The Rosary is the setting for a series of prayers that has been a comfort and strength to Christians for centuries. It is one of the most sacred and popular prayers within Roman Catholicism, where it took shape over centuries, to much like its current form by the 15th Century. Many Anglicans, some Lutherans, and various protestants, also recite the Rosary. The Rosary is a devotion and series of meditations through Mary to God.

The Rosary is prayed with a set of beads as an aid to devotion. However, the prayers can be recited without a Rosary.

In addition to reciting the five decades of the Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory be, the person praying meditates on the saving mysteries of our Lord's life and his Blessed Mother. The mysteries include the Glorious mystery, the Sorrowful mystery, the Joyful mystery and the Luminous mystery. The Rosary beads are used to keep track of the prayers being recited.

Praying the Rosary: Follow the directions that follow. if you are not familiar with the Rosary, don't worry if you make a mistake or miss a step. Sincerity of intention is more important than reciting everything perfectly. If you say the Rosary often, you may soon be able to recite it by heart. If you would like more spiritual guidance or instruction on the Rosary, contact one of the clergy at St. James', and they will be pleased to help.

1.   Make the sign of the cross and recite the Apostle's 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; 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 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

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.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
forever and ever.
AMEN.

3.   Three Hail Marys

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.

4.   Say the Glory be to the Father.

5.   Depending on the day, see step 11, announce the First Mystery then say Our Father.

6.   Say 10 Hail Marys while meditating on the mystery.

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.

7.   Say the Gloria:

AMEN.

 

8.   Announce the Second Mystery; then say the Our Father. Repeat steps 6 and 7 and continue with Third, Fourth and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner.

9.   After you say the Rosary, recite the Hail Holy Queen

 

Hail, holy Mary, Mother of Mercy;
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, banished children of Eve;
to thee do we send up our sighs,
Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards 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, 0 holy Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
V. May the Divine assistance always remain with us.
R. And may the souls of all of the faithfully departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

10.   After each decade say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima: "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 your mercy."
11.   The Joyful mysteries are said on Monday and Saturday, the Luminous on Thursday.
12.   The Sorrowful on Tuesday and Friday, and the Glorious on Wednesday and Sunday (with this exception: Sundays of Christmas season - The Joyful; Sundays of Lent - Sorrowful)