Learning the prayers of the Rosary can feel confusing when you are praying it for the first time. There are several prayers, beads, decades, and mysteries, but the basic order is simple once you understand how each part fits together. The Rosary follows a traditional sequence that guides you from the opening prayers through five decades and ends with a closing prayer.
The prayers of the Rosary are more than words repeated from one bead to another. They help Catholics meditate on important events in the lives of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. As you move through each decade, the prayers provide a rhythm for reflection, worship, and quiet meditation.
What Are the Prayers of the Rosary?
The prayers of the Rosary are a collection of traditional Catholic prayers prayed while using a string of Rosary beads. The main prayers include the Sign of the Cross, Apostles’ Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Fatima Prayer, and Hail Holy Queen.
The Rosary is normally divided into five decades. Each decade contains one Our Father followed by ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be. A particular mystery is announced before each decade, giving the person praying a subject to meditate on during the prayers.
The prayers of the Rosary are therefore connected with both vocal prayer and meditation. You say the prayers while reflecting on the mystery associated with each decade.
What Is the Exact Order of the Prayers of the Rosary?
The exact order can be easier to remember when you follow the beads from the crucifix toward the five decades. Here is the complete sequence:
- Make the Sign of the Cross.
- Pray the Apostles’ Creed on the crucifix.
- Pray the Our Father on the first large bead.
- Pray three Hail Marys on the three small beads.
- Pray the Glory Be.
- Announce the First Mystery and pray to Our Father.
- Pray ten Hail Marys while meditating on the First Mystery.
- Pray the Glory Be, followed by the Fatima Prayer, if included in your Rosary practice.
- Repeat the same pattern for the remaining four mysteries.
- After the fifth decade, pray the Hail Holy Queen and the concluding Rosary prayer.
- Finish with the Sign of the Cross.
This sequence gives you a straightforward path through the entire Rosary. Once you learn this order, you can usually follow the beads without needing to stop and think about which prayer comes next.
Step 1 Make the Sign of the Cross
The Rosary begins with the Sign of the Cross.
The traditional words are:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
This opening gesture begins the prayer in the name of the Holy Trinity. It marks the beginning of the Rosary and prepares the person praying for meditation and worship.
After making the Sign of the Cross, move to the crucifix and begin the Apostles’ Creed.
Step 2 Pray the Apostles’ Creed
The Apostles’ Creed is prayed while holding the crucifix.
It is a statement of Christian faith that summarizes important beliefs about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, forgiveness, resurrection, and eternal life.
The prayer begins:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth…
The Apostles’ Creed establishes the faith behind the prayer that follows. After completing it, move to the first large bead.
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Step 3 Pray the Our Father
On the first large bead, pray to Our Father.
The prayer begins:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…
Our Father is also known as the Lord’s Prayer. It comes directly from the teachings of Jesus and is one of the central prayers of the Rosary.
The first Our Father is prayed before the three opening Hail Marys. Later, another Our Father begins each of the five decades.
Step 4 Pray Three Hail Marys
After the Our Father, move through the three small beads and pray one Hail Mary on each bead.
This means you pray the Hail Mary three times.
The prayer begins:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…
The three opening Hail Marys have traditionally been associated with asking for an increase in faith, hope, and charity.
These three prayers are part of the opening section of the Rosary. They are separate from the ten Hail Marys that make up each decade.
Step 5 Pray the Glory Be
After the three Hail Marys, pray the Glory Be.
The prayer is:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…
The Glory Be is a short prayer of praise to the Holy Trinity.
After this prayer, you are ready to begin the first decade and meditate on the first mystery.
Step 6 Announce the First Mystery
Before beginning the first decade, announce the first mystery.
The mystery depends on the day and the set of mysteries being prayed. The traditional sets are the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries.
After announcing the mystery, pray to Our Father on the large bead.
For example, if you are praying to the Joyful Mysteries, the First Joyful Mystery is The Annunciation.
The mystery gives you something specific to meditate on while you pray the ten Hail Marys.
Step 7 Pray Ten Hail Marys
After the Our Father, move through the ten small beads and pray one Hail Mary on each bead.
These ten Hail Marys form one decade of the Rosary.
While saying the prayers, meditate on the mystery that you announced before the decade. You do not have to rush through the words. The purpose is to allow the repeated prayers to create a rhythm for meditation.
When the tenth Hail Mary is complete, the first decade is almost finished.
Step 8 Pray the Glory Be and Fatima Prayer
After the ten Hail Marys, pray the Glory Be.
Many Catholics then pray the Fatima Prayer, also known as the O My Jesus prayer.
This prayer begins:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins…
The Fatima Prayer is commonly included in the Rosary, although it was not part of the original structure of the Rosary.
