30-day journey
How to Pray the Rosary
A complete step-by-step guide to praying the Holy Rosary, including all four sets of mysteries.
The Rosary is one of the most beloved prayers in the Catholic tradition. Pope John Paul II called it "a compendium of the Gospel." Each decade meditates on a mystery from the life of Christ and Mary.
Steps
- 1
Hold the crucifix
Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles' Creed.
- 2
First large bead
Pray one Our Father.
- 3
Three small beads
Pray three Hail Marys for faith, hope, and charity.
- 4
Glory Be
Pray the Glory Be, then announce the first mystery and meditate briefly.
- 5
Each decade
Pray one Our Father on the large bead, ten Hail Marys on the small beads, and one Glory Be. Add the Fatima prayer: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins…
- 6
Repeat
Continue for all five decades of the chosen set of mysteries.
- 7
Conclude
After the fifth decade pray the Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina) and the closing prayer.