Saint Quotes on the Holy Rosary
See also: Meditations on the Rosary
from Ascending the Celestial Hierarchy
The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles’ Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel’s words announcing Christ’s birth and Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ’s life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Pope John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous.
The repetition in the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer related to each Mystery. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ’s spirit dwells. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group.
Choose the Mysteries you wish to pray. Each page includes the Scripture readings, Rosary prayers, and an audio recording. Or pray along on YouTube.
Traditionally prayed on Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays of Advent.
Traditionally prayed on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays of Lent.
Traditionally prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays outside of Lent and Advent.
Familiarize yourself and/or your group with the prayers of the Rosary.
- Make the Sign of the Cross.
- Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles’ Creed.
- On the first bead, say an Our Father.
- Say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads.
- Say the Glory Be.
- For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery (perhaps followed by the Scripture reading provided on the appropriate mystery page above), then say the Our Father.
- While fingering each of the next ten beads, say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery.
- Then say a Glory Be.
- After finishing each decade, some say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.
After saying the five decades, say:
- Hail, Holy Queen
- Optional: concluding prayer
- Optional: St. Michael Prayer
- Optional: Prayer to St. Joseph
- Optional: Prayers Adapted from Pope Francis for Times of Suffering
Most of the text and the image of the Rosary are taken from the web page of the U.S. Bishops: How to Pray the Rosary.
Thank you bishops and USCCB staff! You are in our prayers!