How to Pray the Rosary
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You can pray the Rosary on your own, with your family, or in community. When the Rosary is prayed in a group, one person leads the Rosary and the rest of the group responds. In the prayers below, the leader’s part is shown in plain text and the group response is shown in blue text. Often before each decade, the leader will announce the mystery accompanied by the fruit of the mystery or a brief meditation.
You may use rosary beads or your 10 fingers to keep track of the prayers as you say them.
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Start with the Sign of the CrossIn the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Apostles’ Creed (for the Cross)
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. On the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. He will come again in glory 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 (first bead)
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.
Hail Mary (next 3 beads: for Faith, Hope, Charity)
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.
Glory Be (next bead)
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.
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Pray the Five Decades
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The Mysteries
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For each of the Five Decades (Medallion or next bead)
- Announce the Mystery
- Say the Our Father
- Say the Hail Mary ten times while meditating on the Mystery
- Say the Glory Be
- Say the Fatima Prayer (optional)
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Our FatherBegin each decade by announcing the Mystery and pray the
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.
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Fatima PrayerOptional prayer before announcing the Mystery for the next decade
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.
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Hail MaryPray 1 Hail Mary for each of next 10 beads and meditate on the mystery
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.
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Announce the
Next MysteryRepeat the prayers above for each decade.
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Glory BeEnd each decade with the
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.
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Hail Holy QueenTo conclude after the 5 decades:
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 vale 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.
Conclude with the Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Concluding Prayersoptional
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Let Us Pray (Breviary)
Let us pray, O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death and Resurrection, has purchased for us the reward of eternal salvation. Grant we beseech Thee that while meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Every Life is Worth Living
Heavenly Father, thank you for the precious gift of life. Help us to cherish and protect this gift, even in the midst of fear, pain, and suffering. Give us love for all people, especially the most vulnerable, and help us bear witness to the truth that every life is worth living. Grant us the humility to accept help when we are in need, and teach us to be merciful to all. Through our words and actions, may others encounter the outstretched hands of Your mercy. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Every Life is Worth Living, © 2015, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.
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Prayer to Saint Michael
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the Power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Christmas Prayer
Glory to God in the highest! My precious Lord, Jesus, I adore You with profound love and rejoice in the celebration of Your birth. Your love for us is unfathomable, it is glorious transforming, awe-inspiring, and deeply personal. You chose to come and dwell among us, being born into poverty, rejection and humility. Yet Your mother knew whom she bore, Her heart was filled with the tenderest love as she adored her Child and her God. Help me, dear Lord. to come to love You with the heart of Your mother. Invite me to adore You with St. Joseph and the poor shepherds. Reveal to me the glorious power of Your birth and change my life on account of this perfect gift of Yourself. I love You, dear Lord Jesus. Help me to love You with all my heart. Newborn Savior of the World, I trust in You. Mother Mary and St. Joseph, Pray for me and for all. Amen.
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Diocese of San Jose
Eucharist Revival PrayerHeavenly Father, In your loving mercy, you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, anointed by the Spirit, to redeem the world through his Paschal Mystery.
The disciples on the road to Emmaus pleaded with the Lord, “Stay with us.” Promising to remain with his church, and to nourish us as the Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation, Jesus left us the Sacrament of Salvation in the Eucharist.
Stir up in our hearts a lively faith in Jesus’ real, loving, and saving presence, and may the Eucharist become the pattern of our lives.
As a pilgrim church may we be nourished and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, and so “do unto others” in love as you have loved us.
Through the intercession of St. Joseph
and St. Clare, may we remain in your love through the Sacrament of your Love.
Amen.
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