How to Pray the Holy Rosary
A beginner-friendly step-by-step guide to the Holy Rosary. Follow the steps on the left as the beads light up on the right.
Step 1: The Crucifix
Hold the crucifix. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, then pray the Apostles' Creed.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
Step 2: The First Large Bead
Move to the first large bead above the crucifix. Pray the Our Father for the intentions of the Holy 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.
Step 3: Three Small Beads
On each of the next three small beads, pray one Hail Mary. Offer them for growth in faith, hope, and charity. After the third Hail Mary, pray the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
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, 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.
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 Thy mercy.
Step 4: Begin the First Decade
At the next large bead, announce the first mystery, pause to call it to mind, and pray the Our Father.
Joyful Mysteries
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation
- The Finding in the Temple
Luminous Mysteries
- The Baptism of Christ
- The Wedding at Cana
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom
- The Transfiguration
- The Institution of the Eucharist
Sorrowful Mysteries
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning with Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion
Glorious Mysteries
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
- The Assumption of Mary
- The Coronation of Mary
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.
Step 5: Complete the Five Decades
On each of the ten small beads, pray one Hail Mary while meditating on the mystery. After the tenth Hail Mary, pray the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer. This completes one decade. For each of the four remaining mysteries, begin again at the next large bead: announce the mystery and pray the Our Father. Then pray ten Hail Marys on the small beads, followed by the Glory Be and Fatima Prayer. After the fifth decade, continue to Step 6.
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, 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.
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 Thy mercy.
Step 6: The Centerpiece
After the fifth decade, return to the centerpiece medal. Pray the Hail, Holy Queen, the versicle and response, and the Closing Prayer.
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 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 promises 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 thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the Most 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.
Step 7: Conclude the Rosary
After the closing prayer, finish with the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
You know the Rosary.
As the prayers become familiar, the beads can help you settle into a steady rhythm of meditation on the life of Christ.
Pray with the guide