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.
Luminous Mysteries
First Mystery: The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17
Jesus steps into the waters of the Jordan as one more among the people who are seeking God. As he comes up, the heavens open, the Spirit descends upon him and the Father calls him his beloved Son. Remember that in your baptism you too were welcomed as a child of God. That is your deepest identity. Today you can renew your desire to live as someone loved by the Father and guided by the Spirit.
Fruit: Faithfulness to our baptism
Second Mystery: The Wedding at Cana
And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. John 2:3-5
In the middle of a wedding feast, the wine runs out. Mary notices before anyone else and tells her son. Then she tells the servants to do whatever he tells them, and the water becomes the finest wine. Bring your needs to Jesus, the great ones and the small ones. And listen to Mary's advice: trust his word and do whatever he asks of you.
Fruit: To Jesus through Mary
Third Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:14-15
Jesus walks the roads of Galilee with a message full of hope: the Kingdom of God is at hand. He invites everyone to change their lives and believe in the good news. He heals the sick, forgives sinners and sits at table with those who are left out. His invitation is for you too, today. Think about what you need to leave behind to come closer to him and receive his forgiveness with joy.
Fruit: Conversion of heart
Fourth Mystery: The Transfiguration
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Matthew 17:2-5
On a high mountain, Peter, James and John see the face of Jesus shine like the sun. They are filled with wonder and would like to stay there forever. Then a voice from heaven tells them to listen to the beloved Son. That light will give them strength in the hard days to come. Look for moments of prayer and silence yourself, to listen to Jesus and let his light transform your life.
Fruit: Desire for holiness
Fifth Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:19-20
It is Jesus' last supper with his friends before his passion. He takes the bread and the wine, gives thanks and gives them as his body and his blood. In this way he stays with us forever, as food for the journey. Contemplate this gift, so great and so simple. Come to him with faith and gratitude, and let his love teach you to give yourself to others as well.
Fruit: Love for the Eucharist
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.