MONSTRANCE
The Rosary

The Holy Rosary

Twenty mysteries in Scripture and sacred art

The mysteries for each day of the week:

MondayThe Joyful Mysteries
TuesdayThe Sorrowful Mysteries
WednesdayThe Glorious Mysteries
ThursdayThe Luminous Mysteries
FridayThe Sorrowful Mysteries
SaturdayThe Joyful Mysteries
SundayThe Glorious Mysteries

This is the pattern Pope St John Paul II proposed in Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 38 (2002), when he added the Luminous Mysteries: Thursday for the new mysteries, and Saturday for the Joyful. He wrote that it does not limit a rightful freedom in personal and community prayer. Praying the Joyful Mysteries on the Sundays of Advent and Christmas, and the Sorrowful on the Sundays of Lent, is a common custom; the letter does not prescribe it.

How the Rosary is prayed

  1. Make the Sign of the Cross, and on the crucifix pray the Apostles' Creed.
  2. On the first large bead, the Our Father; on the three small beads, three Hail Marys; then the Glory Be.
  3. Announce the first mystery. On the large bead, the Our Father; on the ten small beads, ten Hail Marys; then the Glory Be, often followed by the Fatima Prayer. That is one decade.
  4. Announce and pray the second, third, fourth and fifth mysteries in the same way.
  5. Close with the Hail, Holy Queen and the Closing Prayer.
The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The 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, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence 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.

The 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.

The Hail Mary

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.

The Glory Be

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.

The Fatima Prayer

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

The 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. Amen.

The Closing Prayer

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 meditating on these mysteries of the most Holy Rosary, we may both imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

The Joyful Mysteries

Prayed on Monday and Saturday

The Luminous Mysteries

Prayed on Thursday

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Prayed on Tuesday and Friday

The Glorious Mysteries

Prayed on Wednesday and Sunday