the rosary is a devotion in honor of the virgin mary

About the Rosary

A DEVOTION IN HONOR OF THE VIRGIN MARY

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The Power of Organized Prayer

The Rosary is more than a prayer. It’s a journey through the life of Christ with Mary as the guide. Organized into five decades, the Rosary invites you to meditate on the mysteries of Jesus’s birth, ministry, passion, and resurrection.

The rhythm of organized prayer quiets the mind and opens the heart. The Rosary strengthens faith, bring peace, and draws you into deeper communion with God. The Rosary is a spiritual weapon, a source of comfort in trials, and a powerful way to intercede for the world.

The Marian Doctrine

The Marian doctrine is composed of four dogmas that establish Mary’s unique role in salvation history and her special place as the Mother of God.

the marian doctrine includes four marian dogmas

  • Mary is the Mother of God because she gave birth to Jesus, who is both fully human and fully divine.

  • Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin and lived a perfectly sinless life.

  • Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus, remaining a virgin her entire life.

  • Mary was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory after her earthly life.

Person holding a rosary with dark and light wooden beads and a metal cross, wearing a colorful beaded bracelet.

How to Pray the Rosary

Praying the Rosary is simple to do but profound in its effect. Use rosary beads to guide you through the Rosary.

  1. Begin at the crucifix. Make the sign of the Cross and pray the Apostle’s Creed.

  2. Move your fingers up to the first large bead. Pray an Our Father.

  3. Move your fingers across the next three small beads. Pause on each one to pray a Hail Mary.

  4. Move your fingers to the next large bead. Announce the First Mystery and pray an Our Father.

  5. Move your fingers across the centerpiece to the first small bead. Move your fingers across it the next nine small beads. Pause on each one to pray a Hail Mary as you meditate on the First Mystery.

  6. In the space between the last small bead and the next large bead, pray the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.

  7. Move your fingers to the next large bead. Announce the Second Mystery and pray an Our Father.

  8. Repeat steps 5 through 7 for the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Mysteries.

  9. After the Glory Be and Fatima Prayer at the close of the Fifth Mystery, move your fingers to the centerpiece. Pray the Hail Holy Queen to close your Rosary prayer.

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The Five Mysteries

The Mysteries of the Rosary are events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. There are 20 mysteries total, grouped into four sets. Different sets are prayed on different days. Each set of mysteries helps you reflect on a different part of Christ’s life: His coming, His suffering, His triumph, and His mission.

Sundays

Five Glorious Mysteries

Mondays

Five Joyful Mysteries

Tuesdays

Five Sorrowful Mysteries

Wednesdays

Five Glorious Mysteries

Thursdays

Five Luminous Mysteries

Fridays

Five Sorrowful Mysteries

Saturdays

Five Joyful Mysteries

Prayers in the Rosary

There are six prayers used in the Rosary. The Rosary starts with the Apostle’s Creed and moves through repetitions of Our Fathers, Hail Marys, Glory Bes, and Fatima Prayers before ending with one Hail Holy Queen.

Close-up of a hand holding a wooden rosary with a wooden cross, backlit to highlight the beads and cross.

  • 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;

    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, 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, full of grace, the Lord is with you;

    blessed are you among women,

    and blessed is the fruit of your 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, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;

    as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

    world without end.

    Amen.

  • O my Jesus, forgive us, save us from the fire of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are most in need.

  • Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,

    our life, our sweetness, and our hope.

    To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve;

    to you we send up our sighs,

    mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

    Turn, then, most gracious advocate,

    your eyes of mercy toward us;

    and after this, our exile,

    show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

    O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.