This quick guide to the Rosary is adapted from A Simple Prayer Book and Understanding the Rosary. Bookmark this page so it’s handy until you know it by heart.

Taking a set of Rosary beads:
1. On the crucifix: make the Sign of the Cross and say the Apostles’ Creed
2. On the first bead: say the Our Father (said for the intentions of the Holy Father)
3. On the next three beads: three Hail Marys (asking for the virtues of faith, hope, and love)
4. On the space: Glory be to the Father
5. On the single bead: announce the first Mystery and say the Our Father
6. On the 10 beads: 10 Hail Marys
7. On the space: Glory be to the Father, followed by the Fatima Prayer
8. On the single bead: announce the second Mystery, say the Our Father, etc.
9. At the end: Hail, Holy Queen

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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 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 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.

Glory be to the Father

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.

Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.

The Hail Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy; hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your 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 you, that meditating on these Mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

It is common to pray five mysteries at a time, according to the day of the week:

I. The Five Joyful Mysteries (Mondays, Saturdays)

1. The Annunciation. (Lk 1:26-38)
2. The Visitation. (Lk 1:39-45)
3. The Nativity. (Lk 2:1-7)
4. The Presentation in the Temple. (Lk 2: 22-35)
5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple. (Lk 2:41-52)

II. The Five Mysteries of Light (Thursdays)

1. The Baptism of the Lord. (Mt 3:13-17)
2. The Marriage at Cana. (Jn 2:1-12)
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom and call to conversion. (Mk 1:14-15; 2:3-12)
4. The Transfiguration. (Lk 9:28-36)
5. The Institution of the Eucharist. (Mt 26:26-29)

III. The Five Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays, Fridays)

1. The Prayer and Agony in the Garden. (Mk 14:32-42)
2. The Scourging at the Pillar. (Mt 27:15-26)
3. The Crowning with Thorns. (Mt 27:27-31)
4. The Carrying of the Cross. (Jn 19:15-17; Lk 23:27-32)
5. The Crucifixion and Death. (Lk 23:33-38, 44-46)

IV. The Five Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays, Sundays)

1. The Resurrection. (Mt 28:1-8)
2. The Ascension of Christ into Heaven. (Ac 1:6-11)
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit. (Ac 2:1-12)
4. The Assumption. (1 Th 4:13-18)
5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Rv 12:1; 14:1-5: Is 6:1-3)