Rosary
How to pray the rosary
Seven steps, with every prayer written out below and today’s five mysteries filled in. The steps follow the USCCB’s guide.
- Make the Sign of the Cross.
- Holding the crucifix, say the Apostles’ Creed.
- On the first large bead, say the Our Father.
- On each of the next three beads, say a Hail Mary.
- Say the Glory Be.
- Pray the five decades. For each one, announce the mystery, say the Our Father on the large bead, then a Hail Mary on each of the ten small beads while thinking about the mystery, and finish with the Glory Be. Many also add the Fatima Prayer.
- After the fifth decade, say the Hail, Holy Queen and the closing prayer, then make the Sign of the Cross.
Today’s five decades
Thursday, October 1, 2026: the Luminous Mysteries. Other days →
- The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
Fruit: Openness to the Holy Spirit · Matthew 3:16-17 - The Wedding at Cana
Fruit: To Jesus through Mary · John 2:3-5 - The Proclamation of the Kingdom
Fruit: Conversion · Mark 1:14-15 - The Transfiguration
Fruit: Desire for holiness · Matthew 17:1-2, 17:5 - The Institution of the Eucharist
Fruit: Adoration · Matthew 26:26-28
Friday, October 2, 2026: the Sorrowful Mysteries. Other days →
- The Agony in the Garden
Fruit: Obedience to God’s will · Luke 22:41-44 - The Scourging at the Pillar
Fruit: Mortification · Mark 15:15 - The Crowning with Thorns
Fruit: Courage · Matthew 27:28-29 - The Carrying of the Cross
Fruit: Patience · John 19:16-17 - The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord
Fruit: Sorrow for our sins · Luke 23:33-34, 23:46
Saturday, October 3, 2026: the Joyful Mysteries. Other days →
- The Annunciation
Fruit: Humility · Luke 1:28-31, 1:38 - The Visitation
Fruit: Love of neighbor · Luke 1:41-42 - The Nativity
Fruit: Poverty · Luke 2:6-7 - The Presentation in the Temple
Fruit: Purity of heart and body · Luke 2:22, 2:28-32 - The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Fruit: Devotion to Jesus · Luke 2:46-49
The prayers
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
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 the life everlasting. Amen.
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.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amongst 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.
Glory Be
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.
Fatima Prayer (optional)
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail 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.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Closing prayer
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 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.
Prayer texts: traditional wording from the Baltimore Catechism No. 1 (1885), public domain; the Hail, Holy Queen in its traditional translation of the Salve Regina; the Fatima Prayer and closing prayer as given by the USCCB. Many parishes now say “Holy Spirit” for “Holy Ghost” and “among women” for “amongst women”; both are fine.