THE PRAYERS OF THE ROSARY
The complete Rosary is a form of prayer in honor of Our Lady, consisting of fifteen decades, each composed of one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and one Gloria. Our Lady of Fatima said ".. . say five decades of the Rosary every day..." A third of the Rosary, or a chaplet of five decades, is our usual understanding of the term Rosary.
It is customary to begin the Rosary with the following introductory prayers:
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; the third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated 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.
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
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
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The Rosary proper is the five decades — each decade consisting of one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and one Gloria. While reciting the prayers of each decade, you think about some truth (mystery) of the redemption, as it applies to you. Before beginning each decade then, you recall or name the proper mystery for meditation.
The mysteries are divided into four groups: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous. There are five of each as follows:
Joyful
(Mondays and Saturdays)
1st -- The Annunciation
2nd -- The Visitation
3rd -- The Nativity
4th -- The Presentation
5th -- The Finding in the Temple
Sorrowful
(Tuesdays and Fridays)
1st -- The Agony in the Garden
2nd -- The Scourging at the Pillar
3rd -- The Crowning with Thorns
4th -- The Carrying of the Cross
5th -- The Crucifixion
Glorious
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1st -- The Resurrection
2nd -- The Ascension
3rd -- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
4th -- The Assumption of Mary
5th -- The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven
Luminous
(Thursdays)
1st -- Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
2nd -- Manifestation of Jesus at the Wedding at Cana
3rd -- Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
4th -- Transfiguration of Jesus
5th -- Institution of the Eucharist
