The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Rosary is a means of meditating on the mysteries of the Gospels, and thus drawing closer to Christ.

To pray the Rosary:

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
2. Pray the Apostles Creed.
3. Pray the Our Father.
4. Pray three Hail Marys.
5. Pray the Glory Be.
6. Ask for the special intentions of the Rosary being offered.
7. Announce the first mystery, and pray the Our Father.
8. Pray ten Hail Marys.
9. Pray the Glory Be.
10. Pray the Fatima Prayer.
11. Pray the remaining four mysteries, following the same pattern for each decade.
12. Pray a Closing Prayer.
13. End with the Sign of the Cross.

The prayers above are said as follows:

Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (As the prayer is made, use your right hand to trace a cross by touching your forehead, chest, left shoulder, and then right shoulder.)

Apostles Creed
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. Under Pontius Pilate He 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.

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.

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 will be forever. Amen.

Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thine mercy. Amen.

Closing Prayer
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry poor vanished children of Eve. To thee to we send up our cries, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us. And after this, our exile, show us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary. (V) Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. (R) That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten Son, who by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating on these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The four sets of mysteries for the Rosary are as follows:

Joyful Mysteries (prayed on Mondays and Saturdays)
1. The Anunciation-The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she is to become the Mother of God
2. The Visitation-Mary visits Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist
3. The Nativity-Jesus is born in Bethlehem
4. The Presentation in the Temple-Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the temple in accord with the law
5. The Finding in the Temple-Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the temple following the celebration of a feast day

Sorrowful Mysteries (prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays)
1. The Agony in the Garden-Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane before being betrayed by Judas
2. The Scourging at the Pillar-Jesus is scouraged by soldiers at the order of Pontius Pilate
3. The Crowning with Thorns-A crown of thorns is put on Jesus' head in a mockery of his kingship
4. The Carrying of the Cross-Jesus is made to carry his cross of crucifixion to Golgotha
5. The Crucifixion-Jesus is nailed to the cross, and offers his life for all

Glorious Mysteries (prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays)
1. The Resurrection-Jesus is raised from the dead on the third day
2. The Ascension-Jesus ascends into heaven, to be seated at the right hand of God
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit-The Holy Spirit descends on the Apostles and the Virgin Mary
4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary-The body of Mary is assumed into heaven
5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary-Mary is crowned Queen of heaven and earth

Luminous Mysteries (prayed on Thursdays)
1. The Baptism in the river Jordan-Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan
2. The Wedding Feast at Cana-Jesus turns water to wine at a Canaan wedding feast
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God-Jesus preaches the coming kingdom of God, and calls all to conversion
4. The Transfiguration-Jesus is transfigured in a bright light on Mount Tabor
5. The Institution of the Eucharist-Jesus institutes the offering of his body and blood during the Last Supper

For a discussion of the Rosary by Pope John Paul II (an ardent devotee during his life), you can read his Apostolic Letter "Rosarium Virginis Mariae" (Rosary of the Virgin Mary).