The Rosary combines in a unique way all three types of prayer: vocal, mental, and contemplative. 

The simple words of the Biblical prayers help focus the mind, while the mysteries of our Redemption occupy the imagination. Focusing on either the words or the mysteries opens our hearts to the action of God, as witnessed and experienced by the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose greatest desire is for us to come nearer to Christ. 

Five "decades" of the Rosary are usually prayed each day, but one can also pray one decade a day, or two, or three, depending on personal circumstances. 

INITIAL PRAYER: THE APOSTLES' CREED 

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

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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 the life everlasting. Amen. 

Express your personal intention.
As an introduction to the mysteries of the day, pray one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.
Then call to mind the first mystery and pray the first decade, likewise with the other four mysteries of the day.
Each mystery, or "decade", consists of one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. 

Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday) 

1. The annunciation and the incarnation of the Son of God.
2. Our Lady visits her cousin Elizabeth.
3. The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. The presentation of the Lord in the Temple.
5. The finding of Jesus in the Temple. 

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday) 

1. The agony of Christ in the garden.
2. The scourging of Christ at the pillar.
3. The crowning with thorns.
4. Jesus carries his cross.
5. Jesus dies on the cross. 

Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday) 

1. The Lord's resurrection.
2. The Lord's ascension.
3. The coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.
4. The assumption of Mary into Heaven.
5. The coronation of Mary, Mother of the Church. 

Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

1. The baptism of the Lord.

2. The wedding feast at Cana.

3. The proclamation of the kingdom.

4. The transfiguration.

5. The institution of the Eucharist.

 

After the fifth mystery pray the Hail, Holy Queen. 

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. 

Close with the sign of the cross.