How to Pray the Holy Rosary

Prayers    History    Mysteries    Litanies  

Praying the Rosary is a beautiful Catholic devotion that helps us meditate on the life of Jesus and Mary. It combines vocal prayer with reflection on key events of salvation called Mysteries. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide (please see steps in the picture below):

1. Sign of the Cross and The Apostles’ Creed – on the crucifix

2. Our Father – on the first large bead

3. Three Hail Marys – on the next three small beads:

• Pray: For the virtue of faith, then Hail Mary
• Pray: For the virtue of hope, then Hail Mary
• Pray: For the virtue of charity, then Hail Mary

4. Glory Be – after the three Hail Marys

5. Pray the first decade

• • Announce the First Mystery (depending on the day). Continue the steps to pray a decade...

6. Pray the second decade

• • Announce the Second Mystery (depending on the day). Continue the steps to pray a decade...

7. Pray the third decade

• • Announce the Third Mystery (depending on the day). Continue the steps to pray a decade...

8. Pray the fourth decade

• • Announce the Fourth Mystery (depending on the day). Continue the steps to pray a decade...

9. Pray the fifth decade

• • Announce the Fifth Mystery (depending on the day). Continue the steps to pray a decade...

10. Closing Prayers

After the five decades, pray:

• Hail, Holy Queen

• Let Us Pray:

  O 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 while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen

• Finish with the Sign of the Cross.

11. Pray a Litany (Optional but utmost recommended)

Praying a litany after the Rosary is not required for Catholics, but it is a deeply rooted devotional practice with several spiritual benefits. Here are the main reasons why many Catholics choose to add a litany—especially the Litany of Loreto—after finishing the Rosary:

• It helps complete the Rosary with an act of praise and devotion

The Rosary is a meditation on the life of Christ through Mary. A litany beautifully concludes this meditation by shifting the heart from contemplation to loving praise, expressing trust and gratitude to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

• It deepens Marian devotion and reinforces the themes of the mysteries

The Litany of Loreto, for example, highlights Mary’s titles, virtues, and roles in salvation history. After praying the mysteries, the litany allows Catholics to express the fruits of the meditation by honouring Mary and entrusting themselves to her intercession.

• It helps gather and “seal” the prayers just offered

Litanies are rhythmic and intercessory. By praying one at the end:

• • you gather all intentions you’ve prayed for during the Rosary,

  • and present them in a calm, steady, structured form,
    almost like sealing the entire prayer with a final act of trust.

• It connects to longstanding Catholic tradition

For centuries, popes have encouraged praying the Rosary with the Litany of Loreto afterward. Saints and communities around the world include a litany as part of the customary way to “complete” the Rosary, especially during May and October.

• It fosters humility and perseverance in prayer

Litanies lead the soul through repeated invocations. This repetition:

• • builds humility (“pray for us”),

  • strengthens perseverance,

  • and helps the heart remain focused a little longer in God’s presence.

• It offers an opportunity for communal unity

In group Rosaries, litanies create a moment of shared voice, where everyone participates together. This reinforces the communal nature of Catholic prayer.

Mysteries of the Rosary

Each day focuses on a different set of Mysteries:

• Joyful Mysteries (Monday & Saturday)

  1. The Annunciation

  2. The Visitation

  3. The Nativity

  4. The Presentation

  5. The Finding in the Temple

• 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

  5. The Coronation of Mary

• 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