How to Say the Rosary
(Refer to bottom for a visual diagram)
Make the Sign of the Cross: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
(1) While holding the Crucifix in the hand, recite the Apostles’ Creed.
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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sitteth 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 Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
(2) On the first large bead, recite 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.
(3) On the three small beads recite the Hail Mary for an increase of 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.
(4) Between the beads, recite the Glory be to the Father.
Glory be to the Father, and to the son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
(5) Call to mind the first Mystery and reflect a moment upon it; then recite on the large bead the Our Father.
(6) On the ten small beads, recite the Hail Mary, keeping in mind the mystery.
(7&8) Between the beads, recite the Glory be to the Father. Then recite the Fatima Decade Prayer:
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. Amen.[1]
(9) Call to mind the second mystery, pray the Our Father, and repeat steps 6,7&8. Then do the same with the remaining three decades.
(10) Closing Prayers.
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 towards us. And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
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 Thee, that 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.
(10a) Optional Prayers (follow the closing Prayers)
Memorare
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins and Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
St Michael the Archangel
Holy Michael Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. — May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust down to hell Satan and all the wicked spirits, who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
(say three times)
V. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
R. Have mercy upon us.
To Thee, O Blessed St. Joseph (This prayer was prescribed by Pope Leo XIII for the month of October, to be recited after the Holy Rosary.)
TO THEE, O blessed Joseph, do we have recourse in our tribulation, and, having implored the help of thy thrice-holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also.
By that charity wherewith thou wast united to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray, that thou wouldst look graciously upon the inheritance which Jesus Christ hath purchased by His Blood, and assist us in our needs by thy power and strength.
Most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ; keep far from us, most loving father, all blight of error and corruption: mercifully assist us from Heaven, most mighty defender, in this our conflict with the powers of darkness; and, even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the supreme peril of His life, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; keep us one and all under thy continual protection, that we may be supported by thine example and thine assistance, may be enabled to lead a holy life, die a happy death and come at last to the possession of everlasting blessedness in Heaven. Amen.
[1] The Fatima Decade Prayer was requested by Our Lady of Fatima (June 13, 1917).