How to Pray the Rosary (Made Simple)

The Rosary is one of the most beloved prayers of the Catholic faith. It helps us reflect on the life of Jesus through the eyes of Mary, His Mother. While it may look complicated at first, praying the Rosary is simple once you know the steps and the prayers.

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross

Make the Sign of the Cross:
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

2. The Apostles’ Creed

On the crucifix, pray the Apostles’ Creed:
“I believe in 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; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will 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.”

3. The Our Father

On the first large bead, pray 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.”

4. Three Hail Mary

On the next three small beads, pray three Hail Mary for an increase in faith, hope, and charity:
“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 at the hour of our death. Amen.”

5. The Glory Be

Then pray the Glory Be:
“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.”

6. Announce the First Mystery and Begin the Decade

Announce the first mystery (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, or Luminous depending on the day).
On the large bead, pray the Our Father. On the next ten small beads, pray ten Hail Mary while meditating on the mystery. End the decade with the Glory Be and, if you wish, the Fatima Prayer:

“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.”

7. Continue Through All Five Mysteries

Repeat the same steps for each of the five mysteries, moving around the beads.

8. Closing Prayers

After the five decades, pray the 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 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.”

Then 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 Thee, that while meditating upon 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.”

End with the Sign of the Cross.

Why the Rosary Matters

The Rosary is more than a set of repeated prayers. It is a meditation on the Gospel, a prayer of love to Jesus through Mary, and a source of peace for the soul.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to pray the Rosary is simple once you know the steps and prayers. This devotion is for everyone, no matter where they are in their faith journey.

Pick up your Rosary today. Let Mary guide you, and she will always lead you closer to her Son, Jesus.