The remembrance of Mary should not be absent in the life of the Christian; she is the mother of Jesus and our mother. Praying the rosary means continuing within us the meditation made by Mary, as the Gospel reminds us, on the events of Jesus’ life and her own. At the same time, she is greeted and invoked.

Strive to contemplate with love, serenity, and reflection the main salvific events of Christ’s life, from the virginal conception to the culminating moments of his passion, death, and resurrection, viewing them through the heart of the one who was closest to Him.

Seek to combine, in the recitation of the rosary, the contemplation of the mysteries with a filial attitude, praise in

the passing of the Hail Marys, adoration in the Glorias, admiration and petition in the Litanies, so that all of it exudes confidence and love for Mary.

I. The rosary in private

Initial Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

My Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man. My Creator and Redeemer, because of who You are, and because I love You above all things, I am truly sorry for having offended You with all my heart. I want and firmly intend to confess my sins in due time. I offer my life, works, and efforts in satisfaction for my sins. I trust in Your infinite goodness and mercy that You will forgive me and grant me the grace not to offend You again. Amen.

A personal intention is formulated.

Mysteries of Joy (Monday and Saturday)

1. The Incarnation of the Son of God.
2. The Visitation of our Lady to Saint Elizabeth.
3. The Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. The Presentation of the Lord in the temple.
5. The Lost Child

and found in the temple.

Mysteries of Sorrow (Tuesday and Friday)

1. Jesus’ prayer in the garden.
2. The scourging of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. The crowning with thorns.
4. Jesus carrying the cross.
5. Jesus is crucified.

Mysteries of Glory (Wednesday and Sunday)

1. The glorious resurrection of the Lord.
2. The admirable ascension of the Lord into heaven.
3. The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.
4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into heaven.
5. The crowning of our Lady, Mother of the Church.

Mysteries of Light (Thursday)

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.
2. The self-revelation of Jesus at the wedding at Cana.
3. The announcement of the Kingdom of God inviting to conversion.
4. The Transfiguration of the Lord.
5. The institution of the Eucharist.

In each mystery, pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and one Glory.

After the fifth mystery, add the Salve Regina

Salve Regina

Hail, Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, sweetness, and hope. Hail, Queen, and our Mother. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this exile, show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

Next, recite the Litanies:

Lauretanic Litanies to the Most Holy Virgin Mary

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God.
Holy Virgin of virgins.
Mother of Christ.
Mother of the Church.
Mother of divine grace.
Immaculate Mother.
Most chaste Mother.
Virgin most pure.
Mother most innocent.
Mother most amiable.
Mother most admirable.
Mother of good counsel.
Mother of the Creator.
Mother of the Savior.
Virgin most prudent.
Virgin most venerable.
Virgin most praised.
Virgin most powerful.
Virgin most merciful.
Virgin most faithful.
Mirror of justice.
Seat of wisdom.
Cause of our joy.
Spiritual vessel.
Vessel worthy of honor.
Vessel of singular devotion.
Mystical Rose.
Tower of David.
Tower of ivory.
House of gold.
Ark of the Covenant.
Gate of heaven.
Morning star.
Health of the sick.
Refuge of sinners.
Comfort of the afflicted.
Help of Christians.
Queen of angels.
Queen of patriarchs.
Queen of prophets.
Queen of apostles.
Queen of martyrs.
Queen of confessors.
Queen of virgins.
Queen of all saints.
Queen conceived without original sin.
Queen exalted into heaven.
Queen of the Holy Rosary.
Queen of the family.
Queen of peace.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,
spare us, Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,
graciously hear us, Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.

Pray for us, holy Mother of God,
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

We beseech You, Lord, that we, Your servants, may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and, through the glorious intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, be delivered from present sadness and rejoice forever in eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

II. Family Rosary

When praying the rosary as a family, it is initiated by the guide who announces each of the mysteries and the general intention; five of the participants may present the intentions for which the family wishes to offer each of the mysteries.

Guide: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

My Lord Jesus Christ,

Participants:

True God and true man. My Creator and Redeemer, because of who You are, and because I love You above all things, I am truly sorry for having offended You with all my heart. I want and firmly intend to confess my sins in due time. I offer my life, works, and efforts in satisfaction for my sins. I trust in Your infinite goodness and mercy that You will forgive me and grant me the grace not to offend You again. Amen.

Guide: We will offer the rosary for…

After each biblical passage, one of the participants may say the particular intention.

Mysteries of Joy (Monday and Saturday)

Guide: The mysteries of the rosary that we will contemplate today are the joyful.

Guide: First mystery: The Incarnation of the Son of God.
Reader: “Then Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38).

Guide: Second mystery: The visitation of our Lady to Saint Elizabeth.
Reader: “And Mary, entering into the house of Zechariah, greeted Elizabeth” (Lk 1:40).

Guide: Third mystery: The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reader: “And Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger” (Lk 2:7).

Guide: Fourth mystery: The presentation of the Lord in the temple.
Reader: “Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord” (Lk 2:22).

Guide: Fifth mystery: The lost and found Child in the temple.
Reader: “After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers” (Lk 2:46).

Guide: Salve Regina, lauretanic litanies to the Most Holy Virgin Mary.

 

* * * * *

Mysteries of Sorrow (Tuesday and Friday)
Guide: The mysteries of the rosary that we will contemplate today are the sorrowful.

Guide: First mystery: Jesus’ prayer in the garden.
Reader: “And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly” (Lk 22:44).

Guide: Second mystery: The scourging of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reader: “Then Pilate took Jesus and ordered him to be scourged” (Jn 19:1).
Third mystery: The crowning with thorns.
Reader: “The soldiers plaited a crown of thorns and put it on his head” (Jn 19:2).

Guide: Fourth mystery: Jesus carrying the cross.
Reader: “And Jesus, carrying his cross, went out to the place called Calvary” (Jn 19:17).

Guide: Fifth mystery: Jesus is crucified.
Reader: “They crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side, and Jesus in the middle” (Jn 19:18).

Guide: Salve Regina, lauretanic litanies to the Most Holy Virgin Mary.

 

* * * * *

Mysteries of Glory (Wednesday and Sunday)

Guide: The mysteries of the rosary that we will contemplate today are the glorious.

Guide: First mystery: The glorious resurrection of the Lord.
Reader: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen” (Lk 24:5-6).

Guide: Second mystery: The admirable ascension of the Lord into heaven.
Reader: “While blessing them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven” (Lk 24:51).

Guide: Third mystery: The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.
Reader: “And appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and rested on each of them; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:3-4).

Guide: Fourth mystery: The assumption of the Blessed Virgin into heaven.
Reader: “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord!” (Lk 1:45).

Guide: Fifth mystery: The crowning of our Lady, Mother of the Church.
Reader: “A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Rev 12:1).

 

* * * * *

Mysteries of the Light (Thursday)

Guide: The mysteries of the rosary that we will contemplate today are the luminous.

Guide: First mystery: The Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan.
Reader: “And a voice came from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17).

Guide: Second mystery: The self-revelation of Jesus at the wedding at Cana.
Reader: “Now Jesus began his signs in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him” (Jn 2:11).

Guide: Third mystery: The announcement of the Kingdom of God and the call to conversion.
Reader: “Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15).

Guide: Fourth mystery: The Transfiguration of the Lord.
Reader: “While he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white” (Lk 9:29; Mt 17:2).

Guide: Fifth mystery: The institution of the Eucharist.
Reader: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever” (Jn 6:51).

Guide: Salve Regina, lauretanic litanies to the Most Holy Virgin Mary.