The Holy Rosary

The Rosary is a vocal prayer during which one meditates upon the Mysteries of the Life of Christ and His Blessed Mother. The Joyful Mysteries, Sorrowful Mysteries, and Glorious Mysteries make up the Fifteen Decades of the Rosary.

The 54 Day Novena is a beautiful devotion that consists of saying a Rosary for 54 days in a row. A novena means praying 9 days in a row, so the 54 Day Novena is, in essence, 6 novenas: the first 3 novenas over the first 27 days are said in petition – asking Mary for her prayers for a particular intention. The remaining 3 novenas said over the last 27 days are in thanksgiving. Read on the history of the 54 Day Rosary Novena here.

For a PDF download of the 54 Day Rosary Novena, click here.

*Our Lady of the Rosary with Flowers*. Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs, oil on canvas, 2025.

How to Pray the Rosary

Kiss the Cross of your Rosary and make the Sign of the Cross: “In the Name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST.”
Say the 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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, (and) sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
On the first large bead say an 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.
On the first three small beads say three Hail Marys for an increase in FAITH, HOPE and CHARITY: 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.
On the large bead say a Glory Be: Glory be to the FATHER and to the SON and to the HOLY GHOST. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Announce the Mystery, example “The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation”
On the junction bead say an Our Father: Our Father, Who art in heaven…
On the ten small beads say ten Hail Marys: Hail Mary, full of grace…
On the large bead say Glory Be and Fatima Prayer: Glory be to the FATHER….Fatima Prayer: O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy Mercy. Repeat steps 6-9 for the next 4 decades: Our Father … Hail Mary (x10) … Glory Be …O my Jesus …
At the conclusion of the fifth decade say the Hail Holy Queen and Concluding prayer: Hail Holy Queen: Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, 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! V/. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, R/. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen. Concluding Prayer: V/. Let us pray. R/. O God, Whose only begotton Son, by His life, death, and resurrection hath purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries in the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise: through the same Christ our Lord. Amen

ADDITIONAL PRAYERS:

Prayers for the Holy Father’s intentions: Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.

St. Michael the Archangel: Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Memorare: Remember, O gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of Virgins and my Mother; to thee I come, before thee I kneel,
sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.