How do I pray the Rosary?

The Rosary is a series of prayers which one says while meditating upon different aspects or mysteries of the life of Christ and Mary. The practice is believed to have begun during the first centuries when lay people, who could not read, used it to imitate the monastic office or Liturgy of Hours said by the monks. The 150 Ave Marias corresponded to the 150 Psalms. The first historical reference to our present form of the rosary was around 1200 with St. Dominic. 

The Rosary is divided up into 10 prayers (called a decade) per mystery. People often use a series of beads to help focus them.  Each day we meditate on five mysteries and there are different mysteries depending on the day and season.

Joyful Mysteries: (Mondays & Saturdays; Sundays in Christmas)
The Annunciation 
The Visitation
The Nativity
The Presentation 
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Sorrowful Mysteries: (Tuesdays & Fridays; Sundays in Lent)
The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion

Glorious Mysteries: (Wednesdays & Sundays)
The Resurrection
The Ascension
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Assumption
The Coronation

Luminous Mysteries: (Thursdays)
The Baptism of the Jesus
The Wedding of Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist

One begins by making the Sign of the Cross and reciting the Apostles' Creed, followed by the Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. After each mystery is announced, one says an Our Father followed by 10 Hail Marys and a Glory Be. Often the Fatima prayer ("Oh my Jesus, forgive our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls into heaven, especially those who have the greatest need for your mercy. Amen.") is followed. The whole process is repeated four times for a total of five mysteries. This is followed by the Hail Holy Queen prayer.

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