Specific directions for praying the rosary.

Traditionally, the different sets of mysteries are prayed on different days of the week, but you may pray any or all sets on any day.

The pattern is:
Joyful-- Monday, Saturdays (and Sundays in Advent)
Sorrowful--Tuesday, Friday (and Sundays of Lent)
Luminous--Thursday
Glorious--Wednesday and Sundays in Ordinary time.

A good graphic for what to pray on each bead is found at Our Lady's Rosary Makers and is reproduced here:

The numbers on the picture correspond to the following instructions:

1) Hold the crucifix in your hand, make the sign of the cross and recite the Apostles Creed


2) On the first bead pray one Our Father

3) On the next three beads pray a Hail Mary on each bead, then one Glory Be.

4) Begin the first decade on the next separate bead. Announce the first mystery and reflect on this moment in the life of Jesus and pray one Our Father.


5) For each of the next 10 beads continue your reflection on the first mystery and pray one Hail Mary on each bead. After the final Hail Mary finish the decade by praying one Glory Be.

6) Begin the second decade on the next separate bead. Announce the second mystery and reflect on this moment in the life of Jesus and pray one Our Father.

7) For each of the next 10 beads continue your reflection on the second mystery and pray one Hail Mary on each bead. After the final Hail Mary finish the decade by praying one Glory Be.


8) Begin the third decade on the next separate bead. Announce the third mystery and reflect on this moment in the life of Jesus and pray one Our Father.

9) For each of the next 10 beads continue your reflection on the third mystery and pray one Hail Mary on each bead. After the final Hail Mary finish the decade by praying one Glory Be.

10) Begin the fourth decade on the next separate bead. Announce the fourth mystery and reflect on this moment in the life of Jesus and pray one Our Father.

11) For each of the next 10 beads continue your reflection on the fourth mystery and pray one Hail Mary on each bead. After the final Hail Mary finish the decade by praying one Glory Be.

12) Begin the fifth decade on the next separate bead. Announce the fifth mystery and reflect on this moment in the life of Jesus and pray one Our Father.

13) For each of the next 10 beads continue your reflection on the fifth mystery and pray one Hail Mary on each bead. After the final Hail Mary finish the decade by praying one Glory Be.

14) At the centerpiece recite the Hail, Holy Queen and the Closing Prayer.

Here it is tradition to pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be for the Pope and his intentions.

Make the sign of the cross to finish.

Remember that the prayers are listed in this post and the mysteries are found in the October and November 2009 archives.