How to Pray the Rosary

A complete, step-by-step guide to praying the Holy Rosary — including the four sets of mysteries, the structure of each decade, and answers to common questions.

The Rosary is one of the most loved Catholic prayers — a quiet, meditative way of contemplating the life of Christ through the eyes of his Mother. This guide walks you through every step, so that whether you are picking up the beads for the first time or returning after years away, you can pray confidently and deeply.

What is the Rosary?

The Rosary is built around twenty “mysteries” — moments from the lives of Jesus and Mary. Each mystery is contemplated while praying ten Hail Marys, framed by an Our Father and a Glory Be. The repetition is not mechanical; it is the steady rhythm that lets the heart slow down enough for the mystery to take root.

The four sets of mysteries

The twenty mysteries are grouped into four sets, traditionally prayed on different days of the week:

• Joyful (Monday, Saturday) — the Annunciation through the finding of Jesus in the Temple.
• Sorrowful (Tuesday, Friday) — the Agony in the Garden through the Crucifixion.
• Glorious (Wednesday, Sunday) — the Resurrection through the Coronation of Mary.
• Luminous (Thursday) — the Baptism of Christ through the Institution of the Eucharist. Added by John Paul II in 2002.

Step by step

1. Make the Sign of the Cross on the crucifix.
2. Pray the Apostles’ Creed.
3. On the first large bead, pray the Our Father.
4. On the next three small beads, pray three Hail Marys — for faith, hope, and charity.
5. Pray a Glory Be.
6. Announce the first mystery and pray the Our Father.
7. On each of the ten small beads, pray a Hail Mary.
8. Pray a Glory Be (and the Fátima prayer, if you wish).
9. Repeat steps 6–8 for each of the five mysteries of the day.
10. Conclude with the Hail Holy Queen and a closing prayer. Many also add the St Michael prayer or Memorare.

Common questions

Do I have to pray it every day?

No. The Rosary is offered, not required. Many begin with a single decade and grow from there.

Is it Marian or Christ-centred?

Both. The Rosary is a Christ-centred prayer prayed in the company of his Mother. We do not pray to Mary as if to a goddess; we pray with her, asking her to lead us to her Son.

Can non-Catholics pray it?

Anyone is welcome. The Rosary is a contemplative prayer that meets you wherever you are.

Open the app to begin — every prayer is here, in seven languages, with no account or sign-in.