How to Pray the Rosary with Pictures

1. Hold the crucifix and make the Sign of the Cross.

Hold the crucifix and make the Sign of the Cross
Say “In the name of the Father,” then hold up a finger on your right hand while saying “and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen” (or in some countries say “Amen”).
Hold up a finger on each hand while saying: “I believe in God, Father almighty…”
Say Our Father…
Recite Hail Mary…then Glory Be…then Fatima Prayer…

2. Hold the medal and say the Apostles’ Creed.

Now you can hold the medal in your hands, as you recite the Apostles’ Creed. The Apostles’ Creed is a statement of our belief in the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is a summary of the faith that we hold as Catholics. You may have heard it before and even said it often at Mass or other liturgical services, but I want to remind you of what this creed actually says:

We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth (repeat after me)
We 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 buried descended into hell rose again on third day ascended into heaven sitteth at right hand of God (repeat after me)

3. Hold the first bead at the top of the Rosary and say one Our Father.

Hold the first bead at the top of the Rosary and say one 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. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom and power and glory forever Amen.”

(Matthew 6:9-13)

4. Hold a Hail Mary Bead and say a Hail Mary for each.

The Hail Mary is a prayer reserved for the Blessed Virgin Mary, and it goes like this:

“Hail Mary, full of grace.” – This part of the prayer expresses praise for God’s gift of His own mother to us.
“The Lord is with thee.” – This part reminds us that God is with us always and everywhere.
“Blessed art thou among women.” – This part gives thanks to God for sending His Son into our world through Mary’s womb.
“And blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.” – This reminds us again that Jesus was born from Mary’s body as an act of love between her and God.

The last line says, “…Holy Mary…” but I’ve been skipping it since we’re praying by ourselves right now! If you’re saying this prayer with others though, definitely say “Holy Mother…” at this point! And remember that “Hail” means “to welcome” just like when we shout “Hallelujah!” at church 🙂

5. On the chain between two groups of ten beads recite another Our Father, followed by three Hail Marys, one Glory Be and one Fatima Prayer (or any other optional prayer).

On the chain between two groups of ten beads recite another Our Father, followed by three Hail Marys, one Glory Be and one Fatima Prayer (or any other optional prayer).

At this point you have completed five decades and should pray the same prayers for each decade until you reach the end of your rosary.

6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 until you have said ten Hail Marys while meditating on each mystery.

Repeat steps 3 to 5 until you have said ten Hail Marys while meditating on each mystery.

You can say the prayers in any order, but tradition suggests that they should be said in this order: the Joyful Mysteries (those relating to Jesus’ birth), the Sorrowful Mysteries (those relating to his death) and finally, the Glorious Mysteries (those relating to his resurrection).

The Joyful Mysteries are as follows: The Annunciation; The Visitation; The Nativity; The Presentation at the Temple; Finding Jesus in the Temple.

The Sorrowful Mysteries are as follows: Jesus’ Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane; His Scourging at the Pillar; His Crowning with Thorns; Pilate’s Judgment & Condemnation of Jesus Christ by Pontius Pilate before Herod Antipas & Caiaphas.(optional); Simon Peter’s Denial of Christ before both High Priests & Soldiers.(optional); Our Lord Carrying His Cross to Calvary where He was Crucified between two thieves named Dismas & Gestas.(optional); Our Lady Supporting Him Under His Cross Until He Died On It At About Three P.M..(recommended)

7. At the end of each decade of Hail Marys, say one Glory Be and The Fatima Prayer (or any other optional prayer).

At the end of each decade of Hail Marys, say one Glory Be and The Fatima Prayer (or any other optional prayer).

The Fatima Prayer is a prayer which many Catholics pray as part of their rosary devotion. It goes like this: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.” You can also pray along with what others have written about these mysteries in your book or on the website where you’ve found these instructions.

8. From time to time during your recitation, pause briefly as you reach a Pater bead in order to reflect on one of these Mysteries of Jesus’ Life with Mary that you have selected for meditation for each week (listed below)

From time to time during your recitation, pause briefly as you reach a Pater bead in order to reflect on one of these Mysteries of Jesus’ Life with Mary that you have selected for meditation for each week (listed below).
The Annunciation: How does this Mystery relate to my life? What would it be like if I were there? Would I do anything differently than Mary did when Gabriel appeared to her?
The Visitation: How does this Mystery relate to my life? What would it be like if I were there? Would I do anything differently than Elizabeth and Zechariah did when Mary came into their home and announced the coming birth of her son, Jesus Christ our Lord?
The Birth of Christ: How does this Mystery relate to my life? What would it be like if I were there at the birth of God’s Son in Bethlehem among those who had traveled from afar seeking His salvation through Him alone (see Mt 2:1-12)?
The Presentation in the Temple: How does this Mystery relate to my life? What would it be like if I were there at this momentous event which was recorded by Saint Luke (2:22-38) and which marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry–His first public appearance after having been hidden away from all eyes in His mother’s womb since before He was born!

You can pray the rosary on your own or with others.

The meditations and prayers of the rosary are a set of traditional prayers and devotions that focus on the life of Christ and Mary, as well as other important events in their lives. It’s one way Catholics can deepen their faith by reflecting on what Christ has done for them.

The rosary is usually made up of five decades (groups) consisting of 20 beads each, but it also comes in shorter versions with 15 or even 10 decades. The main part of this devotion consists of reciting 150 Hail Marys however many times you choose to do so while contemplating different mysteries from Christ’s life (the Joyful Mysteries), his passion (the Sorrowful Mysteries), or his resurrection (the Glorious Mysteries). You may wish to follow along with a visual aid like our animated rosary if it helps you keep track of which decade you’re on!