Traditional Catholic Teaching

The Rosary

A Garland of Roses Dedicated to "the Mother of my Lord" (Luke 1: 43)

The Rosary is a Biblical prayer in which all Christians can participate and enjoy the many spiritual blessings it brings on one's home, family, friends and work. The Rosary is sometimes referred to as "the beads" (ie "the prayers,"), from Old English/German: beten (to pray) and bitten (to bid, or request). It is also called, "Our Lady's Psalter," since lay people often recited the 150 Angel's Salutations (St. Luke 1: 28) to correspond to the 150 Psalms prayed weekly by the clergy and monastics. Over the ages, Christians have accorded Mary, the Mother of Jesus, with many titles, among them Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary. Those who pray the Rosary soon understand why this is so.

More on: "The Queenship of Mary"

The Rosary In Our Spiritual Life

Introductory Prayers

The Rosary begins with the sign of the Cross.

In the name of the Father,
and the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.

We profess our Faith in the 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 Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from there he shall 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 Lord's Prayer: For the Pope's intentions.

Traditional

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.

Contemporary

Our Father, in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven, Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. Amen.

# Note: Wherever this forward slash appears, [ . / ], it indicates that the words up to that point could be recited by one person, and what follows by another or by a group.

We pray for an increase in faith, hope and love.

Traditional

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.

[Three times]

Contemporary

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. / Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

[Three times]

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

End of Introductory Prayers

Helpful Notes

Prayers Commonly Added

For Our Meditation

We now pray either the Joyful, Sorrowful or Glorious Mysteries.

The Five Joyful Mysteries

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries

The Five Glorious Mysteries