Begin the Rosary.
Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries.
Choose a set of mysteries. The customary days are listed below.
0 of 5 mysteries marked prayed.
Before the first mystery
Begin at the crucifix.
Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles’ Creed. On the first bead pray the Our Father; on the next three pray Hail Marys for faith, hope, and charity; then pray the Glory Be.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come 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 life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
0 of 5 mysteries marked prayed on this device. Your marks remain until you choose to begin again.
Read the complete Rosary guide
How to pray the Rosary.
- On the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles’ Creed.
- On the first bead, pray the Our Father; on the next three, pray three Hail Marys for faith, hope, and charity; then pray the Glory Be.
- Announce the first mystery, read its Gospel passage or hold the scene before your mind, and pray the Our Father.
- Pray ten Hail Marys while contemplating the mystery; then pray the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
- Continue through all five mysteries. Close with the Hail Holy Queen and the concluding prayer.
The prayers
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come 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 life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
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. Amen.
Closing Prayer
O God, whose Only Begotten Son, by His life, Death, and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Joyful Monday and Saturday · Luminous Thursday · Sorrowful Tuesday and Friday · Glorious Wednesday and Sunday.
These offerings and prayers after the fifteen traditional decades are from Montfort’s First Method, with his original numbering. The Luminous passages are from the Douay-Rheims Bible.
Joyful Mysteries
- 1
The Annunciation
Luke 1:26–38
We offer You this first decade, Lord Jesus, in honor of the mystery of Your Incarnation, and we ask You, through this mystery and through the intercession of Your holy Mother, a profound humility of heart.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 1 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the mystery of the Incarnation, descend into my soul and make it truly humble.
- 2
The Visitation
Luke 1:39–56
We offer You, Lord Jesus, this second decade in honor of the Visitation of Your holy Mother to her cousin Saint Elizabeth, and we ask You, through this mystery and the intercession of Mary, a perfect charity toward our neighbor.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 2 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the mystery of the Visitation, descend into my soul and make it truly charitable.
- 3
The Nativity
Luke 2:1–20
We offer You this third decade, Infant Jesus, in honor of Your holy Nativity, and we ask You, through this mystery and the intercession of Your holy Mother, detachment from the goods of the world, and the love of poverty and the poor.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 3 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the mystery of the Nativity, descend into my soul and make it poor in spirit.
- 4
The Presentation
Luke 2:22–35
We offer You, Lord Jesus, this fourth decade in honor of Your Presentation in the temple by the hands of Mary, and we ask You, through this mystery and the intercession of Your holy Mother, the gift of wisdom and purity of heart and body.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 4 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the mystery of the Purification, descend into my soul and make it truly wise and pure.
- 5
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Luke 2:41–52
We offer You, Lord Jesus, this fifth decade in honor of Mary's finding of You among the doctors in the Temple, after she had lost You, and we ask You, through this mystery and the intercession of Your holy Mother, our conversion and that of sinners, heretics, schismatics, and idolaters.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 5 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the mystery of the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, descend into my soul and convert it truly.
Luminous Mysteries
- 1
The Baptism of Jesus
Matthew 3:16–17
And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
- 2
The Wedding at Cana
John 2:1–11
And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? My hour is not yet come. His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye. Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water: the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, And saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
- 3
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
Mark 1:14–15
And after that John was delivered up, Jesus came in Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying: The time is accomplished and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel:
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
- 4
The Transfiguration
Matthew 17:1–5
And after six days Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him.
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
- 5
The Institution of the Eucharist
Luke 22:19–20
And taking bread, he gave thanks and brake and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me. In like manner, the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
Sorrowful Mysteries
- 1
The Agony in the Garden
Luke 22:39–46
We offer You, Lord Jesus, this sixth decade in honor of Your mortal Agony in the Garden of Olives, and we ask You, through this mystery and through the intercession of Your holy Mother, a perfect contrition of our sins and a perfect conformity to Your holy will.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 6 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the Agony of Jesus, descend into my soul and make it truly contrite and conformed to the will of God.
- 2
The Scourging at the Pillar
John 19:1
We offer You, Lord Jesus, this seventh decade in honor of Your bloody Flagellation, and we ask You, through this mystery and the intercession of Your holy Mother, a perfect mortification of our senses.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 7 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the Flagellation of Jesus, descend into my soul and make it truly self-denying.
- 3
The Crowning with Thorns
Matthew 27:27–31
We offer You, Lord Jesus, this eighth decade in honor of Your cruel Crowning with Thorns, and we ask You, through this mystery and the intercession of Your holy Mother, a great contempt for the world.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 8 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the mystery of the Crowning with Thorns of Jesus, descend into my soul and make it truly opposed to the spirit of the world.
- 4
The Carrying of the Cross
Luke 23:26–32
We offer You, Lord Jesus, this ninth decade in honor of Your Carrying of the Cross, and we ask You through this mystery and the intercession of Your holy Mother, great patience in carrying our cross after You all the days of our lives.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 9 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the mystery of the Carrying of the Cross, descend into my soul and make it truly patient.
- 5
The Crucifixion
John 19:25–30
We offer You, Lord Jesus, this tenth decade in honor of Your Crucifixion on Calvary, and we ask You, through this mystery and the intercession of Your holy Mother, a great horror of sin, the love of the Cross, and a good death for ourselves and for those who are now in agony.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 10 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the mystery of the Death and Passion of Jesus Christ, descend into my soul and make it truly holy.
Glorious Mysteries
- 1
The Resurrection
John 20:1–18
We offer You, Lord Jesus, this eleventh decade in honor of Your triumphant Resurrection, and we ask You, through this mystery and the intercession of Your holy Mother, a lively faith.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 11 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the Resurrection, descend into my soul and make it truly faithful.
- 2
The Ascension
Acts 1:6–11
We offer You, Lord Jesus, this twelfth decade in honor of Your glorious Ascension, and we ask You, through this mystery and the intercession of Your holy Mother, a firm hope and a great desire for Paradise.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 12 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the mystery of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, descend into my soul and make it truly heavenly.
- 3
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1–4
We offer You, Holy Spirit, this thirteenth decade in honor of the mystery of Pentecost, and we ask You, through this mystery and the intercession of Mary, Your faithful Spouse, divine wisdom to know, savor, and practice the truth, and to share it with everyone throughout the world.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 13 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of Pentecost, descend into my soul and make it truly wise according to God.
- 4
The Assumption of Mary
Revelation 12:1
We offer You, Lord Jesus, this fourteenth decade in honor of the Immaculate Conception and of the bodily Assumption of Your holy Mother into Heaven, and we ask You, through these two mysteries and her intercession, a true devotion toward her, to live well and to die well.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 14 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the Immaculate Conception and of the Assumption of Mary, descend into my soul and make it truly devoted to Mary.
- 5
The Coronation of Mary
Revelation 12:1; Psalm 45:9
We offer You, Lord Jesus, this fifteenth and final decade in honor of the Crowning of glory of Your holy Mother in the heavens, and we ask You, through this mystery and her intercession, perseverance and growth in virtue until death and the eternal crown which is prepared for us.
St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary · First Method, decade 15 (offering excerpt)
Our Father · 10 Hail Marys · Glory Be · Fatima Prayer
After the decade:
Grace of the Crowning of Mary, descend into my soul and make it truly persevering until the end.
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