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Start simply

One bead at a time.

You do not need to know all the words. You do not even need a set of beads. Begin with a willing moment, and follow along.

Try the guided RosaryPrintable quick-reference guide
A five-decade Rosary: prayer orderStart at the crucifix with the Sign of the Cross and Creed. Move up to a large bead for the Our Father, three small beads for three Hail Marys, and the next large bead for the first decade. The loop contains fifty small beads and four more large beads, grouped into five decades. Full instructions follow the diagram.Five decades10 Hail Marys each1 · Cross & Creed2 · Our Father3 · Three Hail Marys4 · Glory Be; first decade5 · Continue around the loop; then closing prayers
Schematic prayer guide · Beads help you keep your place.

First, a few familiar words

A decade is a group of ten Hail Marys, with an Our Father before and a Glory Be after. A mystery is an event or truth of faith that you contemplate as you pray. An intention is a person or need you entrust to God.

The usual five-decade Rosary contains five mysteries. The repeated prayers provide a steady rhythm while you attend to Christ’s life with Mary.

Without beads, count ten prayers on your fingers, use ten small marks on paper, or follow the guide’s counter. If you lose your place, simply continue from the nearest point you remember.

  1. Begin at the cross

    Make the Sign of the Cross and say the Apostles’ Creed. You may quietly name an intention first.

  2. Pray the opening beads

    On the first large bead, pray an Our Father. On the next three small beads, pray three Hail Marys, customarily for faith, hope, and charity. Then pray the Glory Be.

  3. Enter the first mystery

    Announce the first mystery of your chosen set. Read a little Scripture and pause. On the next large bead, pray the Our Father.

  4. Pray a decade

    Pray ten Hail Marys on the ten small beads, reflecting on the mystery. Finish with the Glory Be. You may add the Fatima Prayer; it is optional.

  5. Continue through five mysteries

    At each new decade, announce the next mystery, pray an Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Go at your own pace; you can pause and return.

  6. Close with trust

    After the fifth decade, pray the Hail, Holy Queen and the Rosary Closing Prayer, then make the Sign of the Cross. Local customs may include other prayers.