How to recite the rosary

While the complete rosary is composed of 15 decades, it is acceptable to recite five decades centered around either the Joyful, Light, Sorrowful, or Glorious Mysteries on a given day.

Beginning Prayers

1. Sign of the Cross
2. The Apostle’s Creed (said on the large Crucifix)
3. The Our Father (first large bead after the Crucifix)
4. Three Hail Mary’s (said on the next three beads)
5. Glory Be to the Father (said on the next large bead )

Praying Each Decade

1. Begin by naming a mystery of the rosary and begin mediating on that mystery throughout the remainder of the decade.
2. Recite the Our Father on a large bead.
3. Recite one Hail Mary on each of the next 10 small beads.
4. Recite the Glory Be to the Father and the ‘O My Jesus’ Prayer from Fatima on the next large bead.
5. Begin the next decade by naming the next mystery, and reciting the Our Father on the same large bead. (continue steps two thru five until at least 5 decades have been recited).

Closing Prayers

1. Recite the Hail Holy Queen Prayer.
2. Close with the Prayer After the Rosary.