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How do I Pray the Rosary?

Introduction

a rosaryThe rosary is a popular form of prayer which uses a set of beads and repeated prayer as a means of bringing the one praying to deeper contemplation of aspects of Our Lord's life. A traditional set of rosary beads has 5 groups of ten beads (a decade) on a loop with a larger bead in between each group. In place of one of the large beads is usually a medallion depicting Our Lady and a short chain with 5 beads and a crucifix at the end. For each decade of the rosary there is a 'mystery', an event in the life of Our Lord, to meditate on, and there are four sets of mysteries, the Joyful, the Sorrowful, the Glorious and the Luminous (see below). The rosary can be prayed on one's own, or in a group - at St Thomas' the rosary is recited by members of the Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham whenever possible after the mass of Our Lady of Walsingham (last Saturday of the month) and all are welcome.

History

The rosary is said to have been given to St Dominic in a vision in 1214 though the present from of the devotion and the three traditional sets of 'mysteries' come from the 16th century, and a fourth set of 'mysteries' were added by Pope John Paul II in 2002. The practice of using a string of beads or knotted cords as a way of counting repeated prayers is much older however: some Jews used knotted cords to count the psalms and a fourth century-hermit threw pebbles into a pile to count the 300 recitations of the Lord's Prayer he made each day. Early in the 12th century the practice emerged of recititing the Our Father and later the Hail Mary 150 times for the 150 psalms, which few ordinary people would have had access to. The Our Father and the first part of the Hail Mary, the prayers at the heart of the rosary, both come straight from scripture.

Praying the Rosary

The devotion begins with introductory prayers using the short 'tail' of beads.

  • On the crucifix, say the Apostles' Creed.
  • On the first bead, pray the Our Father.
  • On each of the next three beads, pray the Hail Mary.
  • On the next bead, pray the Glory Be.

Then the following prayers are said for each decade:

  • Announce or contemplate the mystery for the decade.
  • On the large bead (or medallion) pray the Our Father.
  • On each of the next ten beads, pray the Hail Mary.
  • On the next large bead, pray the Glory Be.

At the end, the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen) is usually recited.

The Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Mondays and Saturdays, and recall the events of Christ's birth:

  1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-28)
  2. The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56)
  3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-21)
  4. The Presentation (Luke 2:22-38)
  5. The Find of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)

The Luminous Mysteries (or Mysteries of Light) are traditionally prayed on Thursdays and recall Christ's ministry:

  1. The Baptism in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-16)
  2. The Wedding Feast at Cana (John 2:1-11)
  3. The Preaching of the Coming of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15)
  4. The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8)
  5. The Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Matthew 26)

The Sorrowful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays and recall Christ's suffering and death:

  1. The Agony of Jesus in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-56)
  2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26)
  3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-31)
  4. The Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:32)
  5. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-56)

The Glorious Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Wednesdays and Saturdays and recall Christ's victory and the glories of heaven:

  1. The Resurrection (John 20:1-29)
  2. The Ascension (Luke 24:36-53)
  3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-41)
  4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven (cf Revelation 12:1-6)
  5. The Coronation of Mary in Heaven (cf Revelation 12:1-6)

Why pray the rosary?

Praying the rosary is a way of joining with Christians all round the world in prayer, and it is easy: you do not need books and you can even pray it without beads by counting on your fingers. It provides a way of stilling fidgiting fingers and wandering minds whilst meditating on Our Lord's life and the glories he has won for us. Some people object that the focus is too much on Mary and not Jesus; in fact the mysteries focus very much on the life of Jesus, and the prayers are thoroughly scriptural; having said that it is important to recognise the role Our Lady played - as the woman who gave birth to the Son of God, as an example of obedience and holiness, and who prays constantly for us as our own mother. True devotion to the mother of Our Lord can do none other than lead us to a deeper love of Him, and the rosary is a wonderful expression of this.

Resources

If you buy a rosary, it may come with a leaflet containing the prayers and the mysteries, or you can buy one separately. Rosaries and leaflets or cards with the mysteries are usually on sale in the Church Centre. You can also buy them online or in person from the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

There are many websites with information about the rosary. The Catholic Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore has an interactive online rosary.

The Rosary Prayers

The Apostle's 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 Ghost, 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, sitteth 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.

The Our Father*
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; They 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.

The 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.

The Glory Be*
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Salve Regina (used at the end)
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 us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

*when the rosary is recited in a group, the first part of these prayers (in italics) is usually said by the leader.