Praying the Rosary | Step-By-Step Rosary Guide
Praying the Rosary can be tough; we try to make it easier! Follow our step-by-step numerical guide.
Italics indicate notes, bold indicates a verbal prayer. L. indicates leader. R. indicates persons responding. If praying alone, pray both L. and R.
1. Make the Sign of the Cross
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
You may take the opportunity to offer up personal intentions to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
2. Pray the Apostles Creed (Crucifix)
L. "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."
R. "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."
3. Pray the Our Father (First single bead up from Crucifix)
The First Our Father can be offered for the Holy Father, the Pope and his intentions. It can also be offered for all Priests and Bishops.
L. "Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."
R. "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. Pray Three Hail Marys (Group of three beads, each offered for increase in the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity)
L. "Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus."
R. "Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen."
5. Pray the Glory Be (After praying all Hail Marys)
L. "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,"
R. "...as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."
6. Leader recites the first mystery.
Visit our page on the Mysteries of the Rosary for more details on praying with the mysteries, the fruits that correspond with each, and the accompanying scripture passages. https://www.sheenrosaries.com/pages/mysteries
7. Pray the Our Father (Next single bead above group of three)
8. Pray ten Hail Marys (First group of ten beads)
9. Pray the Glory Be
10. Pray the Fatima Prayer
L. "Oh my Jesus,"
R. "...forgive us our sins, and save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven especially those in most need of Thy mercy."
Optional after the Fatima prayer:
L. "Oh Mary concieved without sin,"
R. "pray for us who have recourse to thee."
11. Repeat steps 6-10 for the second, third, fourth and fifth mysteries working your way around the loop of beads.
12. Pray the Hail, Holy Queen (Centerpiece)
L. "Hail, Holy Queen,"
R. "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, O most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. (Beating at the breast three times:) O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary."
L. "Pray for us O holy Mother of God,"
R. "...that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ."
13. Pray the closing prayer
L. "Let us pray,"
R. "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 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."
After the closing prayer, you may ask your patron Saint or Saints for their intercession. For example: "Mary, Mother of God, PRAY FOR US. St. Joseph..."
14. Make the Sign of the Cross
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
For many more resources about praying the Rosary, visit our YouTube Channel by clicking here.