Complete Guide to Praying the Rosary: All 20 Mysteries Explained

The Rosary is one of the most beloved prayers in Catholic tradition. Pope John Paul II called it "a compendium of the Gospel." When prayed well, it is not a mindless repetition but a deep meditation on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ alongside His mother Mary.

This guide covers everything: how to hold the rosary, all the prayers, all 20 mysteries, and which mysteries to pray on which days.

What Is the Rosary?

The Prayers of the Rosary

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 (optional, after each decade) *"O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of Thy mercy."*

The Four Sets of Mysteries

Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday) 1. **The Annunciation** — The Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive the Son of God 2. **The Visitation** — Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist 3. **The Nativity** — Jesus is born in Bethlehem 4. **The Presentation** — Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus at the Temple 5. **The Finding in the Temple** — The 12-year-old Jesus is found teaching in the Temple

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday) 1. **The Agony in the Garden** — Jesus prays in Gethsemane before His arrest 2. **The Scourging at the Pillar** — Jesus is brutally whipped 3. **The Crowning with Thorns** — Soldiers mock Jesus as King 4. **The Carrying of the Cross** — Jesus carries the Cross to Calvary 5. **The Crucifixion** — Jesus dies on the Cross for our sins

Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday) 1. **The Resurrection** — Jesus rises from the dead on the third day 2. **The Ascension** — Jesus ascends to the Father forty days after the Resurrection 3. **The Descent of the Holy Spirit** — The Holy Spirit comes upon the Apostles at Pentecost 4. **The Assumption** — Mary is assumed body and soul into heaven 5. **The Coronation of Mary** — Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth

Luminous Mysteries (Thursday) — Added by Pope John Paul II in 2002 1. **The Baptism of Jesus** — Jesus is baptized in the Jordan; the Father declares Him His beloved Son 2. **The Wedding at Cana** — Jesus performs His first miracle at Mary's request 3. **The Proclamation of the Kingdom** — Jesus calls all to repentance and proclaims the Kingdom of God 4. **The Transfiguration** — Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John on Mount Tabor 5. **The Institution of the Eucharist** — Jesus gives us His Body and Blood at the Last Supper

How to Pray the Rosary: Step by Step

The Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina) *"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."*

Praying the Rosary for Others

The Rosary is one of the most powerful intercessory prayers in the Catholic tradition. Many saints and spiritual directors recommend offering your rosary for a specific intention — a sick loved one, peace in a family, or the soul of someone who has died.

Light a candle on CandleFaith alongside your Rosary as a visual offering of that intention.