How to Pray the Rosary and Understand Each Meditation
If you're holding a rosary and wondering what to do next—you’re in the right place. While rosaries may appear to be beautiful jewelry, they’re not meant to be worn, but lovingly held and used as a spiritual roadmap. If you want, we can make a companion necklace or bracelet to match your rosary. The rosary is a powerful tool to help center yourself in prayer, deepen your relationship with God, and meditate on the life of Christ.
A full rosary includes 20 decades and nearly 250 prayers, but the Church recognizes that most people may not have the time to pray the entire set each day. That’s why a standard rosary consists of five decades and follows a daily cycle of meditations. These meditations are reflections on different events from the lives of Jesus and Mary—known as the Mysteries of the Rosary. Each mystery calls us to enter more deeply into faith, and helps us find parallels in our own lives.
This guide walks you through how to pray the rosary and what each of the daily meditations mean.
Step-by-Step: How the Rosary is Prayed
Begin at the Crucifix Make the Sign of the Cross and say: “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.”
Recite the Apostle’s Creed While still holding the crucifix, pray the Creed. This outlines our core beliefs and prepares your heart for deeper reflection.
Say the Our Father On the next segment of beads with a larger one in the middle, pray the Lord’s Prayer to center your focus and begin your intentions.
Say Three Hail Marys On the next three beads, pray for an increase in the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.
Pray the Glory Be This short prayer honors the Holy Trinity and brings praise to God.
Announce and Reflect upon the First Mystery of the Day There are mysteries assigned to each day, look at the set of mysteries assigned to today (see below). Announce the first reflection, hold it in your heart, and pray an Our Father.
- Pray Ten Hail Marys (One Decade) While meditating on the mystery, pray one Hail Mary for each of the ten beads in the decade.
- Conclude the Decade After the ten Hail Marys, pray the following:
Glory Be: Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Fatima Prayer: “Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, and lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.”
Note: We designed a “training wheels” rosary with two square beads before each of the large Our Father beads to help guide those new to praying the rosary through this step of closing one decade of Hail Marys with the Glory Be and Fatima prayer.
- Repeat for All Five Decades Look at the next reflection for your next decade of Hail Marys, and continue the meditative cycle: Announce the next mystery, pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, a Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer. Do this for all five decades.
At the Centerpiece Once you’ve completed all five mysteries, stop at the centerpiece (which might feature Mary, St. Michael, the Holy Family, or your favorite saint). Here, recite the Hail Holy Queen.
Conclusion Prayer: 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 upon 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.
Extra Credit Prayer to Mary The Memorare: (Sometimes you’re on a roll and want to give some continued prayerful shout-outs) Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Final Prayer and Sign of the Cross End your rosary with a personal prayer to God, then make the Sign of the Cross once more.
Carry That Peace Forward With your mind and spirit focused, step into the rest of your day feeling grounded and guided. Remember to love all you meet. Love is one of the most difficult things to channel and it’s the cornerstone of what God want for us and for us to share with the world.
Reflections of the Mysteries of the Rosary
The rosary is divided into four sets of mysteries, each with five meditations that reflect key moments in the lives of Jesus and Mary. These mysteries are rotated by day, offering a full spiritual journey across the week.
These meditations reflect on Christ’s early life and the joy brought into the world through Mary’s humble agreement to be the Lord’s handmaid.
The Annunciation – God’s people waited thousands of years for the Redeemer to come. The good news was first made known to a humble virgin in a poor village. God chose Mary and Gabriel tells Mary she will bear the Son of God. Without hesitation, Mary asserts her willingness to raise the Christ child.
The fruit of this Mystery is HumilityThe Visitation – Mary visits Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist.
Fruit: Love of neighborThe Nativity – Jesus is born in a humble manger.
Fruit: Poverty of spiritThe Presentation in the Temple – Jesus is recognized as the Messiah by Simeon and Anna.
Fruit: ObedienceThe Finding of Jesus in the Temple – Mary and Joseph find Jesus teaching in the temple.
Fruit: Piety
These reflections invite you to meditate on Christ’s suffering and the gift of His sacrifice.
The Agony in the Garden – Jesus prays in Gethsemane.
Fruit: Surrender to God’s willThe Scourging at the Pillar – Jesus is brutally whipped.
Fruit: PurityThe Crowning with Thorns – Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns.
Fruit: Moral courageThe Carrying of the Cross – Jesus carries His cross to Calvary.
Fruit: PatienceThe Crucifixion – Jesus dies for our sins.
Fruit: Perseverance and Salvation
These mysteries celebrate the triumph and glory of Jesus and Mary.
The Resurrection – Jesus rises from the dead.
Fruit: FaithThe Ascension – Jesus ascends into Heaven.
Fruit: HopeThe Descent of the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles.
Fruit: WisdomThe Assumption of Mary – Mary is taken into Heaven body and soul.
Fruit: Devotion to MaryThe Coronation of Mary – Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven.
Fruit: Eternal happiness
These focus on Christ’s public ministry and His light in the world.
The Baptism in the Jordan – The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus.
Fruit: Openness to the Holy SpiritThe Wedding at Cana – Jesus performs His first miracle through Mary’s intercession.
Fruit: Trust in Mary’s intercessionThe Proclamation of the Kingdom – Jesus preaches repentance and conversion.
Fruit: Desire for repentanceThe Transfiguration – Jesus reveals His divine glory.
Fruit: Desire for holinessThe Institution of the Eucharist – Jesus offers His Body and Blood.
Fruit: Love for the Eucharist
The Prayers Within the Rosary
Every rosary from Faith in Mary is rooted in the sacred prayers that shape the Catholic faith. These prayers are more than words—they are rituals of connection, devotion, and transformation:
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.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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.
and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.
maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through Him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation He came down from Heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead
and His Kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Nicene Creed- The Apostle’s Creed is an abbreviated version of the Apostle’s Creed. When I’m preparing to meditate on the rosary, I love the Nicene Creed.
Saint-Specific Devotions
Every rosary from Faith in Mary is rooted in the sacred prayers that shape the Catholic faith. These prayers are more than words—they are rituals of connection, devotion, and transformation:
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
I choose you this day to be my father, guardian, and protector.
O you who are the head of the Holy Family,
intercede for me in all the trials of life.
Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life.
After your example, may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God,
in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
O Blessed Saint Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
These saint-specific prayers will continue to grow in presence across our site and rosary collections—adding layers of meaning and intercession for those who are drawn to the particular strengths and virtues of each saint.
What’s Next?
Browse our handcrafted rosaries, each designed with purpose and prayer and stay tuned for our branded prayer cards and booklets to deepen your experience. Thank you for beginning your journey in prayer with us. May each bead bring you closer to peace, purpose, and the loving presence of God.