The Rosary has been around since 800, yet it has undergone several changes since then to become what we know today. Beautiful contemplation on Jesus and the Holy Virgin Mary’s lives is encouraged by the Rosary. Whether recited in solitude or in the company of others, the Rosary is a versatile prayer that can be offered to God for a wide variety of purposes via the intercession of Our Blessed Mother.
In 1214, the Rosary as we know it today was bestowed upon Saint Dominic of Guzman by the Blessed Virgin herself. She gave it to him in order to protect the faithful from the heretics and sinners of her day, and she commanded him to instruct others in its recitation and to disseminate it globally. Promoting Holy Rosary devotion remains the shared duty of all Catholics.
Christians have been praying the Rosary and contemplating its 15 mysteries, all of which center on the lives of Jesus Christ and Mary since ancient times. St. Pope John Paul II added five further mysteries, called the Luminous Mysteries, in 2002. So, at the moment, we contemplate 20 mysteries.
We’ll jump right into explaining the Rosary prayer method. Beginning Catholics are encouraged to pray one mystery (or one “decade” of 10 Hail Marys) per day. No time is ever too late to begin 😉
The Rosary? What is it?
Prayer using the Rosary entails thinking about specific moments in Jesus’ life as seen by his mother, Mary.
This internal reflection is at the center of the Rosary. Consideration, reflection, and meditation on the subject matter at hand constitute the spiritual practice known as contemplation. The scenario becomes real and tangible to us because we place ourselves there. It’s a kind of prayer that allows us to concentrate on Jesus’s life and learn from him.
In many respects, the Rosary is like praying with Mary and seeing Jesus through her eyes. It is written that Mary “collected all these words, considering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Thus, St. John Paul the Great argued that the Rosary, despite its Marian associations, is fundamentally Christocentric. In other words, it is a prayer about Jesus and his life.
The rose is one of the flowers chosen to represent the Virgin Mary, and the word “rosary” means “a garland of roses” in Latin.
It’s a beautiful and straightforward prayer that centers on Jesus.
The Nuts and Bolts
Roman Catholics today typically use rosaries with 59 beads. The Our Father is prayed with the six larger beads, while the Hail Mary is recited with the fifty-three smaller beads. The Hail, Holy Queen, the Glory Be, and the Apostles’ Creed are also included in the recitation of the rosary.
The bulk of the rosary consists of the five decades, or strings of ten tiny beads.
If you’d like to follow along, here’s a handy How to Pray the Rosary Guide you can print out and use as a reference.
Explaining the Rosary’s Basic Layout:
Preface Prayers
Timespan: Decades
Praises Said at the End
The Opening Affirmations:
The rosary can’t begin until the opening prayers are said. They help you get in the mood for more introspective prayer over the decades. Bring to Mary your wants and struggles, either before or after the opening prayers. Like a nurturing mother, she wants to pray for you and bring your concerns to Jesus.
First, make the sign of the cross. We pray to God the Father, Jesus Christ our Lord, and the Holy Spirit.
Second, while grasping the cross, recite the Apostles’ Creed.
Third, recite the “Our Father” prayer on the next lone bead. This is a typical expression of support for the Pope’s work.
Forth, Recite the Hail Mary on the next three beads. Faith, hope, and love can be reflected upon while you count these beads.
The fifth step is to recite the “Glory Be” prayer on the next empty bead.
The Rosary’s main body consists of five “decades,” or sets of ten smaller beads. Each decade’s prayers are repeated several times. Here is your chance to ponder the words, which have profound roots in the Bible and Christian history. They have a lot of weight and symbolic importance.
First, reveal the first mystery on the bead or symbol preceding the initial 10 beads.
Second, after that, say a “Our Father” prayer.
Third, recite one Hail Mary on each of the following 10 beads.
Fourth, afterward, say the “Glory Be” prayer.
Fifth: Afterward, say a “O My Jesus” prayer.
Sixth, when you get to the next single bead, reveal the following puzzle.
Seventh, quickly after, say a “Our Father.”
When you reach the next four Mysteries, repeat the sequence of 10 “Hail Marys,” “Glory Be,” and “O My Jesus” until you have completed a full round of the Rosary.
First, after saying “O My Jesus” for the last time, say “Hail Holy Queen.” This is the first of the concluding prayers.
Second, quickly say “Let Us Pray” afterward.
Third, conclude with the Cross Sign.
Prayers
If you’d like to print out some Rosary prayers, this handy PDF is perfect for you.
