The Scriptural Rosary
The Scriptural Rosary enriches the traditional Rosary by adding a short Bible verse before each Hail Mary. This helps focus the mind on the mystery being contemplated and deepens the meditation with the Word of God.
This form of the Rosary answers those who wonder if the Rosary is biblical. Not only are the prayers themselves drawn from Scripture (the Hail Mary comes from Luke 1:28 and 1:42), but the mysteries are Gospel events. The Scriptural Rosary makes this biblical foundation explicit.
How to Pray
For each Hail Mary, read the Scripture verse, pause briefly to meditate, then pray the Hail Mary. This approach takes longer but offers richer contemplation.
The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Pray the Our Father, then for each Hail Mary:
- "The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth." (Luke 1:26) — Hail Mary...
- "To a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David." (Luke 1:27) — Hail Mary...
- "And the virgin's name was Mary." (Luke 1:27) — Hail Mary...
- "The angel said to her, 'Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!'" (Luke 1:28) — Hail Mary...
- "But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what sort of greeting this might be." (Luke 1:29) — Hail Mary...
- "The angel said, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.'" (Luke 1:30) — Hail Mary...
- "'You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.'" (Luke 1:31) — Hail Mary...
- "'He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High.'" (Luke 1:32) — Hail Mary...
- "Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.'" (Luke 1:38) — Hail Mary...
- "'Let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her." (Luke 1:38) — Hail Mary...
Glory Be... Fatima Prayer...
The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
- "Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah." (Luke 1:39) — Hail Mary...
- "She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth." (Luke 1:40) — Hail Mary...
- "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the babe leaped in her womb." (Luke 1:41) — Hail Mary...
- "Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit." (Luke 1:41) — Hail Mary...
- "'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!'" (Luke 1:42) — Hail Mary...
- "'Why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?'" (Luke 1:43) — Hail Mary...
- "'Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her.'" (Luke 1:45) — Hail Mary...
- "Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord.'" (Luke 1:46) — Hail Mary...
- "'My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.'" (Luke 1:47) — Hail Mary...
- "'He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.'" (Luke 1:49) — Hail Mary...
Glory Be... Fatima Prayer...
The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
- "Joseph went up from Galilee to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem." (Luke 2:4) — Hail Mary...
- "He went to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child." (Luke 2:5) — Hail Mary...
- "While they were there, the time came for her to be delivered." (Luke 2:6) — Hail Mary...
- "She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths." (Luke 2:7) — Hail Mary...
- "She laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7) — Hail Mary...
- "An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone around them." (Luke 2:9) — Hail Mary...
- "'Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy.'" (Luke 2:10) — Hail Mary...
- "'For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" (Luke 2:11) — Hail Mary...
- "The shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." (Luke 2:16) — Hail Mary...
- "Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) — Hail Mary...
Glory Be... Fatima Prayer...
Continue with More Mysteries
This page provides a sample of the Scriptural Rosary method with the first three Joyful Mysteries. For complete Scripture verses for all 20 mysteries, see our detailed guides:
Benefits of the Scriptural Rosary
- Deeper meditation: The verses keep your mind focused on the mystery
- Biblical formation: You learn Scripture passages by heart over time
- Variety: Different verses can be used for the same mystery
- Answer to objections: Demonstrates the biblical foundation of the Rosary
- Group prayer: Works beautifully when prayed together, with one person reading verses