• What is a Rosary?
• How to Pray the Rosary
• Prayers of the Rosary
• Mysteries of the Rosary
• Rosary Making

A rosary is simply a set of prayer beads as shown in the picure below.  Each bead represents a different prayer, and the beads are grouped so as to remind you of which prayer is said when.
 

Use the illustration shown to guide you as you read the instructions following.

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the "Apostles Creed."
2. Say the "Our Father."
3. Say 3 "Hail Marys."
4. Say the "Glory be to the Father."
5. Announce the First Mystery, then say the "Our Father."
6. Say ten "Hail Marys" while meditating on the Mystery.   This is called a 'decade.'
7. Say the "Glory be to the Father."
8. After each decade say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima:  "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy."
9. Announce the Second Mystery, then say the "Our Father."  Repeat 6, 7, and 8 and continue with the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner.
10. Say the "Hail Holy Queen" after the five decades are completed.
11. As a general rule, the Joyful Mysteries are said on Monday and Thursday; the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday and Friday, the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday and Saturday.  Depending on the Season, each of the Mysteries is recommended for Sunday.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

The Apostles 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 born of the Virgin Mary.  He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.  He decended 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 in glory 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 the 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

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. to you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears; Turn then most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your 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 promises of Christ.

There are 3 sets of Mysteries of the Rosary. These mysteries are to be meditated on while praying the repetitive prayers of a rosary's decades. Each deals with a separate episode in the life of Jesus Christ.

            Joyful Mysteries

• The Annunciation
• The Visitation
• The Birth of Jesus
• The Presentation
• Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple

• The Agony in the Garden
• The Scourging at the Pillar
• Crowning with Thorns
• Carrying of the Cross
• The Crucifixion

• The Resurrection
• The Ascention
• Descent of the Holy Spirit
• The Assumptioin
• The Coronation

I began making Rosaries about 10 years ago, worked diligently at it for awhile, and then lapsed.  When I found out recently that my niece is going to be born in December, and then require immediate surgery to correct a diaphramatic hernia, I began again and find great comfort in it as I pray for my sister and the baby.  My brother-in-law is also making rosaries now too.

There is an organization called 'Our Lady's Rosary Makers' who provide the materials at very low cost - enough for 10 rosaries for $1.00.  Their only stipulation is that rosaries made from these materials be given away free.  A monthly newsletter provides missionaries' addresses as a suggestion of where to send them.  I have sent 2 shipments in the past and have about 50 done and will be sending them out to a missionary when I get next month's bulletin.  

If you are interested in becoming a rosary maker, feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Or contact Our Lady's Rosary Makers

Rosary.org