The Holy Rosary

The Holy Rosary is one of the oldest and most beloved devotions of the Catholic Church, prayed for centuries by saints, popes, and faithful throughout the world. Each decade of the Rosary unites vocal prayer — repeating the words of the Angel and of Elizabeth to Mary — with meditative contemplation of the mysteries of the life of Christ and Our Lady. Follow the steps below to pray the Rosary with devotion.

1. Sign of the Cross and Apostles' Creed: Hold the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross, and pray the Creed, professing the foundations of the Christian faith.
2. Our Father: On the first large bead, pray one Our Father.
3. Three Hail Marys: On the three small beads that follow, pray one Hail Mary on each, asking for an increase of Faith, Hope, and Charity.
4. Glory Be: Pray the Glory Be in thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity.
5. Announce the Mystery: Announce the first mystery of the day, meditate briefly upon it, and pray an Our Father.
6. Decade of Hail Marys: Pray ten Hail Marys (one decade), contemplating the announced mystery.
7. Glory Be and Fatima Prayer: Pray the Glory Be and, if desired, the prayer requested by Our Lady of Fatima: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy."
8. Repeat: Repeat steps 5 through 7 for the four remaining mysteries, announcing each one before its decade.
9. Hail Holy Queen: At the end of the five mysteries, pray the Hail Holy Queen to conclude the Rosary.

The mysteries alternate according to the day of the week: Joyful (Monday and Saturday), Luminous (Thursday), Sorrowful (Tuesday and Friday), Glorious (Wednesday and Sunday).

1st Joyful Mystery — The Annunciation

The Archangel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will be the Mother of the Savior. Mary consents with full faith: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord." The angel will also reassure Joseph, who will welcome Mary and the mystery of the Incarnation in silent obedience to God's plan. The first Joyful Mystery is the beginning of our redemption, the moment when the Eternal enters time through the "yes" of a young woman of Nazareth.

2nd Joyful Mystery — The Visitation

Mary sets out in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who already carried John the Baptist in her womb. Upon hearing Mary's greeting, the child leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth exclaims: "Blessed art thou among women!" Mary sings the Magnificat, the canticle of the humble exalted by God. Mary's eager charity is a model for every Christian who puts others before self.

3rd Joyful Mystery — The Nativity

Jesus is born in a cave in Bethlehem. Mary wraps Him in swaddling clothes and lays Him in a manger. Joseph, the faithful spouse, was present at the birth of the Savior and was the first to adore Him alongside Mary, guarding and protecting the Child God with all his strength. The angels sing "Glory to God in the highest" and the shepherds come to adore. The Creator of the universe makes Himself small for love of us — and entrusted Himself to the care of Joseph.

4th Joyful Mystery — The Presentation in the Temple

Forty days after the birth, Mary and Joseph bring the Child to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfill the Law. Joseph and Mary presented the Child to the Lord, fulfilling the Law and hearing the prophecy of Simeon. The aged Simeon takes the Child in his arms and prophesies: "My eyes have seen Thy salvation." The prophetess Anna also recognizes the Messiah. Joseph and Mary marvel at what is said about the Child.

5th Joyful Mystery — The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

At twelve years of age, Jesus remains in the Temple of Jerusalem without Mary and Joseph knowing. Joseph and Mary searched for Jesus for three days in sorrow, finding Him in the Temple among the doctors, who marveled at His wisdom. St. Joseph endured the agony of loss and the joy of reunion. Jesus said to them: "Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" — and He went with them to Nazareth, being obedient to them.

1st Luminous Mystery — The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan

Jesus descends into the waters of the River Jordan and receives the baptism of John. The heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and the voice of the Father proclaims: "Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased." It is the manifestation of the Most Holy Trinity to the world and the beginning of the public life of Jesus. In Baptism, all humanity is called to become adoptive children of God through the grace that Christ won for us.

2nd Luminous Mystery — The Wedding at Cana

Jesus, Mary, and the disciples are invited to a wedding in Cana. When the wine runs out, Mary intercedes with her Son: "They have no wine." Jesus replies that His hour has not yet come, but Mary tells the servants: "Do whatever He tells you." Jesus transforms the water into wine, performing His first miracle. Mary is the intercessor who presents our needs to her Son and always directs us to obey Him.

3rd Luminous Mystery — The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God

Jesus travels through Galilee proclaiming: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." He teaches with authority in the synagogues, forgives sinners, heals the sick, and welcomes the outcasts of society. The Kingdom of God is not of this world, but is already present wherever there is justice, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Conversion is the path of entry into this Kingdom that reaches all.

