Step-by-step instructions for praying the rosary:

1. Make the Sign of the Cross.

Sign of the Cross

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

Amen.

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2. Holding the Crucifix, say the The Apostles' Creed.

The Apostles' Creed

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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 again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
And is seated at the right hand
Of God the Father Almighty;
From there He will 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.

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3. On the first bead, say the Our Father.

The Our Father

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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.

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4. Say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads.

Hail Mary

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Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

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5. Say the Glory Be (Doxology).

The Glory Be (Doxology)

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Glory be to the Father,
to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.

Amen.

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6. The First Sorrowful Mystery is The Agony in the Garden

And being in agony He was praying very fervently and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. (Luke 22, 44)

7. Say the Our Father.
8. While fingering each of the ten beads of the decade, next say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery. Then say a Glory Be.
9. After finishing each decade, say the Fatima Prayer.

The Fatima Prayer

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O my Jesus, forgive us our sins,
save us from the fires of hell;
lead all souls to Heaven,
especially those who have
most need of your mercy.

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10. The Second Sorrowful Mystery is The Scourging at the Pillar

Wishing to satisfy the crowd Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. (Mark 15, 15)

11. Say the Our Father.
12. While fingering each of the ten beads of the decade, next say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery. Then say a Glory Be.
13. After finishing each decade, say the Fatima Prayer.
14. The Third Sorrowful Mystery is The Crowning with Thorns

And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. (Matt. 27, 29-30)

15. Say the Our Father.
16. While fingering each of the ten beads of the decade, next say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery. Then say a Glory Be.
17. After finishing each decade, say the Fatima Prayer.
18. The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery is The Carrying of the Cross

So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified. They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. (John 19, 16-17)

19. Say the Our Father.
20. While fingering each of the ten beads of the decade, next say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery. Then say a Glory Be.
21. After finishing each decade, say the Fatima Prayer.
22. The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery is The Crucifixion and Death

Therefore, when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (John 19, 30)

23. Say the Our Father.
24. While fingering each of the ten beads of the decade, next say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery. Then say a Glory Be.
25. After finishing each decade, say the Fatima Prayer.
26. After saying the five decades, say the Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina).

Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina)

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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.

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27. Say the Prayer for Peace

Mother Mary, through your intercession, we beg you. Please bring peace to our families, to our country and to the whole world.

28. Say the The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Litany of the Blessed 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 Pray for us Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us Mother of Christ, Pray for us Mother of divine grace, Pray for us Mother most pure, Pray for us Mother most chaste, Pray for us Mother inviolate, Pray for us Mother undefiled, Pray for us Mother immaculate, Pray for us Mother most amiable, Pray for us Mother most admirable, Pray for us Mother of good counsel, Pray for us Mother of our Creator, Pray for us Mother of our Savior, Pray for us Virgin most prudent, Pray for us Virgin most venerable, Pray for us Virgin most renowned, Pray for us Virgin most powerful, Pray for us Virgin most merciful, Pray for us Virgin most faithful, Pray for us Mirror of justice, Pray for us Seat of wisdom, Pray for us Cause of our joy, Pray for us Spiritual vessel, Pray for us Vessel of honor, Pray for us Singular vessel of devotion, Pray for us Mystical rose, Pray for us Tower of David, Pray for us Tower of ivory, Pray for us House of gold, Pray for us Ark of the Covenant, Pray for us Gate of Heaven, Pray for us Morning star, Pray for us Health of the sick, Pray for us Refuge of sinners, Pray for us Comforter of the afflicted, Pray for us Help of Christians, Pray for us Queen of angels, Pray for us Queen of patriarchs, Pray for us Queen of prophets, Pray for us Queen of apostles, Pray for us Queen of martyrs, Pray for us Queen of confessors, Pray for us Queen of virgins, Pray for us Queen of all saints, Pray for us Queen conceived without Original Sin, Pray for us Queen assumed into Heaven, Pray for us Queen of the most holy Rosary, Pray for us Queen of peace, Pray for us

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

29. Say the following dialogue:
• V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
• R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
30. Say the Concluding Prayer(s).

Let us pray: O God, Whose Only Begotten Son, by His life, Death, and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. L. May the divine assistance remain always with us. R. Amen. L. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. L. May the blessing of the Almighty God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit descend upon us and remain with us always. R. Amen.

31. A Consecration to the Holy Family may also follow

Consecration to the Holy Family

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O Jesus, our most loving Savior who deigned to come in to the world from heaven not only to enlighten it by teaching and by Your example, and to save it by death, but also to spend the greater part of life in humble obedience to Mary and Joseph in the obscurity of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the home which was to be the model of all Christian homes: graciously receive this family which consecrates itself to you this day. Protect us and maintain in us all through life Your holy fear and love, and true harmony and charity among ourselves, so that we imitate Your Holy Family, be one in heart and soul on earth and obtain eternal happiness and glory with You in heaven.

O Mary, loving Mother of Jesus and our Mother, by your merciful intercession deign to make this humble dedication acceptable to Jesus Christ so that we may obtain His grace to be a truly Christian family.

St. Joseph, guardian and supporter of Jesus and Mary, help us with your powerful prayers in all our corporal and spiritual needs, and especially at the hour of our death, so that we may be one day all united in heaven with you to praise and love Jesus and Mary forever and ever.

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32. Conclude the Rosary with the Sign of the Cross.