How to Pray the Rosary

Step-by-Step Order

1. 1. Sign of the Cross
   Hold the crucifix and pray: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
2. 2. Apostles' Creed
   Still holding the crucifix, pray the Apostles' Creed.
3. 3. Our Father
   On the first large bead, pray one Our Father.
4. 4. Three Hail Marys
   On the next three small beads, pray three Hail Marys — traditionally for the gifts of faith, hope, and love.
5. 5. Glory Be
   Pray the Glory Be on the chain or space before the next large bead.
6. 6. Announce the First Mystery
   State the day's first Mystery (e.g., "The Annunciation") and pray the Our Father on the next large bead.
7. 7. Ten Hail Marys
   On each of the ten small beads of the first decade, pray a Hail Mary while meditating on the Mystery.
8. 8. Glory Be + Fatima Prayer
   After the tenth Hail Mary, pray the Glory Be. Many add the 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."
9. 9. Repeat for Decades 2-5
   Announce each subsequent Mystery and repeat the same pattern (Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be, Fatima Prayer) for the remaining four decades.
10. 10. Hail Holy Queen + Closing Prayer
    After the fifth decade, pray the Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina) and the traditional closing prayer of the Rosary. Conclude with the Sign of the Cross.

The Four Sets of Mysteries

History of the Rosary

The Rosary in its current form developed gradually between the 12th and 16th centuries. Tradition attributes its institution to medieval saints — particularly Saint Dominic (1170-1221), who reportedly received it from the Virgin Mary in a vision. The structure of three sets of Mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious) was formalized in the 16th century.

For 400 years, those three sets totaled 15 decades. In 2002, Pope John Paul II added the Luminous Mysteries (the "Mysteries of Light") in his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, bringing the total to 20 decades and covering the public ministry of Christ — which the original 15 Mysteries had jumped over (from his finding in the Temple at age 12 directly to his Agony in the Garden).

The Rosary remains the most widely-prayed Catholic devotion after the Mass itself. October is traditionally the "Month of the Rosary" in Catholic devotion, with October 7 the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.