How to pray the Rosary
By Catholic Digest Staff
It is customary to assign each chaplet to a particular day of the week. Rosarium Virginis Mariae (RVM) suggests that the Joyful mysteries be prayed on Monday and Saturday, the Luminous on Thursday, the Sorrowful on Tuesday and Friday, and the Glorious on Wednesday and Sunday.
One popular opening prayer is the first verse of Psalm 70, “O God, come to my assistance. O Lord make haste to help me.” A variation of the opening prayer is to say the Apostles Creed.
This is followed by an Our Father, three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Then announce the chaplet and the first mystery; for example, “The five Joyful mysteries, the first mystery, the Annunciation.”
After announcing each mystery, pause for the proclamation of a related biblical passage, and silence for meditation. Then follow with the Our Father, the decade of Hail Marys, and the Glory Be for each of the five mysteries.
There are different ways to conclude. Typical, however, is to end with the Hail Holy Queen or Memorare.
The Joyful Mysteries
1) Annunciation by Gabriel to the Virgin Mary
2) Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
3) Birth of the Savior of the world
4) Presentation of Jesus in the temple
5) Finding of 12-year-old Jesus in the temple
The Luminous Mysteries
1) Baptism of Jesus
2) Jesus at the wedding of Cana
3) Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God
4) Jesus’ transfiguration
5) Jesus institutes the Eucharist
The Sorrowful Mysteries
1) Anguish of Jesus in Gethsemane
2) Jesus is scourged
3) Jesus is crowned with thorns
4) Jesus carries his cross
5) Jesus dies on the cross
The Glorious Mysteries
1) Resurrection of Jesus from the dead
2) Jesus ascends into glory
3) The Spirit outpours upon Mary and the disciples at Pentecost
4) Mary is assumed into Heaven
5) Mary shines forth as Queen of the Angels and Saints
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Memorare
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 confidence, I fly to 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.