Crafted for Prayer

Simply begin

If you're holding one of my handcrafted rosaries or have simply found your way here because you'd like to learn how to pray the rosary, welcome!

The rosary is a scripture-based, Christ-centred prayer. Through its familiar prayers and mysteries, we contemplate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus with Mary. You do not need to know every prayer, memorize every mystery, or worry about praying perfectly. This guide will walk with you, one bead at a time.

The Rosary at a glance

LARGE BEAD · Our Father
10 SMALL BEADS · 10 Hail Marys
END OF EACH DECADE · Glory Be

A five-decade rosary uses one set of five mysteries. You may pray it alone or with others, and you may offer a personal intention before beginning the whole rosary, or each decade can have a special intention.

You may also pray a single decade on its own, especially when time is limited. Every moment set aside for prayer is meaningful.

Bead by bead

At the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles' Creed.
On the first large bead, pray one Our Father.
On the next three small beads, pray three Hail Marys, traditionally for faith, hope, and charity.
Pray the Glory Be.
Announce the first mystery. A brief Scripture reading and quiet pause may follow. Pray one Our Father on the large bead.
Pray ten Hail Marys while contemplating the mystery.
Pray the Glory Be. The Fatima Prayer may be added.
Repeat for the remaining four mysteries.
After five decades, pray the Hail, Holy Queen and a customary concluding prayer.
Conclude with the Sign of the Cross.

Match each number to the steps above.

The Mysteries of the Rosary

The days below are a customary guide, not a restriction. Choose one set of five mysteries and let each scene from the life of Jesus and Mary shape your prayer.

Joyful Mysteries: Monday and Saturday

The Annunciation - Luke 1:26–38
The Visitation - Luke 1:39–56
The Nativity - Luke 2:1–20
The Presentation in the Temple - Luke 2:22–38
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple - Luke 2:41–52

Luminous Mysteries: Thursday

The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan — Matthew 3:13–17
The Wedding Feast at Cana — John 2:1–12
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God — Mark 1:14–15
The Transfiguration — Matthew 17:1–8
The Institution of the Eucharist — Matthew 26:26–29

Sorrowful Mysteries: Tuesday and Friday

The Agony in the Garden — Matthew 26:36–46
The Scourging at the Pillar — Matthew 27:26
The Crowning with Thorns — Matthew 27:27–31
The Carrying of the Cross — Luke 23:26–32
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus — Luke 23:33–46

Glorious Mysteries: Wednesday and Sunday

The Resurrection — Luke 24:1–12
The Ascension — Acts 1:6–11
The Descent of the Holy Spirit — Acts 2:1–4
The Assumption of Mary — meditation: Luke 1:48–49
The Coronation of Mary — meditation: Revelation 12:1

The Prayers:

Sign of the Cross and Apostles' Creed

SIGN OF THE CROSS
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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 and Fatima Prayer

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)
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. Amen.

Hail, Holy Queen and Concluding Rosary Prayer

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.

ROSARY PRAYER (OPTIONAL)
Let us pray,
O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

READY TO BEGIN?
Choose a quiet place, offer your intention, and begin with the Sign of the Cross. Prayer grows through faithfulness, one prayer, one decade, one bead at a time.

Closing customs vary. The Fatima Prayer and the Rosary Prayer are optional, and many Catholics conclude with the Hail, Holy Queen and a customary closing prayer. When praying the rosary as a group, e.g. in a Catholic church before Mass, additional intentions and prayers may be added at the discretion of the parish or leader.

Additionally, audio guides are available to help lead you to pray the rosary on most major music streaming apps and Catholic audio prayer apps.

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