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How To Pray The Rosary

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How To Pray The Rosary - A Personal Prayer

We were taught How To Pray The Rosary as young Children by our Mother and like many families it was a prayer we would say together.

The Rosary is an important prayer for a Roman Catholic. It is devoted to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to His Mother the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Many Christians have told of deep and profound experiences whilst praying the Rosary. Whilst meditating on the joys, sorrows and miracles of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, one can find a path to a deeper more personal relationship with God.

There are many methods of praying the Rosary. However, here is a simple and perhaps more personal step by step way of saying the Rosary. Remember that you can say the Rosary either out loud or quietly. It is a personal prayer and it is your choice.

The day I created this lens was my Mother's Anniversary and this Lens is therefore devoted to her memory.

Firstly hold the crucifix in your fingers and make the sign of the cross and immediately recite the Apostles' Creed.

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of Heaven and earth.

I believe 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 to the dead.
On the third day, He rose again.
He ascended to Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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.

Move to the first bead and recite the Lord's Prayer or 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

Move to the antiphon beads (the three beads) and recite three Hail Marys

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 in the hour of our death. Amen.

While meditating using the antiphon beads, try to think of three important virtues of Christianity: Faith, Hope, and Charity. Optionally, you can also incorporate the intentions of the Pope.

Continuing To Pray The Rosary

Move to the chain and recite the Doxology.

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.

Move to the next bead and recite one Lord's Prayer. This begins the first decade. Before beginning the decade, remember to recite the first mystery meditated depending on the day.

Move to the center, a small medallion that separates the first decade from the main part, which consists of five groups of decades, separated by another Lord's Prayer bead between each decade.

Move to the first bead of the first decade and begin reciting the Hail Mary.

After completing the first decade, move to the chain and recite the Doxology. You can also add the Fatima prayer optionally.

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

Continue until you are finished all around the five decades and meditated upon the five Mysteries of the day.

How To Conclude Praying The Rosary

Reach the center/medallion and recite the Salve Regina.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
Hail 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 vale 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

Complete the Liturgy of Loreto which recalls the accolades and titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary and asks for her continued intercession

Make the Sign of the Cross.

You can also add prayers before making the sign of the cross. You can add a traditional prayer or a more personal one that you would like to lift to God.

The Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

There are Twenty Mysteries of the Holy Rosary which are significant events or moments in the life of Jesus and Mary.

Originally there were only Fifteen However Pope John Paul II added another Five towards the end of his life. The Twenty Mysteries of the Rosary which are meditated upon while praying the Holy Rosary are grouped into sets of Five and are The Joyful Mysteries, The Luminous Mysteries (the ones which were added by Pope John Paul II), The Sorrowful Mysteries, and The Glorious Mysteries

The Joyful Mysteries contemplate the Virginal Conception and Nativity Of Christ, and are said on Mondays and Saturdays.

The Luminous Mysteries contemplate Our Lord's Public Ministry, and are said on Thursdays.

The Sorrowful Mysteries contemplate Our Lord's Passion, and are said on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The Glorious Mysteries contemplate Our Lord's Resurrection, and the Birth of the Christian Church, and are said on Wednesdays and Sundays.

How To Pray The Rosary Guides

The Prayers Of The Rosary

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of Heaven and earth.

I believe 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 to the dead.
On the third day, He rose again.
He ascended to Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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.

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

The 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 in the hour of our death. Amen.

The Doxology

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.

Silver Rosary Beads

Dedicated To My Mother and Father

Both My Mother's and Father's dedication to The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother Of God and Of Us All remains an inspiration.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Is the Holy Rosary A Prayer You Pray?

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poddys Jan 18, 2012 @ 2:02 pm | delete

Thanks for the information Paul. I was married to a Catholic but never really understood the Rosary. It's still a bit of a mystery to me, but I guess it helps serve as comfort for those who believe in the power of prayer. Nicely done, blessed.

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Showpup Jan 18, 2012 @ 10:53 am | delete

I am Christian but not Catholic. I knew Catholics pray the rosary and have often found them so beautiful and intriguing. Thank you for explaining this to me. I'll find them even more beautiful from now on. Wondering why Protestants and Catholics warred so much... I'm tempted to get my own rosary. Is that wrong?

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lestroischenes Jan 18, 2012 @ 2:19 am | delete

I enjoyed this so much, Paul. I'm afraid I'm not a believer, but I do love the power and poetry of the words of the Christian and spritual world. Through studying the History of Art, I've learned much about the Christian faith, and in daily life and reading, I've come across snatches of these prayers, but I've never seen them all together. Despite my dismal lack of grace, I find these prayers very soothing and peaceful and am reminded of that beautiful hymn that ends: "Give us your peace, Lord, at the end of the day". Thank you.

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BSieracki Jan 5, 2012 @ 11:49 pm | delete

i see tou included the new ones

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jptanabe Dec 31, 2011 @ 9:05 am | delete

Thank you for sharing how to pray the Rosary. I was not raised Catholic so it's always been a bit of a mystery to me. Understanding helps bridge the Protestant-Catholic divide - and that's a good thing! Blessed
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