How to pray a decade rosary

How to Pray It, Step by Step

You don’t have to get it perfect. The prayers are written out for you below, so you can follow along.

Step 1: Hold the crucifix. Make the Sign of the Cross.

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

If you’d like, pray the Apostles’ Creed next. It’s optional.

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; from there he will 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.

Step 2: Choose your intention. Think of who or what you’re praying for: a person, a worry, or a thank-you.

Step 3: On the single metal connector pray 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.

Step 4: On each of the ten beads, pray a Hail Mary. As you pray, think about one of the mysteries listed below.

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.

Step 5: After the tenth bead, pray 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.

Many people also add the Fatima Prayer here.

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

Step 6: Close your prayer. Pray the Hail Holy Queen, or simply finish with your own words.

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.

End with the Sign of the Cross.

Which Mystery Do I Think About?

The mysteries are moments from the life of Jesus and Mary. Pick one to think about while you pray the ten Hail Marys. Each day of the week traditionally has its own set. If you pray once a day, choose one mystery from that day’s set. If you go around five times, pray all five.

Joyful Mysteries (Monday & Saturday)

  1. The Annunciation: the angel Gabriel visits Mary
  2. The Visitation: Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth
  3. The Nativity: Jesus is born
  4. The Presentation: Jesus is presented in the Temple
  5. The Finding in the Temple: young Jesus is found teaching

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday & Friday)

  1. The Agony in the Garden
  2. The Scourging at the Pillar
  3. The Crowning with Thorns
  4. The Carrying of the Cross
  5. The Crucifixion

Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday & Sunday)

  1. The Resurrection
  2. The Ascension
  3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
  4. The Assumption of Mary
  5. The Coronation of Mary

Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

  1. The Baptism of Jesus
  2. The Wedding at Cana
  3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom
  4. The Transfiguration
  5. The Institution of the Eucharist

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