After completing these prayers, move to the next large bead and announce the second mystery.
How the Five Decades of the Rosary Work
The central part of the Rosary consists of five decades.
Each decade follows the same basic pattern:
Mystery → Our Father → 10 Hail Marys → Glory Be → Fatima Prayer
You repeat this pattern five times.
The mystery changes with each decade. The prayers remain mostly the same, creating a steady rhythm while your meditation moves through different events.
The five decades are:
- First Mystery
- Second Mystery
- Third Mystery
- Fourth Mystery
- Fifth Mystery
After the fifth decade, you move into the closing prayers.
What Are the Four Sets of Rosary Mysteries?
The mysteries of the Rosary are divided into four traditional groups. Each group contains five mysteries.
The Joyful Mysteries
The Joyful Mysteries focus on events surrounding the birth and early life of Jesus.
They are:
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation
- The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
These mysteries invite meditation on joy, humility, obedience, family, and the early life of Christ.
The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Sorrowful Mysteries focus on the suffering and death of Jesus.
They are:
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning with Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion
These mysteries provide an opportunity to reflect on suffering, sacrifice, forgiveness, and Christ’s Passion.
The Glorious Mysteries
The Glorious Mysteries focus on the Resurrection and other events connected with Christ’s glory and Mary.
They are:
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
- The Assumption of Mary
- The Coronation of Mary
These mysteries emphasize hope, eternal life, the Holy Spirit, and the glory of God.
The Luminous Mysteries
The Luminous Mysteries focus on important moments in the public ministry of Jesus.
They are:
- The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
- The Wedding at Cana
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
- The Transfiguration
- The Institution of the Eucharist
These mysteries were introduced by Pope John Paul II in 2002.
When Do You Pray Each Set of Mysteries?
The traditional weekly schedule helps Catholics choose which set of mysteries to pray.
A commonly followed schedule is:
| Day | Mysteries |
| Monday | Joyful Mysteries |
| Tuesday | Sorrowful Mysteries |
| Wednesday | Glorious Mysteries |
| Thursday | Luminous Mysteries |
| Friday | Sorrowful Mysteries |
| Saturday | Joyful Mysteries |
| Sunday | Glorious Mysteries |
Different prayer communities may follow variations of this schedule, particularly around certain liturgical seasons.
The important part is not simply choosing the correct day. The purpose is to meditate on the mysteries while praying the Rosary.
What Is the Hail Mary?
The Hail Mary is the prayer repeated most often during the Rosary.
It begins with words from Scripture and asks Mary to pray for those who are praying.
The traditional prayer includes:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
The second part asks for Mary’s intercession:
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
There are 50 Hail Marys in a complete five-decade Rosary, along with the three Hail Marys prayed during the opening section.
Because the Hail Mary is repeated many times, it creates a peaceful rhythm that allows the person praying to focus on the mystery.
What Is Our Father?
Our Father is prayed once at the beginning of each decade.
Because there are five decades, a complete Rosary contains five Our Fathers within the decades, plus the opening Our Father.
The prayer teaches Christians to address God as Father and ask for daily needs, forgiveness, guidance, and protection from evil.
It is one of the central prayers in Christian prayer and has a particularly important place in the Rosary.
What Is Glory Be?
The Glory Be is a short prayer of praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
It is prayed after each decade.
The prayer helps bring each decade to a close with praise of the Holy Trinity.
Its position also creates a natural transition between one mystery and the next.
What Is the Fatima Prayer?
The Fatima Prayer is commonly prayed after the Glory Be at the end of each decade.
It begins:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins…
This prayer asks for mercy and includes a prayer for souls.
It is widely associated with the Rosary, although Catholics can encounter Rosary traditions that do not include it.
What Is the Hail Holy Queen?
After the five decades are complete, the Rosary traditionally continues with the Hail Holy Queen.
The prayer begins:
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope…
It is a closing Marian prayer that asks for Mary’s intercession and turns attention toward Jesus.
After the Hail Holy Queen, many Catholics pray the concluding prayer of the Rosary before making the Sign of the Cross.
How to Pray the Rosary Step by Step for Beginners
If you are new to the Rosary, you do not need to memorize everything immediately.
Start by learning the basic pattern:
Opening prayers → First Mystery → Our Father → 10 Hail Marys → Glory Be → Fatima Prayer → Repeat four more times → Hail Holy Queen → Closing prayer
Keep your Rosary beads in your hand and move one bead at a time.
When you reach a large bead, you generally pray the Our Father. When you reach the ten small beads, you pray the Hail Mary on each bead.
If you forget a prayer, do not worry. You can use a prayer guide or follow along with a Rosary booklet until the sequence becomes familiar.
