Learning how to pray the Rosary in 2023 is a beautiful practice to grow in your faith. The Rosary is a series of prayers and meditations on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a prayer that can help us grow in our faith and strengthen our bond with Jesus Christ.

Below is a guide on How to Pray the Rosary, as well as a PDF Guide that is free and printable. Please use the guide to help yourself or others learn to pray the Holy Rosary. 

Catholics pray the Rosary for a multitude of reasons. Some people pray the Rosary to strengthen their faith, while others pray it for specific intentions, such as the healing of a loved one or world peace. During difficult times, the Rosary can also be a source of comfort and strength.

Regardless of your motivation for praying the Rosary, it can bring you closer to God and Mary. It is a straightforward prayer that anyone can recite, and it can have a profound effect on your life.

How to Pray the Rosary:

The Rosary Prayer is broken into three parts, the introduction, the five decades and the closing prayers.

• Introduction, consisting of the Sign of the Cross, Apostles Creed, Our Father, 3 Hail Mary's, and the Glory Be.
• Five Decades, consisting of the Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's, the Glory Be, and O My Jesus. Each Decade focuses on a different mystery (story from Jesus's life).
• Closing Prayers, consisting of the Hail Holy Queen, Let us Pray, and Sign of the Cross.

The Introductory Prayers:

The introductory prayers set the stage for the Rosary. They prepare you for deeper reflection when you pray the decades. Either before or after the introductory prayers, think of any needs or struggles in your life and bring them to Mary. She cares for you like a loving mother, and wants to take your needs to Jesus.

Step 1 - Start by with the Sign of the Cross. "In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Step 2 - While holding the crucifix, say the "Apostles Creed."

Step 3 - On the next single bead, pray the "Our Father." This is commonly said for the Holy Father's intentions.

Step 4 - On the next three beads, pray the "Hail Mary." These beads are for meditating on the virtues of faith, hope and love.

Step 5 - On the next single bead, pray the "Glory Be."

The Decades:

There are five decades, or groups of 10 small beads, that make up the main portion of the rosary. You’ll find that the prayers for each decade are repeated many times. This gives you an opportunity to reflect on the words, which are deeply rooted in the Bible and Christian tradition. They are powerful and filled with meaning.

Step 1 - On the bead or symbol before the first 10 bead section, first announce the first mystery.

Step 2 - Immediately following, pray the "Our Father."

Step 3 - On the next 10 beads, on each bead pray the "Hail Mary."

Step 4 - Immediately following, pray the "Glory Be."

Step 5 - Immediately following, pray the "O My Jesus."

Step 6 - On the next single bead, announce the next mystery.

Step 7 - Immediately following, pray the "Our Father."

Continue with the 10 "Hail Mary's", "Glory Be," and "O My Jesus," for each of the next four Mysteries until you are all the way around the Rosary.

Learn the Mysteries of the Rosary here.

The Conclusion Prayers:

Step 1 - After saying your last "O My Jesus," immediately follow with the "Hail Holy Queen."

Step 2 - Immediately follow with the "Let Us Pray."

Step 3 - End with the Sign of the Cross.

The Rosary Prayers

Apostles 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 Spirit, 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, seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, from there 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.

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.

Glory Be

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 (The Fatima Prayer)

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Take all souls into heaven, especially, those most in need of thy mercy. Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst 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.

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 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 (The Rosary Prayer)

Let us Pray. O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

Mysteries of the Rosary:

There are four sets of mysteries in the Rosary:

• Joyful Mysteries: These mysteries focus on the events of Jesus' early life, from his conception to his presentation in the Temple.
• Sorrowful Mysteries: These mysteries focus on the events of Jesus' Passion, from his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane to his crucifixion and death.
• Glorious Mysteries: These mysteries focus on the events of Jesus' Resurrection, Ascension, and Assumption into Heaven.
• Luminous Mysteries: These mysteries were added to the Rosary by Pope John Paul II in 2002. They focus on the public ministry of Jesus, from his baptism to the Transfiguration.
  
  

Meditating on the Mysteries:

As you pray the Rosary, it is important to meditate on the mysteries that you are praying. Meditation is simply the act of reflecting on the mysteries and trying to understand their meaning. There are many different ways to meditate on the mysteries. Some people like to read scripture passages that relate to the mysteries, while others like to imagine themselves being present at the events of the mysteries.

The most important thing is to find a way to meditate on the mysteries that helps you to grow in your faith and to deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Learn more about really praying the Rosary here.

History of the Rosary:

The Rosary is an ancient prayer with origins in the early days of the Catholic Church. St. Dominic is believed to have popularized the Rosary after receiving a vision from the Blessed Virgin Mary instructing him to teach it to his followers.

The first known mention of the Rosary dates back to the 12th century, when the Dominican Order used it. The Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Saint Dominic in a vision and instructed him to use the Rosary to spread the faith. The Rosary quickly gained popularity among Dominicans and other Catholics, and was ultimately adopted as a formal prayer by the Church.

In the sixteenth century, Pope Pius V proclaimed the Rosary an effective weapon against heresy and sin. In addition, he established the celebration of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7th.

Key Rosary Events in the History of the Catholic Church. 

12th century: The Rosary is first mentioned by the Dominican Order.

13th century: St. Dominic is said to have received a vision from the Virgin Mary in which she instructs him to use the Rosary to spread the faith.

16th century: Pope Pius V declares the Rosary to be a powerful weapon against heresy and sin. He also establishes the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which is celebrated on October 7th.

20th century: Pope John Paul II encourages the use of the Rosary in his apostolic letter, "Rosarium Virginis Mariae."

How to Pray the Rosary with Others:

The Rosary can be prayed alone or with others. If you are praying the Rosary with others, you can either pray together in the same room or you can pray together over the phone or online.

Conclusion:

The Rosary is a powerful prayer that can help us to grow in our faith and to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a prayer of meditation and contemplation, and it can help us to focus our minds on the mysteries of our faith. The Rosary is also a prayer of petition, and we can use it to ask for the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

If you are looking for a way to grow in your faith and to deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ, I encourage you to pray the Rosary. It is a prayer that can bring you great peace and joy.

Here are some additional tips for praying the Rosary in 2023:

• Find a quiet place where you can pray without distractions.
• Use a Rosary or Rosary Card to help you keep track of the prayers.
• Take your time and don't rush through the prayers.
• Focus on the mysteries of the Rosary and try to imagine yourself being there.
• Pray with Scripture (A Scriptural Rosary) or use biblical art to help deepen your meditation during the Rosary. 

Free "Printable" How to Pray The Rosary 2023 Booklet 

Download the Free PDF printable How to Pray the Rosary Booklet

The Rosary Card - Built For Convenience

As you learn to pray the Rosary and pray the Rosary on Monday, check out our Rosary Cards. They are designed for convenience (same size as a Credit Card) and make it much easier to pray the Rosary often. 

Connect

Please let me know how your journey with the Rosary is going, I'd love to hear from you. Send me a message an email at: brennan@everydayprayerco.com

Need a Rosary to get started? Check out our Men's Rosary Cards. It'll make sure you are never without the Rosary, especially as you start to pray the Rosary on Monday. 

Get inspired by our daily Rosary quotes: Instagram

And don't forget about our free Rosary Guide Download. Keep Praying!