Apostles’ Creed
We confess that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; that He descended into hell; that He rose again the third day; that He ascended into heaven; that He is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; that He will come again to judge the living and the dead. Among the many things I have faith in are the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life. Amen.
Lord, You Are
Hallowed be Thy name, O Father in Heaven; let Thy Kingdom come, let Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Forgive us our transgressions as we forgive those who trespass against us; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from harm; and give us only today the food we need to survive. Amen.
Praise Be
Thank you, God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The same as it was at the start is the same today and forever more till the end of time. Amen.
Oh, Lord (The Fatima Prayer)
Please, dear Jesus, pardon our sins. Keep us from burning in hell. Please let everyone into paradise, but especially those who are in the most need of your kindness. Amen.
We pray to Mary
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Mother of God, Holy Mary, please intercede for us sinners, both now and at the moment of our death. Amen.
Blessed Queen
Blessed Mother, Holy Queen, you are our precious life and our only hope. Poor exiled offspring of Eve, to thee we raise our pleading prayers; to thee we heave our sorrowful sighs here in this valley of tears. And after this terrible exile, show unto us the blessed product of thy womb, Jesus. Oh holy, lovely, heavenly Mary!
O Blessed Mother of God, pray for us, that we may be worthy to receive Christ’s blessings.
Pray With Me (The Rosary Prayer)
Pray with me. God, His one and only Son Jesus Christ paid the price of our eternal redemption with His own blood. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray that, as we contemplate these mysteries of the Rosary, we may learn from them and live up to their promises. Amen. Dear Jesus, mercy from your most holy heart. Please intercede on our behalf, Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Rosary’s Sacred Mysteries
- The Mysteries of the Rosary
- Mysteries of The Glorious
- Mysteries of The Joyful
- Mysteries of The Sorrowful
- Mysteries of The Luminous
In case you’d want to print out some helpful information about the Mysteries of the Rosary, Check out the pdf guides below.
Each bead represents a different mystery from the life of Mary or Jesus. Before beginning each decade of Hail Marys, we reveal the scene that will be reflected upon during the prayer. The Glorious Mysteries, the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, and the Luminous Mysteries are the four groups that make up the total of 20 mysteries. As part of their faith, Catholics around the world regularly recite the Rosary Mysteries on specific days of the week and at specific times of the year.
Learning which mysteries are prayed on which days requires some memorization. An easy way to accomplish that is explained below.
The Mysteries of the Rosary
Except during the seasons of Lent and Advent, the Five Glorious Mysteries are prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays.
- Resurrection, the First Mysterious Event
- This leads us to the second mystery: the ascension.
- The Nativity is the tird mystery
- Fourth Mystery: Assumption
Mary’s coronation is the subject of the fifth mystery.
Mysteries of The Joyful
During Advent, the Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays are set aside to pray the Five Joyful Mysteries.
- First Mysterious Event: The Annunciation
- Part Two of the Enigma: The Visit
- The Nativity as Third Mystery
- The Presentation in the Temple, the Fourth Mystery
- Jesus’s discovery as a toddler in the Temple constitutes the fifth mystery.
Mysteries of The Sorrowful
The customary days of prayer for the Five Sorrowful Mysteries during Lent are the Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
- This is the first of the mysteries: the Garden of Distress.
- The Pillar Scourging: Mystery Number Two
- The Throne of Thorns, the Third Mysterious Event
- The Mystery of the Cross Bearers (4th in Sequence)
- Death on the Cross (the Fifth Mystery)
Mysteries of The Luminous
Pope John Paul II inaugurated the Thursday prayer of the Five Luminous Mysteries in 2002.
- Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan River is the Holy Family’s first mystery.
- As for the second, it’s the wedding feast in Cana, which has always been a mystery.
- Proclamation of the Kingdom: the Third Mystery
- Transfiguration, the Fourth Mystery
- The Eucharist as the Fifth Mysterious Event
In your announcement of the Mystery, consider the setting for a moment, and then launch into the decade.
Each mystery announcement can be prefaced with a reading from the matching passage of scripture, which will assist listeners better visualize the event being described. Here is a sample of the Scriptures that can be used in each Rosary.
