Why and how we pray the Rosary
Prayer engages our thoughts, imagination, emotions and desires. Prayer deepens our faith, helps convert our hearts and increases our will to follow Christ. And when we pray the Rosary, Mary leads us to Christ her Son, helps us to meditate on the events and mysteries of Christ’s life and places our needs before Him.
Rosary beads provide a physical method to help us keep count as we go though a series of prayers and meditations.
The Rosary can be prayed at any time, alone or in a group. At The Church of the Good Shepherd, we pray the Rosary at 9:30 every Sunday morning in the church library. We’ll even provide Rosary beads if you need them.
To pray the Rosary, we begin by making the Sign of the Cross (“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”). While holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles’ Creed. With your fingers on the first large bead above the Crucifix, pray the Our Father. Then move your fingers to the first small bead and say the Hail Mary; do this two more times, each time moving your fingers to the next small bead. On the last large bead before the medallion, say the Gloria Patri (“Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”).
The Mysteries
Hold the medallion as the first mystery is announced and the Rosary leader reads the lesson and the collect for that mystery. (You announce the first mystery and read the lesson and collect yourself if you are praying alone.) While meditating on the mystery, pray the Our Father. Move your fingers to the first small bead and pray the Hail Mary; do this nine more times, each time moving your fingers to the next small bead; and conclude with the Gloria Patri. Hold the large bead after the first ten small beads as the second mystery is announced, and continue as before.
Find text for the mysteries here:
Conclusion
After the fifth mystery, make the commendation ("Remembering our most pure ... ") and, if desired, pray the Salve Regina or the Memorare. Conclude with the Sign of the Cross.
The Apostles' Creed
Traditional
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker 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 on 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 the life everlasting.
Amen.
Contemporary
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 to the dead. 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 sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Pater Noster
Traditional
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 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.
Contemporary
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us, Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Ave Maria
Traditional
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.
Contemporary
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Gloria Patri
Traditional
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.
Contemporary
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
Commendation
Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.
To Thee, oh Lord, our God.
Amen
Salve Regina
(Hail, holy Queen)
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you to we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of your 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.
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen