How to Pray the Rosary

This beautiful prayer is one that should be said each day. All of our needs are placed before God, with Mary, the Mother of God, interceding for us. She has told us time and again of her love. Pope John Paul II called her the "Mediatrix," meaning that she is a spiritual mother to all of us and places our needs at the feet of her son.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A rosary

1. Make the Sign of the Cross, and pray the "Apostle's Creed" as follows: "I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell and on the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen."
   
2. Pray the "Our Father." The "Our Father" prayers are said on each bead that is spaced apart from the others.
3. Say 3 "Hail Mary's." The first part of this prayer is found in the bible; the second is asking for her intercession now and when we die.
4. Pray the "Glory Be." This prayer is said before each "Our Father" bead (the separated ones) and is often followed by the "Fatima Prayer" which is said as "Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from the powers of Hell. Lead all souls to heaven especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy. Amen."
5. Pray the first Holy Mystery followed by the "Our Father." Meditate on the meaning of each mystery as you pray each decade of the Rosary. Each one holds a special meaning for us as Christians.
6. Say 10 "Hail Mary's." Try not to let your mind wander. It can be difficult, but the prayers should never be said without focus. We need to think about what the words actually mean to us in our lives as we say them and what Mary is trying to tell us in this prayer.
7. Pray the "Glory Be" and the "Fatima Prayer" and then recite the second Holy Mystery. Pray each decade beginning with the corresponding Mystery and an "Our Father." The Rosary ends with the prayer "Hail, Holy Queen."

Tips & Warnings

• You may offer up the prayers for whatever intention you like.