The purpose is prayer and meditation, not simply completing the beads as quickly as possible.
How Long Does It Take to Pray the Rosary?
A complete five-decade Rosary commonly takes around 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how quickly you pray and how much time you spend meditating on each mystery.
Some people pray more slowly because they want to reflect deeply on each mystery. Others use a shorter pace when praying during a busy day.
There is no need to rush. Taking time to reflect can help the prayers become more meaningful.
How Many Prayers Are in a Full Rosary?
A standard five-decade Rosary includes several different prayers.
There are:
- One Apostles’ Creed
- Six Our Fathers
- Three opening Hail Marys
- Fifty Hail Marys within the five decades
- Six Glory Bes
- Five Fatima Prayers when included
- One Hail Holy Queen
- One concluding Rosary prayer
- The Sign of the Cross at the beginning and end
The exact number can vary slightly depending on which optional or customary prayers are included.
Can You Pray the Rosary Without Beads?
Yes. Rosary beads are a helpful physical guide, but you can pray the Rosary without them.
You can count the prayers using your fingers, a written guide, a Rosary app, or another method.
The beads help you keep track of where you are, especially when you are learning the sequence. However, the physical beads themselves are not what makes the prayer a Rosary.
What Should You Think About While Praying the Rosary?
The central focus should be the mystery being prayed.
For example, when praying the First Joyful Mystery, you can meditate on the Annunciation and reflect on Mary’s response to God.
During the Sorrowful Mysteries, you can reflect on Christ’s suffering and sacrifice.
During the Glorious Mysteries, you can focus on the Resurrection, eternal life, and the glory of God.
You do not have to create a complicated meditation. A simple thought about the mystery can be enough to keep your mind focused while repeating the prayers.
What If Your Mind Wanders During the Rosary?
It is normal for your mind to wander while praying.
If you notice that you have become distracted, gently bring your attention back to the mystery and continue with the prayer.
You do not need to start the decade over every time your attention moves away.
Prayer is a practice that develops over time. The important thing is to return your attention to God and continue.
Can Beginners Pray Only One Decade?
Yes, someone learning the Rosary can begin with one decade if praying the complete Rosary feels difficult.
You can learn the prayers one at a time and gradually become comfortable with the complete sequence.
For example, you can first learn the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Then learn how the mysteries fit into the five-decade structure.
As you become familiar with the pattern, praying the complete Rosary becomes much easier.
A Simple Rosary Prayer Order to Remember
If you want a short version that is easy to memorize, remember this sequence:
Crucifix: Sign of the Cross → Apostles’ Creed
First large bead: Our Father
Three small beads: Three Hail Marys
Center: Glory Be
Each decade: Mystery → Our Father → 10 Hail Marys → Glory Be → Fatima Prayer
After five decades: Hail Holy Queen → Closing Prayer → Sign of the Cross
This is the basic structure you can keep beside you when learning the Rosary.
Final Thoughts on the Prayers of the Rosary
The prayers of the Rosary follow a consistent order that becomes easier with practice. You begin with the Sign of the Cross and Apostles’ Creed, continue with the Our Father, three Hail Marys, and Glory Be, and then move through five decades.
Each decade includes an announced mystery, one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. Many Catholics also include the Fatima Prayer after each decade. After the fifth decade, the Rosary concludes with the Hail Holy Queen and a concluding prayer.
If you are new to the Rosary, focus first on learning the sequence rather than trying to memorize everything at once. The beads can guide you from one prayer to the next, while the mysteries give you something meaningful to meditate on. With regular practice, the complete order becomes natural and easy to follow.
FAQs About the Prayers of the Rosary
What prayer do you say first on the Rosary?
The Rosary begins with the Sign of the Cross. After that, the Apostles’ Creed is prayed on the crucifix, followed by the Our Father, three Hail Marys, and the Glory Be.
What are the five prayers of the Rosary?
The main prayers commonly associated with the Rosary are the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Fatima Prayer, and Hail Holy Queen. The Rosary also includes the Apostles’ Creed and other customary prayers.
What is the correct order of the Rosary?
The basic order is Sign of the Cross, Apostles’ Creed, Our Father, three Hail Marys, Glory Be, five decades of the Rosary, Hail Holy Queen, concluding prayer, and Sign of the Cross.
How many Hail Marys are in a complete Rosary?
A standard five-decade Rosary has 50 Hail Marys within the five decades. There are also three Hail Marys in the opening section, making 53 Hail Marys in total.
Do you have to pray the Fatima Prayer?
The Fatima Prayer is commonly included after the Glory Be at the end of each decade, but it is not part of the original structure of the Rosary. Rosary traditions may vary in which additional prayers they include.
