Catholic Student Center at USF

The Rosary was developed as a means for ordinary Christians to follow the example of monastic communities which used the 150 Psalms of David as their weekly format of prayer, called the Liturgy of the Hours. For believers living and working in the world, it was deemed impractical to try to recite the psalter weekly. The Rosary emulates the Psalter: instead of praying the 150 Psalms, one prays 150 repetitions of the Hail Mary, along with other prayers. The Mysteries of the Rosary are chosen from among the major events of Our Lord's passion and death. Meditating on the Mysteries allows one to encounter in prayer the events through which Jesus won forgiveness for our sins.

To Pray the Rosary:

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and recite the Apostle's Creed.

2. Pray the Lord's Prayer.

3. Pray one Hail Mary for each of the three beads.

4. Recite the Doxology ("Glory Be") between the two beads.

5. Announce and meditate on the First Mystery and then pray the Lord's Prayer.

6. Pray one Hail Mary for each of the ten beads.

7. Recite the Doxology ("Glory Be").

8. Announce and meditate on the Second Mystery and then pray the Lord's Prayer.
   Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Mysteries.

9. Say the Hail Holy Queen.

The Sign of the Cross
In the Name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ,
His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified,
died and was buried.
He descended into hell;
on the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
sits at the right hand of God,
the Father Almighty.
From there he shall come
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.

The Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace!
The is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed in the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Doxology
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be,
forever and ever. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy!
Our life, our sweetness and our hope!
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, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

The Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary with Scripture Meditation

Joyful Mysteries

Annunciation: Luke 1:31-32

Visitation : Luke 1:42, 45

Nativity: Luke 2:6-7

Presentation: Luke 2:22

Finding in the Temple: Luke 2:46-47

Sorrowful Mysteries

Agony in the Garden: Matthew 26:36, 39

Scourging at the Pillar: Matthew 27:25-26

Crowning with Thorns: Matthew 27:28-29

Carrying the Cross: John 19:12-18

Crucifixion & Death: Luke 23:45-46

Glorious Mysteries

Resurrection of Our Lord: Matthew 28:5-6

Ascension into Heaven: Luke 24:50-51

Descent of the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:3-4

Assumption of Mary: Judith 13:18

Coronation of Mary: Revelation 12:1