How to pray it
- Make the Sign of the Cross and, holding the crucifix, say the Apostles' Creed.
- On the first bead, say an Our Father.
- Say a Hail Mary on each of the next three beads, and then a Glory Be.
- Announce the mystery and say an Our Father.
- Say ten Hail Marys, one on each bead, while meditating on the mystery. At the end of the decade, say the Fatima Prayer and a Glory Be. Continue in the same way with the following decades.
- After the five decades, say the Hail, Holy Queen and the prayer to end the Rosary.
Glorious Mysteries
First Mystery: The Resurrection
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Luke 24:3-6
Very early in the morning, some women go to the tomb with spices and find it empty. Two men in dazzling garments ask them why they seek the living among the dead. Jesus has conquered death. This news changes everything. No sadness, no sin and no tomb has the last word. Let the joy of the resurrection fill your heart today and renew your faith.
Fruit: Faith
Second Mystery: The Ascension
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11
Forty days after rising from the dead, Jesus blesses his disciples and is taken up to heaven before their eyes. They stand gazing upward until two messengers remind them that he will return. Jesus does not abandon them: he leaves them a mission and a promise. You too have a task in this world. Live with your feet on the ground and your heart in heaven, sustained by the hope of seeing him one day.
Fruit: Hope
Third Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4
The disciples are gathered in prayer with Mary. Suddenly they hear a mighty wind, and tongues as of fire appear over each of them. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they lose their fear and go out to proclaim Jesus with courage. That same Spirit wants to live in you. Ask him to set your heart on fire, to give you his gifts and to help you speak of God with joy and simplicity.
Fruit: The gifts of the Holy Spirit
Fourth Mystery: The Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. Luke 1:48-49
Mary lived her whole life united to her Son, in joy and in sorrow. When her days on earth came to an end, God took her up to heaven, body and soul. So her own words are fulfilled: all generations call her blessed. In her we see what God wants to do with us. Our destiny is not dust, but the fullness of life with him forever.
Fruit: Devotion to Mary
Fifth Mystery: The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: Revelation 12:1
Contemplate Mary in glory, clothed with light and crowned with stars. The humble young woman of Nazareth is now honored as Queen of heaven and earth. Her greatness does not come from power, but from her faithfulness and her love for God. Ask her to walk beside you like a mother. Following her example, keep walking in faith each day, until you too reach the Father's house.
Fruit: Final perseverance
All the prayers
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father (touch your forehead), and of the Son (touch your chest), and of the Holy (touch your left shoulder) Ghost (touch your right shoulder). 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 Ghost, 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, 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 Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
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.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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.
Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy.
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.
Prayer to End the Rosary
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray
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 upon these mysteries in 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.
Fixed prayers copied from public-domain Catholic texts: the pamphlet How to Say the Rosary (Philadelphia, 1937), Blessed Be God (1925) and Mary's Fatima Message (1955). Meditations are our own.