The Holy Rosary
A garland of prayer, a school of contemplation, a quiet weapon for peace — the prayer Mary herself entrusted to the Church.
The Gospel on a string of beads
The Rosary is no mere repetition. It is a contemplative prayer in which the heart, lulled by the gentle rhythm of the Hail Mary, gazes upon the face of Christ through the eyes of his Mother. From the Annunciation to the Coronation, twenty Mysteries trace the whole arc of salvation.
Tradition holds that Mary gave the Rosary to St. Dominic in 1208 to combat the Albigensian heresy. Pope Pius V credited it for the Christian victory at Lepanto in 1571. At Fátima, Mary asked for its daily prayer for peace in the world. Every pope of the modern era has commended it.
"The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer."— Pope St. John Paul II
A meditation for every day
Joyful Mysteries
Monday & Saturday- 1.The Annunciation
- 2.The Visitation
- 3.The Nativity
- 4.The Presentation in the Temple
- 5.The Finding in the Temple
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
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
A simple rhythm
- 1
Begin with the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed on the crucifix.
- 2
Pray the Our Father on the first large bead.
- 3
Pray three Hail Marys on the three small beads — for faith, hope, and love.
- 4
Pray the Glory Be, then announce the first Mystery.
- 5
On each decade: one Our Father, ten Hail Marys (meditating on the Mystery), one Glory Be, and the Fátima Prayer.
- 6
After five decades, close with the Hail, Holy Queen and the Sign of the Cross.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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.