How to Say the Rosary:
The traditional rosary consists of five sets of ten beads (known as
decades), each separated by a larger bead. There is an extension from this main circle of the rosary consisting of a
crucifix, a large bead, three small beads, and another large bead.
On the
crucifix, say the
Apostles' Creed.
On the first large bead, say an
Our Father.
On the next three beads, say three
Hail Marys.
On the second large bead, say another
Our Father.
Now you come to the main part of the rosary. Say an
Our Father on each of the large beads, and a
Hail Mary on each of the fifty small beads. When you finish, you may enter your
petitions and say a
Hail, Holy Queen.
The rosary is used for
meditation on the 15 mysteries of
Christ's life. Each
decade of the rosary represents a single mystery. Which mysteries you meditate on depends on the day of the week:
On Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays in
Advent and from
Epiphany to
Lent: The Five Joyful Mysteries
1. The Annunciation (when the Archangel
Gabriel announced to Mary that she was with child.)
2. The Visitation (when Mary visited the pregnant Elizabeth).
3. The
Nativity (Christ's birth).
4. The Presentation (when Christ was presented at the
Temple in accordance with
Jewish tradition).
5. Finding in the Temple (when Joseph and Mary found Christ in the Temple teaching the elders).
On Tuesdays, Fridays, and every day during
Lent: The Five Sorrowful Mysteries
1. Agony in the Garden (when Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane).
2. Scourging at the Pillar (when
Roman soldiers whipped Christ).
3. Crowning with Thorns
4. Carrying of the Cross
5. The
Crucifixion
On Wednesdays, Saturdays, and for Sundays from
Easter until
Advent: The Five Glorious Mysteries
1. The
Resurrection
2. The
Ascension
3. Descent of the
Holy Spirit (when Christ sent the Holy Spirit on his
apostles).
4. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (when Christ took Mary into
heaven).
5. Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary (when Christ crowned Mary the Queen of Heaven).
Side note:
Protestants may find some of these mysteries disconcerting, since they involve beliefs unique to the
Catholic Church.
The rosary can also be used for other prayers, such as the
Chaplet of Divine Mercy.