What is the Rosary?
Praying the Rosary is very simple. At first it will probably seem complicated, but after you pray it a couple of times, it becomes like second nature. In fact, it's much more complicated to talk about it than to pray it.
The word Rosary has two main meanings: the physical object, comprised of a string of beads, a medal, and a cross; and the prayer for which this physical object is used as a guide. You don't need the object to pray the Rosary, but the beads will help you keep track of where you are as you pray. Moreover, the Rosary, as a physical object, is a sacred object, the presence of which in your home or pocket is, in a certain sense, a constant prayer offered to God, through Mary.
When we pray the Rosary, we start with the cross, say a prayer, then move on to the first bead and say a prayer, then move to the second bead and say a prayer, and continue in this manner until all of the beads are covered. (Whether we go from left to right, or from right to left probably makes no difference.) (Note: You will find all of the prayers at the end of this article.)
The basic configuration of the prayer is simple: the Rosary consists of a Cross, a medal, individual beads, and consecutive beads. For the cross, we pray the Apostles' Creed , for the individual beads, the Our Father, and for the consecutive beads, the Hail Mary. After all of the beads have been covered, it is customary to say some concluding prayers (see below), including petitions (if the petitions have not already been stated), which can be understood to correspond to the medal. (Otherwise, the medal has no corresponding prayers.)
The Rosary can be divided into three parts: the introduction, the five decades, and the conclusion. The introduction consists of the cross and the four beads following it, which together mean the Apostles' Creed, one Our Father , and three Hail Mary. The five decades each consist of one individual bead and ten consecutive beads -- that is of one Our Father, and ten Hail Mary. The concluding prayers can be any Marian prayer, related prayers, and the petitions for which the Rosary is prayed (if the petitions have not already been stated). (See the end of the article for some sample concluding prayers.)
Each decade is devoted to a particular event in the life of Jesus or of the Virgin Mary. For the purposes of the Rosary, these are called mysteries. The focus is always on Jesus. But since the Virgin Mary, as the Mother of Jesus, had (and continues to have) a special relationship with Christ, the Rosary is designed to help us contemplate Christ and His love for humanity through His Mother -- and Our Mother -- on whom He has lavished so much love.
Since the Rosary has five decades, each of which corresponds to one mystery, there are five mysteries for each Rosary. Finally, there are four sets of five mysteries: 1) the Joyful Mysteries , 2) the Luminous Mysteries , 3) the Sorrowful Mysteries , and 4) the Glorious Mysteries.
The mysteries are the following:
(The custom is to pray each set of mysteries on the days of the week indicated -- but that is just a custom.)
The Joyful Mysteries:
(Mondays and Saturdays; and the Sundays from 1st Sunday of Advent and after Epiphany until Lent.)
- The Annunciation: Archangel Gabriel "announces" to Mary that she shall conceive the Son of God. Spiritual Fruit: Humility.
- The Visitation: Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. Spiritual Fruit: Love of Neighbor.
- The Nativity: Jesus is born. Spiritual Fruit: Poverty of Spirit.
- The Presentation: Mary and Joseph "present" Jesus in the Temple where they meet Simeon. Spiritual Fruit: Purity of mind and body.
- The Finding in the Temple: After losing Him, Mary and Joseph find young Jesus teaching the Rabbis in the Temple. Spiritual Fruit: Obedience.
The Luminous Mysteries (The Mysteries of Light) :
(Thursday.)
- The Baptism in the Jordan: The voice of the Father declares Jesus the beloved Son. Spiritual Fruit: Sacrament of Baptism.
- The Wedding at Cana: Christ changes water into wine, his first public miracle. Spiritual Fruit: Fidelity.
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom: Jesus calls to conversion (cf. Mk 1:15) and forgives the sins of all who draw near to him in humble trust. Spiritual Fruit: Desire for Holiness.
- The Transfiguration: The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ. Spiritual Fruit: Spiritual Courage. .
- The Institution of the Eucharist: Christ offers his body and blood as food. Spiritual Fruit: Love of our Eucharistic Lord.
The Sorrowful Mysteries:
(Tuesdays and Fridays; and the Sundays of Lent.)
- The Agony in the Garden: Jesus sweats water and blood while praying the night before his passion. Spiritual Fruit: God's Will be done.
- The Scourging at the Pillar: Pilot has Jesus whipped. Spiritual Fruit: Mortification of the senses.
- The Crowning with Thorns: Roman soldiers crown Jesus' head with thorns. Spiritual Fruit: Reign of Christ in our heart.
- The Carrying of the Cross: Jesus meets His mother and falls three times on the way up Calvary. Spiritual Fruit: Patient bearing of trials.
- The Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies before His mother and His apostle John. Spiritual Fruit: Pardoning of Injuries.
The Glorious Mysteries:
(Wednesdays and Sundays after Easter until Advent.)
- The Resurrection: Jesus rises from the dead. Spiritual Fruit: Faith.
- The Ascension: Jesus leaves the Apostles and bodily "ascends" to heaven. Spiritual Fruit: Christian Hope.
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit: The Apostles receive the Holy Spirit in tongues of fire in the upper room with Mary. Spiritual Fruit: Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- The Assumption: Mary is taken bodily--assumed--into heaven by God at the end of her life here on earth. Spiritual Fruit: To Jesus through Mary.
- The Coronation: Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth. Spiritual Fruit: Grace of Final Perseverance.
How to Pray the Rosary
The Introduction:
-- kiss the cross, and make the Sign of the Cross
-- at the cross -- say the Apostles' Creed.
-- at the first individual bead -- say one Our Father.
-- at each of the three consecutive beads -- say Hail Mary.
For each Mystery:
-- state the Mystery
-- optional: state the prayer intention for this mystery
-- at the individual bead -- say one Our Father.
-- at each of the ten consecutive beads -- say Hail Mary.
-- after the 10th, say Glory Be and then, if you wish, say the Fatima Prayer
Conclusion:
-- a Marian prayer (Hail Holy Queen)
-- if desired, a general prayer (Let Us Pray) , such as a prayer to the Holy Spirit
-- statement of intentions, if not made earlier (the intentions could also be stated at the very beginning)
Note: The usual concluding prayer in the United States appears to be the (Hail Holy Queen), but other prayers, like the Memorare of St. Bernard , are just as suitable.-- finally, make the Sign of the Cross, and then kiss the cross on the Rosary
The Prayers
The Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Apostle's Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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 are in Heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your kingdom come; Your 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 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:
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.
Fatima Prayer:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Your Mercy. Amen.
Note: According to the testimony of the Fatima visionaries, Our Lady herself had requested in one of her apparitions that we pray the O My Jesus prayer at the end of each decade. The apparent universal willingness of the Catholic faithful around the world to comply with this wish is a living testimony to the authenticity of the visionaries' claim.)
Hail, Holy Queen:
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 towards us. And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
- Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.- That we may be made worthy of the proomises 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 You, that meditating upon these Mysteries of the 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.
The Memorare of St. Bernard:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee I come; before thee I stand sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.