How to Pray the Rosary Prayers [The Guide for New Learners]

 "The Holy Rosary is the storehouse of countless blessings."
Blessed Alan de la Roche

How to "Pray" the Rosary and it's Prayers

Before you get started, it's important to remember how to pray this holy prayer. The Rosary is not simply a series of words that you meaninglessly repeat, over and over. The Rosary is a meditative prayer based up on Scripture. When we pray the Rosary, we ask Mary to pray for us. We ask for her help to contemplate Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. We ask her to help us get closer to her son.

So when you pray the Rosary, try not to focus on the words being said. Seek to think about the life of Jesus. Let the words flow by, and meditate on the pivotal moment of Jesus's life. This is a prayer about growing closer to our Lord.

Learn more about really praying the Rosary here.

Free Printable Rosary Prayers Guides: 

How to Pray the Rosary Guide - PDF File

The Prayers of the Rosary - PDF File

Mysteries of the Rosary Guide - PDF File

The Mechanics of the Rosary

The Breakdown:

• 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.

The Rosary Card - Use to pray the Rosary Prayers! 

As you learn to pray the Rosary, 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 Wallet Rosary Cards. It'll make sure you are never without the Rosary.

Get inspired by our daily Rosary quotes: Instagram

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