The Holy Rosary - Complete Guide
The Holy Rosary is one of the most powerful and beloved prayers in the Catholic tradition. For over 800 years, Catholics have turned to this beautiful meditation on the life of Christ, prayed through the intercession of His Blessed Mother Mary. Popes, saints, and ordinary faithful alike have found peace, strength, and countless graces through this devotion.
Whether you're new to the Rosary or have been praying it for years, this comprehensive guide provides everything you need: step-by-step instructions, all 20 mysteries with meditations, the prayers in full, and resources for deepening your practice.
As Pope St. John Paul II wrote: "The Rosary is my favorite prayer. A marvelous prayer! Marvelous in its simplicity and its depth."
📿 Learn to Pray the Rosary
New to the Rosary? Our complete step-by-step guide walks you through every prayer and bead. Includes all the prayers, tips for beginners, and answers to common questions.
Complete Step-by-Step Guide →The Mysteries of the Rosary
The Rosary contains 20 mysteries—events from the lives of Jesus and Mary—divided into four groups. Click each to find complete meditations.
Joyful Mysteries
Prayed Monday & Saturday. Meditate on the Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Presentation, and Finding in the Temple.
View MysteriesLuminous Mysteries
Prayed Thursday. Meditate on Christ's Baptism, Wedding at Cana, Proclamation, Transfiguration, and Institution of the Eucharist.
View MysteriesSorrowful Mysteries
Prayed Tuesday & Friday. Meditate on the Agony, Scourging, Crowning with Thorns, Carrying the Cross, and Crucifixion.
View MysteriesGlorious Mysteries
Prayed Wednesday & Sunday. Meditate on the Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, Assumption, and Coronation of Mary.
View MysteriesRosary Resources
Rosary for Beginners
A simplified guide for those just starting out. Learn the basics without feeling overwhelmed.
Start HereScriptural Rosary
Enhance your meditation with Bible verses for each Hail Mary. A beautiful way to pray with Scripture.
View GuideAll Rosary Prayers
Complete text of every prayer used in the Rosary: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and more.
View PrayersWhich Mysteries Today?
| Day | Mysteries |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Glorious |
| Monday | Joyful |
| Tuesday | Sorrowful |
| Wednesday | Glorious |
| Thursday | Luminous |
| Friday | Sorrowful |
| Saturday | Joyful |
Why Pray the Rosary?
It's Christocentric
Though we pray the Hail Mary, the Rosary is ultimately about Jesus. Every mystery focuses on an event in Christ's life. Mary leads us to her Son.
It's Biblical
The prayers come from Scripture. The mysteries are Gospel events. The Rosary is a meditation on the Bible.
It's Powerful
Our Lady has repeatedly asked for the Rosary at Fatima, Lourdes, and other apparitions. Countless saints have attributed miracles and conversions to this prayer.
It's Accessible
Anyone can pray the Rosary anywhere—no special equipment, location, or training required. It can be prayed in 20 minutes or extended over an hour.
It Brings Peace
The repetitive nature of the Rosary calms the mind and opens the heart. Many find it a powerful antidote to anxiety and stress.
What the Saints Say
"The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life."
— Pope Leo XIII
"Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world."
— Blessed Pope Pius IX
"The holy Rosary is a powerful weapon. Use it with confidence and you'll be amazed at the results."
— St. Josemaría Escrivá