How to Pray The Rosary The First Time
The rosary consists of spoken prayers and reflection on the mysteries of the faith while using prayer beads constructed in a shape similar to a necklace. The prayer beads act as a guide for the parts of the rosary.There are four sets of mysteries for the Rosary that are said on different days. These mysteries are called the Joyful Mysteries, the Luminous Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries and the Glorious Mysteries. For instance, the Luminous Mysteries are said on Thursdays. Although, the Hail Mary is said throughout the prayer, the rosary itself is centered on Christ and the events of his life. The rosary allows for the faithful to make a specific petition for Mary to intercede on our behalf to God.
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Instructions
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Learn the prayers and recitations used in the rosary. The rosary prayers are the Hail Mary, the Our Father, the Glory Be, Fatima Prayer, the Hail! Holy Queen and the recitation of the Apostle's Creed. These prayers can be found in Catholic prayer books and on Catholic websites.
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Begin the rosary with the sign of the cross. Use your right hand as you touch your forehead, your chest, your left shoulder and then your right shoulder. As you make the sign of the cross, recite the words "in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
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Hold the crucifix of the rosary and recite the Apostle's creed.
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Recite the Our Father prayer while touching the large bead directly above the crucifix.
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Say three Hail Marys on each of the next three smaller beads. These beads are found above the large bead you used to recite the Our Father.
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Recite the Glory Be and Fatima prayers in the space between the small bead and the larger bead. After you have said the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer, announce the first mystery and say an Our Father on the large bead. For example, on Sundays, you would meditate on the five Glorious mysteries, the first being Christ's resurrection.
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Say 10 Hail Marys for each of the next 10 smaller beads.These 10 Hail Marys form a decade. As you say the Hail Marys, meditate on the first Glorious mystery -- the resurrection of Jesus Christ, his triumph over death and how these events are central to Christian belief.
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End the first decade with a Glory Be and a Fatima Prayer on the space before the large bead directly following the previous 10 smaller beads. Announce the second glorious mystery of Christ's ascension into heaven and say an Our Father on the large bead.
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Continue working through each decade of beads the same way you completed the first decade. Reflect on Christ's ascension to heaven and how this event displayed Christ's divinity while you recite Hail Marys on the next 10 beads.
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Finish the second decade with the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer. Announce the third mystery, The Descent of the Holy Spirit, and say an Our Father on the large bead. As you work through the next ten Hail Marys think about how the descent of the Holy Spirit on earth affects Christians today and connects them with God.
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Complete the third decade with a Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer. Announce the Assumption of Mary in to heaven as the fourth Glorious mystery. Recite 10 Hail Marys and reflect on Mary being reunited with her Son in heaven.
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End the fourth decade with the Glory Be and the Fatima prayer the same way you finished the previous decades. Announce the fifth Glorious mystery of the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and say an Our Father on the large bead.
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Say the last 10 Hail Marys as you meditate on her coronation as the Queen of heaven. End the last decade by reciting a Glory Be and a Fatima Prayer.
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Finish the entire Rosary with the Hail! Holy Queen prayer while touching the medallion of Mary on the Rosary and make the sign of the cross.
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Tips & Warnings
Be creative in your meditations on the mysteries, this aspect of the rosary varies from person to person.
Take your time, this prayer requires memorization.
Ask a friend or family member who is familiar with the rosary for help.
The Fatima Prayer is sometimes referred to as an O My Jesus prayer.
References
Resources
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