A simple, step-by-step guide for beginners
The Rosary is a simple prayer that helps us look at the life of Jesus through the eyes of His mother, Mary. You don't need to know everything to begin. If you can pray an Our Father and a Hail Mary, you can pray the Rosary.
A rosary, if you have one. If not, you can count on your fingers. What matters is your heart, not the beads.
On the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles' Creed.
On the first large bead, pray the Our Father.
On the next three beads, pray a Hail Mary on each, for faith, hope, and love.
Pray the Glory Be.
Announce the first mystery, then pray the Our Father on the large bead.
On the ten small beads, pray ten Hail Marys while reflecting on the mystery.
Pray the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
Repeat steps 5 to 7 for the remaining four decades.
Close with the Hail, Holy Queen and the Sign of the Cross.
A group of ten Hail Marys is called a decade. A full Rosary has five decades and takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
While we pray each decade, we reflect on a moment from the life of Jesus and Mary, called a mystery. There are four sets of five mysteries, each prayed on certain days:
Monday and Saturday — Jesus's birth and childhood
Tuesday and Friday — His Passion and death
Wednesday and Sunday — His Resurrection and what followed
Thursday — His public life
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.
One decade a day is a real prayer, not a failure.
Gently coming back is part of the prayer.
In the car, on a walk, or with your children.
While your lips pray, let your heart look at Jesus.
New to the Rosary? Our free Beginner Path teaches you one small step each day, until you're praying the full Rosary.