Step-by-Step Guide

How to Pray the Rosary

At various points in this Devotional Guide, you’ll find links to each prayer of the Rosary. These will take you to the Pray the Rosary page, where you can read and pray the full text of each prayer.

Return to Pray the Rosary

Number 1

Rosary crucifix used for Catholic prayer and meditation

1.

Number 2

Number 3

2.

3.

Number 4

Number 5

4.

5.

Number 6

Rosary centerpiece medallion in a Catholic devotional guide

6.

Number 7

Number 8

7.

8.

Number 9

Number 10

9.

10.

Devotional Guide

Step 1

1. Holding the crucifix (number 1 in the image above), make the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Then, reverently kiss the crucifix and recite the Apostles’ Creed.

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Step 2

2. Holding the first bead (number 2 in the image above), the bead just above the crucifix, pray the Our Father.

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3. Moving to the next three beads (number 3 in the image above), pray three Hail Marys, one on each bead. As you pray, ask the Lord to deepen within you the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, or offer these prayers for your own intentions.

Step 3

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Step 4

4. On the small chain between the three beads and the next single bead (number 4 in the image above), pray the Glory Be, giving praise to the Holy Trinity.

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Step 5

5. Holding the next single bead (number 5 in the image above), name the set of Mysteries you will pray — Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, or Glorious — and announce the first Mystery. Read the meditation slowly and prayerfully. After a brief pause for reflection, pray the Our Father.

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Step 6

6. Move to the next strand of ten beads—the first decade—and pray ten Hail Marys (number 6 in the image above), letting your heart rest in the mystery you have announced. This begins the pattern of the Rosary: each decade is prayed in the same way, with ten Hail Marys offered while meditating on the mystery.

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Step 7

7. On the small chain between the beads (number 7 in the image above), pray the Glory Be.

Then offer the O My Jesus , placing your intentions before God with a humble heart.

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Step 8

8. Continue this pattern (number 8 in the image above) for each of the remaining four decades:

announce the mystery, read the meditation, pray the Our Father, pray ten Hail Marys, and then the Glory Be followed by the O My Jesus prayer.

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9. After completing the fifth decade, hold the small connecting medallion (number 9 in image above) and pray the Hail Holy Queen.

Step 9

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Step 10

10. Finally, return to the crucifix (number 10 in the image above). Make the Sign of the Cross, and bring your recitation of the Rosary to a close by kissing the crucifix in a simple act of love and devotion.

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Return to Pray The Rosary page

Continue to the Mysteries