How to pray the rosary, step by step
Short answer: Hold the cross and make the Sign of the Cross, pray the Apostles' Creed, then one Our Father, three Hail Marys and a Glory Be on the beads below the medal. Then pray five decades — for each one, announce the mystery, pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be (many add the Fatima Prayer). Finish with the Hail, Holy Queen and the closing prayer.
The opening prayers (the pendant)
- On the cross: Sign of the Cross, then the Apostles' Creed.
- First large bead: Our Father.
- Three small beads: three Hail Marys, traditionally for an increase of faith, hope and charity.
- Before the next large bead: Glory Be.
The five decades
Each decade follows the same pattern:
- Announce the mystery (for example, "The first Joyful Mystery: the Annunciation") and pause to picture it.
- Large bead: Our Father.
- Ten small beads: ten Hail Marys while you meditate on the mystery.
- After the tenth bead: Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer ("O my Jesus, forgive us our sins…").
The closing prayers
After the fifth decade, at the medal: Hail, Holy Queen, the response, and the closing prayer ("O God, whose only begotten Son…"). End with the Sign of the Cross.
Which mysteries to pray
Joyful on Monday and Saturday, Sorrowful on Tuesday and Friday, Glorious on Wednesday and Sunday, Luminous on Thursday. See the mysteries by day.
If you get interrupted
A phone call or a knock at the door is the most common reason people start over. Note the decade and bead before you stop — or use an app that saves your place with every bead, so you continue from the same Hail Mary.
FAQ
How long does it take to pray the rosary?
About 15 to 25 minutes for five decades, depending on your pace and how long you pause on each mystery.
Do I need physical rosary beads?
No. Beads help you count, but you can count on your fingers or use an app that shows which bead you are on.
What if I lose count of the Hail Marys?
Many people do, especially when tired. An app that saves your place bead by bead, like Rosarly, lets you continue from the exact Hail Mary.
Pray bead by bead and never lose your place: get Rosarly (Google Play)