Complementary Scripture
Resurrection, the First Mysterious Event
Luke 24:1-12
But first thing in the morning on that first day of the week, they took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. The tomb’s stone had been rolled away, but when they entered, they came up empty. As they pondered this, two men dressed in finery appeared beside them. The men addressed them, asking, “Why do you seek the live among the dead?” The men’s words struck fear into their hearts, and they dropped to the ground, burying their faces. He has ascended and is no longer present. The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day rise, just as he told you while still in Galilee. They recalled his words and returned from the grave to inform the eleven and the others. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women present at the time told the apostles this, but the men did not take their statements seriously because they thought them to be nothing more than a fanciful story. Peter, however, got up and raced to the tomb; he stooped and looked inside, and saw the linen cloths by themselves; he then returned home, perplexed as to what had transpired.
Ascension, the Second Mystery (Acts 1:6-11)
As a result, when they finally assembled, they posed the question, “Lord, will you at this moment restore the kingdom to Israel?” To this, he replied, “It is not for you to know periods or seasons which the Father has determined by his own authority. But you will be given authority when the Holy Spirit descends upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. And as they watched, he was suddenly hoisted into the air, and a cloud hid him from their sight. When he left, they were staring up at the sky, when lo and behold, two men in white robes appeared and asked, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? The same manner you witnessed Jesus ascend to heaven is the exact way he will return to earth.
Third Mystery, Coming of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1-4
They had gathered in one spot as the Day of Pentecost approached. Then, all at once, a roaring sound, like the gust of a powerful wind, echoed through the home. And tongues of fire appeared to them, dotting and resting on each of them. And all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and started to speak in different languages as the Spirit enabled them to do so.
The Assumption: The Fourth Mystery
Luke 13:18-20 Judith
Lord God, who made heaven and earth, be praised for sending thee on a mission to eliminate our most formidable foe. All of these things have come about because of your efforts; you’ve done a lot of good for Israel, and the Almighty is happy with you for it. And everyone agreed, “Let it be.”
Revelation 12:1-6: The Fifth Mystery, Mary’s Coronation
And a sign in the sky: a pregnant woman wearing the sun as her cloak, the moon at her feet, and a crown of twelve stars upon her head, crying out in pain as she gave birth. And another sign arrived in the sky: a huge red dragon with seven heads, 10 horns, and seven crowns on his heads. One-third of the stars in the sky were brought crashing down to Earth by the sweep of his tail. And the dragon was standing before the woman who was about to give birth, to devour her child at birth; and she gave birth to a son, a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and the man was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, to be nourished there for a thousand and two hundred and sixty days.
The Answer Lies in Meditation
Catholics reflect on the mystery or scene linked with each decade of the rosary as they repeat its twelve prayers. They are losing the point of the rosary if they only say the prayers, whether out loud or in their minds. Some people think the rosary is dull, pointless, and worthless since they don’t know about the meditation component.
A prayer of the Rosary is not supposed to be a “vain repetition,” yet when we merely recite the words without thinking, the prayer loses its depth. There is supposed to be so much more to it than just words. The purpose of the Rosary, as a prayer, is to strengthen our bond with God.
We don’t just recite prayers in our heads during the Rosary. Fulton Sheen, the Reverend
The Rosary can only truly serve as a prayer if it is transformed into a contemplative practice. Following the proclamation of each mystery, the congregation will pray the Our Father and Hail Mary in an effort to more deeply reflect on the meaning of the mystery being proclaimed.
According to Father Peyton’s book The Family That Prays Together Stays Together, the Rosary is more than just a collection of prayers. As the authors themselves put it, it is “a succession of thoughts to be dwelt on, to be turned over in the mind, to be applied in daily life.”
This is a tricky idea to wrap your head around, yet it’s essential to unlocking the Rosary’s full potential. If you want your mind to engage into prayer while reciting the Rosary, try to let the words flow past you almost like a chant.
The founder of Opus Dei, Saint Josemaria Escriva, offers an explanation for this method. “Vocal prayer for a Christian must originate in the depths of the soul, so that while saying the Rosary, the mind may enter into contemplation of each of the mysteries.”
Another easy-to-implement proposal from St. Josemaria Escriva that is frequently disregarded. He stresses the importance of saying the Our Father and Hail Mary slowly and clearly. By doing this, our devotion to Jesus and Mary will be enhanced. It’s easy to get into the habit of mumbling and hurrying through the Rosary. Unique prayers were provided to us. Understanding the significance of these words, and entering into a prayerful attitude, might be aided by recalling that the Our Father was passed down to us from Jesus and that the Hail Mary is taken directly from Scripture.
Download the PDF Below for a more Comprehensive View:
In Conclusion, We’re excited to join you in reciting the Rosary. Save or download the illustrated guide we have supplied if you would want a PDF guide for praying the Rosary.