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The five decade rosary is divided into two parts, the drop and the loop.
The drop and the loop are joined by the center medal.
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The drop consists of a cross or crucifix, a Pater above it, three Aves following, and a last Pater before the center medal.
The loop consists of five sets of ten Hail Mary (Ave) beads, separated by four Our Father (Pater Noster) beads. In a chained rosary, the Paters are offset from the Aves by chain or jewelry connectors, and may differ from the Aves in color, size, decoration or material.
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Following are instructions on how to move the fingers along the beads,
and the names of the prayers said on each.
To find the prayers written in full,
please go the Rosary Prayers page.
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The basic prayers of the rosary are said in contemplation of the "mysteries."
The mysteries are spiritual lessons or virtues which may be derived from the life of Jesus and the experiences of Mary as they are written in the Gospels. For example, we open ourselves to be blessed by the grace of humility by contemplating in prayer Jesus' humilation when the crown of thorns was placed upon his head, and he was mocked.
There are twenty mysteries in total. These twenty are grouped into four sets, or main groups of five mysteries each. One group of five is prayed on a specific day of the week. This is why a rosary is constructed with five decades.
The four main groups of mysteries are named: The Joyful Mysteries, The Luminous Mysteries, The Sorrowful and The Glorious Mysteries.
From the example just mentioned, the Crowning With Thorns is one of the Sorrowful Mysteries. As we pray the ten Hail Mary's of this decade, we contemplate the event of the crowning with thorns, Jesus' acceptance of painful humiliation to do as His Father bids, and in so doing, redeem the deadly sin of pride for us. What we reap from praying about this is learning where, in our own lives, we place pride before God's will.
Praying the rosary is much much more than repeating Our Fathers and Hail Mary's. As Pope John Paul II encouraged, it is our best means to see the face of Christ.
For more about contemplative rosary prayer, please visit the "Mysteries Explored" page, where you will also find a calendar describing the days of the week and the corresponding Mystery group for each day (coming soon).
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While holding the crucifix in the hand,
make the sign of the cross.
Still holding the crucifix,
say the Apostle's Creed.
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On the first bead above the crucifix,
which is a Pater Noster bead set off by chain on
either side,
say one Our Father.
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The next three beads fall in a group.
These are the Aves for
Faith, Hope and Charity.
One Hail Mary is said on each.
On the first, pray the Hail Mary
for the grace of Faith,
on the second, for the grace of Hope,
and on the third, for the grace of Charity,
for yourself and others.
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You then come to a small bit of chain before
the last Our Father bead of the drop.
On this bit of chain, say
one Glory Be
and one Fatima Prayer.
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The last bead of the drop is a Pater bead.
Here you will call to mind, or announce,
the first spiritual virtue of the mystery that
you are saying that day.
Do this, and say one Our Father.
You may also pray here for the intentions of the Pope,
and for peace in world, or pause on the center
medal for those and other special intentions.
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On the loop are the five sets of ten Hail Mary beads. Each is called a decade.
The decades are separated by Our Father beads.
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Above and to the right of the center medal
is the first decade.
Say one Hail Mary on each
of these ten beads.
As you become experienced with the
mechanics of praying the rosary,
this repetition of the Ave Maria will
relax you, and allow you to focus
on the spiritual virtue which you
announced for this decade.
Please refer to the Mysteries Explored page
for more about the graces of the mysteries,
and contemplative rosary prayer.
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At the end of the first decade,
pray one Glory Be and
one Fatima Prayer
on the chain before the next
Our Father bead.
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You are now ready to begin the second decade.
Move your fingers to the next Our Father bead. Call to mind (and keep in mind) the second spiritual virtue of the mystery you are praying for that decade.
Say one Our Father.
Follow on the next ten beads with ten Hail Mary's.
On the chain, one Glory Be and one Fatima prayer.
And so you will follow this pattern all the way around the loop, until you return again to the center medal.
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You may finish your rosary with the last Glory Be and Fatima prayer
on the chain before the centerpiece,
or you may choose an optional close on the center medal with
the Memorare or with Hail Holy Queen.
You may also close in a way in which you are moved
personally, such as a remembrance of loved ones passed,
for graces to benefit the lives of those you love, or in an expression
of gratitude to our Blessed Mother and her Son.
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Let us entrust ourselves and abandon ourselves to your keeping, Lord of time and eternity. You are our hope: the hope of Rome and of the world: the pillar of the weak and the comfort of the bewildered, the joy and peace of those who welcome and love you.
~ Pope John Paul II ~
Te Deum and First Vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
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