The complete text of every prayer, from the opening Sign of the Cross to the closing Hail Holy Queen. Pray them slowly; the words have carried millions of souls.
Made at the beginning and end of the Rosary, and at the start of every prayer in the Catholic tradition. As you say the words, touch your forehead, then your chest, then your left shoulder, then your right.
Prayed on the crucifix at the very beginning of the Rosary. This is one of the oldest summaries of the Christian faith, tracing the essential doctrines handed down from the Apostles. Every sentence is a compressed volume of theology.
Prayed on the large bead before each decade, and on the first single bead after the crucifix. Christ himself gave us this prayer when the disciples asked him how to pray (Matthew 6:9–13). The Church calls it the “summary of the whole Gospel” (CCC 2761).
The heart of the Rosary. Prayed ten times per decade (fifty times in the full Rosary). The first half is taken almost word for word from Sacred Scripture: the angel Gabriel’s greeting in Luke 1:28 and Elizabeth’s greeting in Luke 1:42. The second half is the Church’s own petition, asking Mary’s intercession.
After the opening Creed, three Hail Marys are prayed on the small beads near the crucifix, traditionally offered for an increase in faith, hope, and charity.
Prayed at the end of each decade, after the ten Hail Marys. The Gloria Patri (Glory to the Father) is one of the oldest Christian doxologies, a short burst of praise directed to the Holy Trinity. It brings each decade to a close before the optional Fatima Prayer.
Prayed after the Glory Be at the end of each decade. This prayer was given by Our Lady at Fátima in 1917, when she asked that it be added to the Rosary. It is optional, but widely used. It is a prayer of reparation, acknowledging the mercy of God toward sinners.
The traditional closing prayer of the Rosary, prayed after all five decades are complete. The Salve Regina is one of the great Marian antiphons of the Church, dating to at least the eleventh century. Its imagery is rich and beautiful: Mary as our life, our sweetness, our hope, in this vale of tears.
The Salve Regina is traditionally followed by a versicle and response: “Pray for us, O holy Mother of God” / “That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.” Then conclude with the Sign of the Cross.
Ready to pray? Return to the step-by-step guide.
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