Rosaries & Chaplets

"The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life."
— Pope Leo XIII

Today's Recommended Mysteries

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How to Pray the Holy Rosary

The Rosary is a Gospel prayer centred on the life of Christ through the eyes of Mary. Pray each step slowly, meditating on the mysteries as you move through the beads.

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Sign of the Cross

Begin on the crucifix.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
1
The Apostles' Creed

Recite while holding the crucifix.

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.
2
Our Father

On the first large bead.

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.
3
Three Hail Marys

On the three small beads — for faith, hope, and charity.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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.
4
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.
5
Each Decade (×5)

Repeat for all five decades. Announce the mystery, pray the Our Father on the large bead, then ten Hail Marys on the small beads, meditating on the mystery.

After each decade, add the Fatima Prayer: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy."
✿
Hail, Holy Queen

Conclude with this ancient Marian hymn.

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 vale 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.

The Rosary is divided into four sets of mysteries, each illuminating a different aspect of the life of Christ and Mary. Meditate on one mystery per decade.

🌸

Joyful Mysteries

Monday & Saturday

The incarnation and childhood of Jesus.

  • I The Annunciation — Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive Jesus.
  • II The Visitation — Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth.
  • III The Nativity — Jesus is born in Bethlehem.
  • IV The Presentation — Jesus is presented in the Temple.
  • V The Finding in the Temple — The young Jesus is found discussing God's laws.
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Luminous Mysteries

Thursday

Jesus's public ministry — introduced by St. John Paul II in 2002.

  • I The Baptism in the Jordan — Jesus is baptized by John.
  • II The Wedding at Cana — Jesus performs His first miracle.
  • III The Proclamation of the Kingdom — Jesus calls for repentance.
  • IV The Transfiguration — Jesus is transfigured on the mountain.
  • V The Institution of the Eucharist — Jesus offers His Body and Blood.
🌹

Sorrowful Mysteries

Tuesday & Friday

The passion and death of Jesus.

  • I The Agony in the Garden — Jesus prays in Gethsemane.
  • II The Scourging at the Pillar — Jesus is whipped.
  • III The Crowning with Thorns — Jesus is mocked.
  • IV The Carrying of the Cross — Jesus carries His cross to Calvary.
  • V The Crucifixion — Jesus dies on the cross.
👑

Glorious Mysteries

Wednesday & Sunday

The resurrection and glory of Jesus and Mary.

  • I The Resurrection — Jesus rises from the dead.
  • II The Ascension — Jesus ascends into heaven.
  • III The Descent of the Holy Spirit — Pentecost.
  • IV The Assumption — Mary is taken body and soul into heaven.
  • V The Coronation — Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Divine Mercy Chaplet

Given to St. Faustina Kowalska, this prayer implores God's mercy for the world, traditionally prayed at 3:00 PM — the Hour of Mercy.

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Opening — Sign of the Cross & Optional Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Optional) You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. (Repeat three times) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!
1
Our Father, Hail Mary, Apostles' Creed

Pray these three prayers to open the chaplet.

Our Father... Hail Mary... I believe in God...
2
On Each Large Bead — The Eternal Father
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
3
On Each Small Bead (×10 per decade)
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
✿
Conclude — Holy God (×3)
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Rosary of the Seven Sorrows

Meditate on seven distinct sorrows of Our Lady. For each sorrow, pray one Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

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Opening — Sign of the Cross & Act of Contrition
Begin with the Sign of the Cross and an Act of Contrition, expressing sorrow for sins and a resolution to amend your life. Offer the rosary to God to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and ask for the grace of repentance and wisdom.
I
The Prophecy of Simeon

Luke 2:34-35 — Mary accepts the suffering of her Son.

Pray: 1 Our Father + 7 Hail Marys After: "Holy Mother, hear my prayers, and renew in my heart each wound of Jesus my Savior."
II
The Flight into Egypt

Matthew 2:13-21 — Mary flees to protect Jesus.

Pray: 1 Our Father + 7 Hail Marys After: "Holy Mother, hear my prayers, and renew in my heart each wound of Jesus my Savior."
III
The Loss of Jesus in the Temple

Luke 2:41-51 — Mary searches for Jesus.

