From Michelangelo's painting of the Last Judgement An angel pulls a group of souls into heaven via the Rosary "Blessed Rosary of Mary, sweet chain linking us to God" - John Paul II

How to Pray the Rosary

(Note Bene: The new Luminous Mysteries have been added to the PDF printout
included below. Details are included in the Holy Father's Apostolic Letter
Rosarium Virginis Maraie of 16 October 2002. )

   To recite the Rosary is nothing other than to contemplate with Mary the Face of Christ. The purpose of the Rosary is to help keep in memory certain principal events or mysteries in the history of our salvation, and to thank and praise God for them.

In the recent (16 Oct 2002) words of Pope John Paul II, - - -    "Consequently, for the Rosary to become more fully a 'compendium of the Gospel', it is fitting to add, following reflection on the Incarnation and the hidden life of Christ (the joyful mysteries) and before focusing on the sufferings of His Passion (the sorrowful mysteries) and the triumph of His Resurrection (the glorious mysteries), a meditation on certain particularly significant moments in His Public Ministry (the mysteries of light). - - - - -  In proposing to the Christian community five significant moments 'luminous' mysteries during this phase of Christ's life, I think that the following can be fittingly singled out:

His Baptism in the Jordan,

His self-manifestation at the Wedding of Cana,

His proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His call to conversion (i.e. the Forgiveness of Sins)

His Transfiguration, and finally, 

His Institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery.

Each of these mysteries is a revelation of the Kingdom now present in the very person of Jesus.

At the start of a millennium which began with the terrifying attacks of 11 September 2001, a millennium which witnesses every day innumerous parts of the world fresh scenes of bloodshed and violence, to rediscover the Rosary means to immerse oneself in contemplation of the Mystery of Christ Who “is our peace”, since He made “the Two of us one, and broke down the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14).

I therefore proclaim the year from October 2002 to October 2003 the Year of the Rosary."

From the Vatican, on the 16th day of October in the year 2002, the beginning of the twenty- fifth year of my Pontificate.

JOHN PAUL II

Consequently, there are now twenty (20) mysteries reflected upon in the Rosary, and these are divided into the five (5) Joyful Mysteries; the five (5) Sorrowful Mysteries; the five (5) Glorious Mysteries; and the five (5) Luminous Mysteries. As a rule, the Joyful Mysteries are said on Monday and Saturday; the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday and Friday; the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday; and the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday. During the Christmas Season the Joyful Mysteries are said on Sunday; and during the Lenten Season the Sorrowful Mysteries are said.

Virtual Rosary is small Rosary guide (<1.5 Meg) which also includes the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Virtual Rosary is available free from http://www.virtualrosary.org/dload.php.

	Click on the Rosary image on the left to display a page in Adobe PDF format on How to Pray the Rosary. This page contains the new Luminous Mysteries and can then be downloaded/saved to your computer and printed for future use.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to read and print Adobe PDF format and can be downloaded free. Since all Federal IRS Forms use Adobe PDF format, download now and avoid the rush.

Sequence of Prayers

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the Apostles Creed.
2. Say the Our Father.
3. Say three (3) Hail Marys.
4. Say the Glory be to the Father.
5. Announce the First Mystery; then say the Our Father.
6. Say ten (10) Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery.
7. Say the Glory be to the Father.
8. Announce the Second Mystery; then say the Our Father.
9. Repeat steps 6 and 7; and continue with the Third, Fourth and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner. Then say the Hail, Holy Queen.

   

   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; the third day he arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall 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 to the Father

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.

Hail, Holy Queen; and other prayers after the Rosary

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.

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 meditating upon 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.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who wander throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Most sacred heart of Jesus have mercy on us.

Most sacred heart of Jesus have mercy on us.

Most sacred heart of Jesus have mercy on us.  Amen

Prayer Before a Crucifix Behold, kind and most sweet Jesus, I cast myself upon my knees in Thy sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul, I pray and beseech Thee that Thou wouldst impress upon my heart lively sentiments of Faith, Hope and Charity, with true repentance for my sins, and a firm desire of amendment, whilst with deep affection and grief of soul I ponder within myself, and mentally contemplate Thy five most precious wounds, having before my eyes that which David, in prophecy, made Thee say concerning Thyself, O good Jesus: "They have pierced My hands and My feet; they have numbered all My bones".

   Audio Links to Hosted Rosaries   

(Requires RealPlayer 7 Basic)

EWTN's International Rosary

Mother Angelica's Rosary

Rosary in the Holyland

Scriptual Rosary

Our Lady Presenting the First Rosary to St. Dominic

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Novena
(To be said with a daily Rosary)

My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart, and for this special favor which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: 

(Mention your request).

I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God’s holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.

I offer you this spiritual “Bouquet of Roses” because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.