Elon Catholic Campus Ministry
How to Pray the Rosary

Every Wednesday Night Catholic, we come together to pray the Rosary. If you are unable to join us, here are the instructions to pray the Rosary by yourself.

The Rosary is divided into five decades. Each decade represents a mystery or event in the life of Jesus. There are four sets of "Mysteries of the Rosary" (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious). These four "Mysteries of the Rosary" therefore contain, a total of twenty mysteries. The mysteries are then said on specific days of the week; ince CCM comes together once a week on Wednesdays, we say a different set of mysteries each week. See each set of mysteries below, along with on what to meditate for each in the parentheses.

Rosary

Instructions

You can also print these instructions here.

1. (holding crucifix) Make the Sign of the Cross and say the "Apostles' Creed."
2. Say the "Our Father."
3. Say the "Hail Mary."
4. Say the "Hail Mary."
5. Say the "Hail Mary."
6 (holding chain). Say the "Glory be to the Father."
7. Announce first rosary mystery, then say the "Our Father."
8. Say ten "Hail Marys" while meditating on the rosary mystery.
9. Say the "Glory be to the Father."
10. Say the "Fatima Prayer."
11. Announce the second rosary mystery, then repeat steps 7-10. Do this for the third, fouth, and fifth mysteries in the same way.
12. After the last "Glory Be" & "Fatima Prayer" following the 5th decade, then say the "Hail, Holy Queen."

The Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries
Monday & Saturday

  • The Annunciation (Humility)
  • The Visitation (Charity)
  • The Birth of Our Lord (Poverty, or detachment from the world)
  • The Presentation of Our Lord (Purity of heart, obedience)
  • The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple (Piety)

The Sorrowful Mysteries
Tuesday & Friday

  • The Agony in the Garden (Contrition for our sins)
  • The Scourging at the Pillar (Mortification of our senses)
  • The Crowning with Thorns (Interior mortification)
  • The Carrying of the Cross (Patience under crosses)
  • The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord (That we may die to ourselves)

The Glorious Mysteries
Wednesday & Sunday

  • The Resurrection (Conversion of heart)
  • The Ascension (A desire for heaven)
  • The Coming of the Holy Spirit (The Gifts of the Holy Spirit)
  • The Assumption of our Blessed Mother into Heaven (Devotion to Mary)
  • The Coronation of our Blessed Mother (Eternal happiness)

The Luminous Mysteries
Thursday

  • The Baptism in the Jordan
  • The Wedding at Cana
  • The Proclamation of the Kingdom
  • The Transfiguration
  • The Institution of the Eucharist

The Prayers of the Rosary

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer (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.

The Doxology (Glory Be to the Father)

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.