Pray: 1 Our Father + 7 Hail Marys
IV
Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary

Luke 23:27-31 — Mary shares in the suffering.

Pray: 1 Our Father + 7 Hail Marys
V
Jesus Dies on the Cross

John 19:25-27 — Mary stands at the foot of the Cross.

Pray: 1 Our Father + 7 Hail Marys
VI
Mary Receives the Body of Jesus

John 19:38 — Jesus is taken down from the Cross.

Pray: 1 Our Father + 7 Hail Marys
VII
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

John 19:39-42 — Mary witnesses the burial.

Pray: 1 Our Father + 7 Hail Marys
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Closing — Three Hail Marys & Final Prayer
Pray three Hail Marys to honor the tears of our Sorrowful Mother. "Pray for us, O Most Sorrowful Virgin, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen." Sign of the Cross.

Chaplets

Chaplet of the Holy Face

In reparation for blasphemy

  • 1On the crucifix: "O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me," then Glory Be.
  • 2On each large bead: "My Jesus, mercy!" followed by a Glory Be.
  • 3On each small bead: "Arise, O Lord, and let Thy enemies be scattered, and let all that hate Thee flee from before Thy Face."
  • 4On the Holy Face medal: "God, our Protector, look on us, and cast Thine eyes upon the Face of Thy Christ. Amen."
  • +Optional: Repeat the Glory Be seven times in honour of the Seven Last Words.

Chaplet for Holy Souls

For the souls in Purgatory

  • 1Opening: Sign of Cross, Apostles' Creed, Our Father, three Hail Marys, Glory Be.
  • 2Large beads: "O Holy Souls, draw the fire of God's love into my soul, to reveal Jesus Crucified in me here on earth, rather than hereafter in Purgatory."
  • 3Small beads (×10): "Crucified Lord Jesus, have mercy on the souls in Purgatory."
  • 4Closing: Glory Be three times, then Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great.

Chaplet of the Holy Infancy

Honouring the Infant Jesus of Prague

  • 1On the medal: "Divine Infant Jesus, I adore Thy Cross…"
  • 2First 3 beads: "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us" + Our Father.
  • 3Next 12 beads: Same verse + Hail Mary, meditating on a mystery of Christ's infancy.
  • 4Closing: "Holy Infant Jesus, bless and protect us."

Chaplet of the Five Wounds

Remedy through the Holy Wounds

  • 1Crucifix: "O Jesus, Divine Redeemer, be merciful to us and to the whole world. Amen."
  • 2Large beads: "Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ to heal the wounds of our souls."
  • 3Small beads (×10): "My Jesus, pardon and mercy, through the merits of Thy Holy Wounds."
  • 4Each decade focuses on one of the Five Wounds.
  • 5Closing: Repeat the offering prayer three times.

Chaplet of St. Michael

The Rosary of the Angels

  • 1On the medal: "O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me." + Glory Be.
  • 2Nine salutations — one for each Choir of Angels (Seraphim to Angels): 1 Our Father + 3 Hail Marys each.
  • 3Four concluding Our Fathers: for St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and your Guardian Angel.
  • 4Conclude with the Anthem "O glorious prince St. Michael…" and the final prayer for protection.

Chaplet of Faith

For consecrated souls & priests

  • 1Opening: Sign of the Cross + "My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You…"
  • 2Large beads (instead of Our Father): Recite the Apostles' Creed.
  • 3Small beads (×10): "Jesus, Mary, I love You, save souls, save the consecrated."
  • 4Closing: Hail Holy Queen — five times.

Weekly Mystery Schedule

Follow the Church's tradition of meditating on different mysteries each day of the week. The row highlighted in gold reflects today's day.

Day Mysteries Focus
Monday 🌸 Joyful The incarnation and childhood of Jesus
Tuesday 🌹 Sorrowful The passion and death of Jesus
Wednesday 👑 Glorious The resurrection and glory of Jesus and Mary
Thursday ✨ Luminous The public ministry of Jesus
Friday 🌹 Sorrowful The passion and death of Jesus
Saturday 🌸 Joyful The incarnation and childhood of Jesus
Sunday 👑 Glorious The resurrection and glory of Jesus and Mary

During Lent it is common to focus more on the Sorrowful Mysteries; during Advent, on the Joyful Mysteries.