive guide to learn the rosary or to accompany you while you pray it: choose the mysteries, move prayer by prayer and follow your place on the beads.
Pray the rosary step by step
Choose the mysteries and move forward with the “Next” button (or the keyboard arrows). The drawing shows which bead you are on.
Step 1 of 80. Sign of the Cross.
Which mysteries are prayed each day?
The Church's current custom assigns one group to each day of the week. You can pray any group whenever you need to.
| Day | Mysteries |
|---|---|
| Monday | Joyful Mysteries |
| Tuesday | Sorrowful Mysteries |
| Wednesday | Glorious Mysteries |
| Thursday | Luminous Mysteries |
| Friday | Sorrowful Mysteries |
| Saturday | Joyful Mysteries |
| Sunday | Glorious Mysteries |
The mysteries of the rosary
There are four groups of five mysteries. Each includes the Bible reading, the fruit to ask for and a short meditation.
Joyful Mysteries
Monday and Saturday
They contemplate the childhood of Jesus: the joy of the Incarnation and the hidden life in Nazareth.
The Annunciation
The angel Gabriel tells Mary she will be the Mother of the Son of God, and she answers: “Let it be done to me according to your word.” Ask for the grace to say “yes” to God with trust.
The Visitation
Mary goes in haste to serve her cousin Elizabeth. Ask for a heart attentive to the needs of others and the joy of bringing Jesus to them.
The Nativity of Jesus
God becomes a child and is born in a manger. Ask for a heart free of attachments that recognizes Jesus in what is simple and small.
The Presentation in the Temple
Mary and Joseph present the Child to the Lord, and Simeon recognizes him as a light for the nations. Ask for the generosity to offer God what you love most.
The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple
After three days of anguish, Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the Temple, about his Father's business. Ask never to lose Jesus, and to seek him every day.
Luminous Mysteries
Thursday
They contemplate the public life of Jesus, where he is revealed as the light of the world. Added by Saint John Paul II in 2002.
The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
Heaven opens: the Father declares “This is my beloved Son,” and the Spirit descends on Jesus. Remember your own baptism and ask to live as a child of God.
The Wedding at Cana
Mary notices “they have no wine” and tells the servants: “Do whatever he tells you.” Bring your needs to Jesus and trust in her intercession.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
Jesus proclaims: “The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” Ask for a heart ready to change, to forgive and to trust.
The Transfiguration
On the mountain the face of Jesus shines and the Father says: “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” Ask to listen to Jesus and to be transformed by him.
The Institution of the Eucharist
At the Last Supper Jesus gives himself under the signs of bread and wine. Ask for love and reverence for the Eucharist and for the desire to receive it well prepared.
Sorrowful Mysteries
Tuesday and Friday
They contemplate the Passion of Jesus: his gift of himself out of love, even to death on the cross.
The Agony in the Garden
Jesus, in anguish, prays: “Not my will, but yours be done.” Ask for the strength to accept God's will in difficult moments.
The Scourging at the Pillar
Jesus is scourged for our sins. Offer him your own sufferings and ask for a pure heart able to overcome itself.
The Crowning with Thorns
Jesus is mocked, a king crowned with thorns. Ask for humility and courage when you are ridiculed or looked down on for living your faith.
The Carrying of the Cross
Jesus carries the cross to Calvary and Simon of Cyrene helps him. Ask for patience to bear your crosses and generosity to help those who carry theirs.
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
Jesus forgives those who crucify him and gives his life; Mary stays beside the cross. Ask for the grace to forgive from the heart and to be grateful for so great a love.
Glorious Mysteries
Wednesday and Sunday
They contemplate the triumph of Christ and of Mary: the hope of eternal life.
The Resurrection of Jesus
Christ has conquered death and the tomb is empty. Ask for a firm faith and the joy of knowing that Jesus lives.
The Ascension of the Lord
Jesus returns to the Father and promises to be with us always. Ask for hope in heaven and a desire for the things of God.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit comes down on Mary and the apostles at Pentecost. Ask for his gifts and the courage to bear witness to your faith.
The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
At the end of her earthly life Mary was taken body and soul into heavenly glory, a truth the Church defined as a dogma in 1950. Ask for the desire for heaven.
The Coronation of Mary as Queen
Mary is honored as Queen of heaven and a mother who intercedes for us. Ask to persevere in doing good until you receive the crown of glory that is promised.
The prayers of the rosary
These are the texts of all the prayers. Tap each one to read it.
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.
I believe 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, 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.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Closing Prayer
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 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.
How to pray the rosary
The rosary has an introduction, five decades and a conclusion. Each part is prayed on a different bead.
Beginning
On the crucifix: Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed.
Introduction
On the first large bead, one Our Father. On the three small beads, three Hail Marys (for faith, hope and charity), then a Glory Be.
Each decade (repeated five times)
Announce the mystery and meditate for a moment. Pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys on the small beads and a Glory Be. You may add the Fatima Prayer.
Conclusion
Pray the Hail, Holy Queen, and if you wish the Litany of Loreto, the Closing Prayer and the Sign of the Cross.
What is the Holy Rosary?
The rosary is a prayer dear to Catholics. While we repeat the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be, we contemplate with Mary the most important moments in the life of Jesus, called mysteries.
It is not about repeating words without thinking: the prayers set a calm rhythm that helps us remember and meditate. It can be prayed alone, with family or in a group, at home, on the road or before the Blessed Sacrament.
Its present form took shape during the Middle Ages and Pope Saint Pius V recommended it in 1569. In 2002, Saint John Paul II proposed the Luminous Mysteries in the apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae. On October 7 the Church celebrates the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, and October is traditionally the month of the rosary.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the rosary take?
Between 15 and 25 minutes, depending on the pace. If you are short on time, you can pray a single decade and finish the rest later.
Do I need a rosary to pray it?
Not strictly: you can count on your fingers. But a rosary helps you keep count without distraction and pray calmly, and it is a keepsake you can carry anywhere.
What if I get distracted?
It is normal. Return calmly to the prayer and to the scene of the mystery, without worry. Picturing the mystery as a simple scene helps you concentrate.
Can it be prayed in a group or as a family?
Yes. One person leads: announces the mystery and prays the first part of the Our Father and the Hail Mary, and the others answer with the second part.
Why are three Hail Marys prayed at the beginning?
It is a traditional custom: they are offered for an increase of faith, hope and charity. They can also be offered for other intentions.
Is the Fatima Prayer required?
No. It has been added after each decade since the message of Fatima (1917) and many pray it, but it is optional. The same goes for the Litany.
The prayers are the Church's traditional texts. The meditations on each mystery are a brief aid; you can replace them with ones you prefer.