When first learning how to pray the rosary, it is important to understand that the rosary is a combination of both prayer and meditation. One must say the rosary prayers while simultaneously meditating on the "

rosary mysteries

". The prayers of the rosary are recited in a specific sequence, and the rosary mysteries that are used for meditation vary depending on the day of the week and the time of year.

In order to learn how to pray the rosary effectively, you will need to learn the following:

- The

rosary prayers

used for saying the rosary.

- The

mysteries of the rosary

and the days they are used for meditation.

- The order in which the rosary prayers are recited.

Since it may take some time before you memorize all the rosary prayers and mysteries, it may be easiest if you first familiarize yourself with the order in which the rosary prayers are recited. The diagram below shows how to pray the rosary using an ordinary pair of rosary beads.

How to Pray the Rosary

Praying the rosary can be summarized as follows:

Opening Prayers


- Make the "Sign of the Cross" and say the "Apostle's Creed".

- Say one "Our Father".

- Say three "Hail Mary" prayers (for an increase in faith, hope, and charity).

- Say the "Glory Be".

Combined Prayer & Meditation


- Announce the first mystery for the current day.

- Say one "Our Father".

- Say ten "Hail Mary" prayers while meditating on the first rosary mystery.

- Say one "Glory Be".

- Say the "Fatima Prayer" (optional but recommended).

- Repeat this sequence for remaining mysteries.

Concluding Prayers


- Say one "Hail, Holy Queen".

- Finish with the "Sign of the Cross".

Optional prayers


- After each "Glory Be" it has become tradition to recite the "Fatima Prayer".

- Include the "Let Us Pray", "Memorare", and/or "Prayer to St. Michael" at the end of the rosary.

- Most Catholics pray an "Our Father", "Hail Mary", and "Glory Be" for the Pope.