Grace Thompson
The Rosary is a set of prayers used primarily in the Catholic Church, and the physical string of knots or beads used to count the prayers. The word Rosary means a crown of roses or garland of roses, where the roses represent prayers. The Rosary Prayer tells the story of the life of Jesus and his Mother, Mary. The Rosary begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarises the central tenets of the Catholic faith. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group. Rosary beads can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, bone, glass, semi-precious stones, and precious materials such as gold and silver.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning of the word Rosary | A chain of roses, where the roses are prayers |
| What does the Rosary Prayer tell about | The life of Jesus and his Mother, Mary |
| When is the month of the Rosary | October |
| Number of sets of Mysteries | Four |
| The four sets of Mysteries | Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous |
| What do the Joyful Mysteries represent | Events around the birth of Jesus |
| What do the Mysteries of Light represent | Events from the public ministry of Jesus |
| What do the Sorrowful Mysteries represent | Events surrounding the death of Jesus |
| What do the Glorious Mysteries represent | Events following the Resurrection of Jesus |
| Number of decades in a Rosary | Five |
| Number of beads in a Rosary | 59 |
| What is the Rosary ring | A finger ring with eleven knobs, ten round ones and one crucifix, representing one decade of a rosary |
| What are Rosary bracelets | Bracelets with ten beads and often a cross or medal |
| What are Rosary cards | Cards with a "handle" that moves like a slide rule to count the decade |
| What is the main function of Rosary beads | To count prayers |
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What You'll Learn
Make the sign of the cross
To begin the Rosary, make the Sign of the Cross while holding the crucifix of the rosary beads in your right hand. This is done by placing your right hand flat, with the palm facing your body, and then touching your forehead and saying "In the name of the Father," then touching your stomach and saying "and of the Son," then touching your left shoulder and saying "and of the Holy Spirit." Finally, bring your hand back to your right shoulder and conclude with "Amen." This is a traditional Christian gesture that is meant to be a renewal of baptism, a rejection of pride and evil, and a profession of faith.
The Sign of the Cross is a sacred and ancient practice in Christianity. It is a physical gesture that symbolizes the Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This act is deeply rooted in the Catholic Church and is often accompanied by the Trinitarian formula, as described above.
Making the Sign of the Cross is a devotional act that serves as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and the salvation He brings. It is also a means of seeking God's blessing and protection. In the early Church, this gesture was often made by tracing the cross on one's forehead, but over time, the current practice of touching one's forehead, chest, and shoulders became more prevalent.
When making the Sign of the Cross, it is customary to use one's right hand. This practice is symbolic and carries spiritual significance. In the past, the right hand was used for blessings and consecrations, while the left hand was often associated with punishment and excommunication. Thus, using the right hand for this sacred gesture emphasizes its positive and holy nature.
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Say the Apostles' Creed
To begin the Rosary, hold the crucifix and make the Sign of the Cross. Then, say the Apostles' Creed, a summary of the great mysteries and core beliefs of the Catholic faith:
> 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.
The Rosary can be said privately or with a group. It is a Scripture-based prayer that takes about 15–25 minutes to complete. It is not necessary to use Rosary beads, but they can help you count your prayers and free your mind to meditate.
The Rosary is structured as follows:
- Apostles' Creed
- Our Father
- Three Hail Marys
- Glory Be
- Five decades, each consisting of:
- Our Father
- Ten Hail Marys
- Glory Be
- Fatima Prayer
- Hail, Holy Queen
- Sign of the Cross
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Pray the Our Father
The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer that can be said privately or with a group. It is a way to grow closer to God and strengthen one's bond with Jesus Christ. The Rosary begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarises the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The "Our Father", which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels.
> 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.
The "Our Father" is also known as the Lord's Prayer, and it comes directly from Jesus in Matthew 6 when he teaches his disciples how to pray. It is said on the first bead of the Rosary.
After the "Our Father", you can say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads. Then, for each of the five decades, announce the Mystery, followed by the "Our Father" once more.
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Pray the Hail Mary
The Rosary is a devotion that honours Mary while focusing on the events in the life of Jesus Christ. It is a Scripture-based prayer that begins with the Apostles' Creed, a summary of the great mysteries of the Catholic faith.
The Hail Mary is the heart of the Rosary. You pray ten Hail Marys within each of the five decades, totalling 50 Hail Mary prayers at the end of your devotion. The Hail Mary is addressed directly to Mary, but it is to Jesus that the act of love is ultimately directed, with her and through her.
"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."
- Begin by holding the crucifix and saying the Sign of the Cross: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
- Say the Apostles' Creed on the single bead above the cross.
- On the next three beads, pray the Hail Mary.
- On the next single bead, announce the first mystery of contemplation and pray the Our Father.
- You will now come to the first decade, or set of 10 beads. Pray ten Hail Marys while contemplating the first mystery.
- After the 10th Hail Mary, you will have completed the first decade. Pray Glory Be, then O My Jesus, and then announce the next mystery.
- Continue in this manner through the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Mysteries.
- After the Fifth Mystery, you will come to the joiner, where you can decide to say another Chaplet or end.
- If you wish to end, say the Glory Be To The Father, the O My Jesus, the Our Father, and end with the Hail Holy Queen and the Sign of the Cross.
Remember, you can always pray just one decade (an Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, and a Glory Be) if that's all the time you have.
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Pray the Glory Be
The Rosary is a Christ-centred prayer that helps Catholics meditate on the lives of Jesus and Mary. It is a devotion in which Catholics ask for the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, to draw closer to her son, Jesus. The Rosary is usually prayed using a string of beads to keep track of the prayers. However, it is not necessary to use beads to pray the Rosary.
Praying the Rosary involves praying the Apostles' Creed, an Our Father, three Hail Marys, and then the Glory Be. The Glory Be is a prayer that goes as follows:
> 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.
After the Glory Be, Catholics may add the Fatima Prayer:
> 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.
Each decade of the Rosary (an Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and a Glory Be) recalls a different mystery, which refers to a different passage in the life of Christ or Mary. The Rosary is usually prayed in five decades, but a "full Rosary" consists of fifteen decades (Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious mysteries) in one day.
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Frequently asked questions
The rosary is a set of prayers used primarily in the Catholic Church, and the physical string of knots or beads used to count the component prayers. The word “Rosary” means a chain of roses, and the roses are prayers.
The Rosary begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles' Creed:
> I believe in one 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 adjudicate 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.
On the first bead, say an 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.
On the next three beads, say a Hail Mary on each bead:
> 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.