4th Luminous Mystery — The Transfiguration

Jesus goes up Mount Tabor with Peter, James, and John. His face shines like the sun and His garments become white as light. Moses and Elijah appear conversing with Him, and the voice of the Father repeats: "This is My beloved Son; hear Him." The Transfiguration reveals the divine glory hidden in the humanity of Jesus and strengthens the faith of the disciples to endure the trial of the Passion that approaches.

5th Luminous Mystery — The Institution of the Eucharist

At the Last Supper, Jesus takes the bread and wine and transforms them into His Body and Blood: "Take this; this is My body. This is My blood, shed for many." He institutes the Eucharist as a perpetual memorial of His Passion and the ministerial priesthood to perpetuate it: "Do this in remembrance of Me." It is the sacrament of love without measure, in which the Lord remains with us until the end of time.

1st Sorrowful Mystery — The Agony in the Garden

Jesus prays in the Garden of Olives while the disciples fall asleep. With an anguished heart, He prays: "Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from Me; nevertheless, not My will but Thine be done." His sweat becomes like drops of blood. An angel comes to comfort Him. Jesus freely accepts the Passion out of love for us, offering the supreme example of filial obedience to the Father.

2nd Sorrowful Mystery — The Scourging at the Pillar

Jesus is bound to a pillar and cruelly scourged by order of Pilate. His sacred body is torn by the blows of the soldiers. Each wound is the price of our sin, and each drop of blood shed is proof of His infinite love for every human soul. The prophet Isaiah had foretold: "By His wounds we are healed." In this mystery, we contemplate what our redemption cost.

3rd Sorrowful Mystery — The Crowning with Thorns

The soldiers weave a crown of thorns and press it upon the head of Jesus. They clothe Him in purple and mock Him: "Hail, King of the Jews!" The King of kings accepts the humiliation and scorn to destroy our pride and vanity. Each thorn reminds us that true kingship lies in service and love, not in power and worldly glory. Pilate presents Him to the people: "Behold the man."

4th Sorrowful Mystery — The Carrying of the Cross

Jesus takes upon His shoulders the heavy cross and walks the road to Calvary. He falls three times under its weight, but continues. Simon of Cyrene is compelled to help Him. Veronica wipes His sacred face. Jesus encounters His Mother along the way. Each step is an act of love that invites us to accept and carry our own daily cross with faith and trust in the providence of God.

5th Sorrowful Mystery — The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

Jesus is nailed to the cross on Mount Calvary between two thieves. He entrusts His Mother to the care of John: "Behold thy mother." He forgives those who crucify Him. At noon, darkness covers the earth. At three o'clock, Jesus cries out: "Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit." He bows His head and gives up His spirit. The sacrifice of redemption is complete: the love of God has conquered sin and death.

1st Glorious Mystery — The Resurrection

At dawn on the third day after the Crucifixion, the women find the tomb empty. The angel announces: "He is not here; He is risen!" Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and then to all the Apostles. The Resurrection is the unshakable foundation of our faith: Christ has conquered death and opened for us the gates of eternal life. Without the Resurrection, our faith would be in vain.

2nd Glorious Mystery — The Ascension

Forty days after Easter, Jesus leads the disciples to the Mount of Olives and, blessing them, is taken up into heaven. The angels tell the Apostles: "This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way." Christ ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us with the Father and to send the promised Holy Spirit. The Ascension opens the horizon of eschatological hope for the whole Church.

3rd Glorious Mystery — The Descent of the Holy Spirit

On the day of Pentecost, the disciples are gathered with Mary in the Upper Room in prayer. Suddenly, a mighty wind fills the house and tongues of fire rest upon each one of them. All are filled with the Holy Spirit and go forth to preach with courage the wonders of God. It is the birth of the Church. The Holy Spirit continues to act in every baptized person, sanctifying, illuminating, and strengthening for witness.

4th Glorious Mystery — The Assumption of Mary

At the end of the course of her earthly life, Mary is taken up into heaven body and soul. It is the dogma of the Assumption, solemnly proclaimed by Pope Pius XII in 1950. The glorification of Mary is the anticipation and guarantee of the resurrection that awaits all who die in Christ. She precedes us on the journey and draws us toward the heavenly homeland, interceding for us before her Son as Mother and Queen.

5th Glorious Mystery — The Coronation of Mary as Queen

Mary is crowned Queen of heaven and earth, above all the angels and saints. She shares in the kingship of her Son not through worldly power, but through service and maternal intercession. Mary is Mother and Queen of mercy, who presents our petitions to Jesus and covers us with her maternal mantle. To contemplate this mystery is to glimpse the glorious destiny to which we are all called.

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