Beginners guide on how to pray the rosary, Roman Catholic

Easy step by step guide on how to pray the rosary, perfect for children and compleye beginners.

Rosary Beads - The Parts

The main part of rosary beads is divided into 5 sets of 10 beads each, which are called the Decades, or Hail Mary Beads, or Aves. In between each set of decades, is a larger bead called the Our Father Bead. This entire set of beads is joined to a centre piece medal with more beads attached below, an Our Father Bead, 3 smaller Hail Mary beds and another single Our Father Bead. Below this sits the finishing crucifix / cross (or sometimes a medal or other token).

As you pray the rosary, you meditate on the events in Our Lord’s (Jesus) life and these meditations are known as the Mysteries. 

In essence, this repetitive praying is a form of meditation, a guide to lead you through a contemplation of Jesus Christ, your interior landscape and a realisation of your true purpose in life.

how to pray the rosary Ireland

Steps To Pray The rosary

  • Step 1: On the crucifix, make the sign of the cross (wording below), then recite the prayer, Apostle’s Creed (see prayers below)
  • Step 2: Recite the prayer, Our Father (see below)
  • Step 3: Recite the Hail Mary (see below) on each one of the smaller beads – 3 Hail Marys in total
  • Step 4: In the space just before the larger bead, recite prayer, Glory Be To The Father (see below)
  • Step 5: Announce the First Mystery, then recite the Our Father (see more about The Mysteries below)
  • Step 6: On the centre medal, recite the prayer, Hail Holy Queen (see prayers below)
  • Step 7: Recite 10 Hail Marys, 1 on each of the small beads, while allowing your mind to dwell on the First Mystery
  • Step 8: In the space just before the larger bead, recite prayer, Glory Be To The Father. If you wish, you can also recite the Fatima Prayer
  • Step 9: On the larger bead, announce the Second Mystery (see Mysteries below)
  • Step 10: Recite 10 Hail Marys, 1 on each of the small beads, while allowing your mind to dwell on the Second Mystery
  • Step 11: In the space just before the larger bead, recite prayer, Glory Be To The Father. Recite Fatima Prayer if you wish
  • Step 12: On the larger bead, announce the Third Mystery
  • Step 13: Recite 10 Hail Marys, 1 on each of the small beads, while allowing your mind to dwell on the Third Mystery
  • Step 14: In the space just before the larger bead, recite prayer, Glory Be To The Father. Recite Fatima Prayer if you wish
  • Step 15: On the larger bead, announce the Third Mystery
  • Step 16: Recite 10 Hail Marys, 1 on each of the small beads, while allowing your mind to dwell on the Fourth Mystery
  • Step 17: In the space just before the larger bead, recite prayer, Glory Be To The Father. Recite Fatima Prayer if you wish
  • Step 18: On the larger bead, announce the Third Mystery
  • Step 19: Recite 10 Hail Marys, 1 on each of the small beads, while allowing your mind to dwell on the Fifth Mystery

You have now arrived back at the centre medal. Here you can repeat the prayer, Hail Holy Queen. Then move back to the crucifix and conclude with the sign of the cross (wording below).

Wording for Sign Of The Cross

While making the sign of the cross, recite these words, “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen”.

Wording For Prayers

The Apostle’s Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and 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 into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, is seated 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 Spirit, 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. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are 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.

Glory Be To The Father

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.

Fatima Prayer

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy 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 towards us, and after this our exile, show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Oh clement, oh loving, of sweet Virgin Mary.

(VERSE) Pray for us, Oh holy Mother of God.

(RESPONSE) That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Rosary Prayer

(VERSE) Let us pray.

(RESPONSE) Oh God, whose only begotten Son, by his life death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant we beseech you, that meditating on these Mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Mysteries Of The Rosary

The Rosary is divided into five decades, each decade representing a mystery (or event) in the life of Jesus. There are four sets of “Mysteries of the Rosary” (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious). These four Mysteries of the Rosary contain a total of 20 mysteries in total. 

Each mystery is traditional said on a specific day of the week, as follows;

  • Monday: Joyful Mysteries
  • Tuesday: Sorrowful Mysteries
  • Wednesday: Glorious Mysteries
  • Thursday: Luminous Mysteries (also called Mysteries Of Light)
  • Friday: Sorrowful Mysteries
  • Saturday: Joyful Mysteries
  • Sunday: Glorious Mysteries

The Joyful Mysteries

  1. The Annunciation | Mary is visited by the Angel Gabriel, who asks her if she is willing be the Mother of the Saviour, Jesus Christ,
  2. The Visitation | Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth who, upon seeing Mary, says, “Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.”,
  3. The Nativity | Jesus is born in the stable in Bethlehem,
  4. The Presentation | Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple to present him,
  5. The Finding in the Temple | Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the Temple, in deep discussion on his faith, with a temple Elder.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

  1. The Agony in the Garden | Jesus sweats blood as he thinks on his coming ordeal and our sins, the  sins of the world,
  2. The Scourging at the Pillar |  Jesus is stripped and scourged,
  3. The Crowning with Thorns | The crown of thorns is placed on Jesus’ head in response to his claim of kindship,
  4. The Carrying of the Cross | Jesus carries the cross to the place crucifixion, while Mary follows behind,
  5. The Crucifixion | Jesus is nailed to the cross and, after 6 hours, he ‘dies’, witnessed by His Mother, Mary.

The Glorious Mysteries

  1. The Resurrection |  As he prophesied, Jesus rises from the dead on Easter Sunday, to immortality and glory,
  2. The Ascension | Forth days after his resurrection, Jesus ascends into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father,
  3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit | Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to His Apostles and His disciples, in the form of tongues of flame,
  4. The Assumption | Mary’s earthly form dies and She assumes Her heavenly glory,
  5. The Crowning of Mary | Mary is crowned as the Queen of Heaven and earth, the Queen of all angels and saints.

The Luminous Mysteries (Mysteris of Light)

  1. Baptism in the River Jordan | God proclaims that Jesus is his one beloved Son,
  2. Self manifestation at the wedding in Cana | Mary requests and Jesus performs his first miracle,
  3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God | Jesus calls all peoples to convert and give service to the Kingdom, a return to God,
  4. The Transfiguration | Jesus is revealed in the light of His glory to Apostles, Peter, James and John,
  5. Jesus institutes the Eucharist | Jesus offers his Body and Blood at the Last Supper.

Our Made To Order Rosaries

When you purchase one of our made to order Rosaries, you can be assured that your rosary is made with care and close attention to detail. Each rosary part is individually hand wrapped to ensure that it does not pull apart with use. We make our rosaries to last.