The purpose of the Rosary is to help keep in memory certain principal events in the history of our salvation. There are twenty mysteries reflected upon in the Rosary, and these are divided into the five Joyful Mysteries (said on Monday and Saturday), the five Luminous Mysteries (said on Thursday), the five Sorrowful Mysteries (said on Tuesday and Friday), and the five Glorious Mysteries (said on Wednesday and Sunday). As an exception, the Joyful Mysteries may be said on Sundays during Advent and Christmas, while the Sorrowful Mysteries may be said on the Sundays of Lent. The question is sometimes asked, why, of all the incidents in our Lord’s life, the Rosary only considers these particular twenty. The mysteries of the Rosary are based on the incidents in the life of Our Lord and His Mother that are celebrated in the Liturgy. There is a parallel between the main feasts honoring our Lord and his Mother in the liturgical year, and the twenty mysteries of the Rosary. Consequently, one who recites the twenty mysteries of the Rosary in one day reflects on the whole liturgical cycle that the Church commemorates during the course of each year. That is why some of the Popes have referred to the Rosary as a compendium of the Gospel. One cannot change the mysteries of the Rosary without losing the indulgences that the Church grants for the recitation of the Rosary.
The steps to praying the Rosary are:
Make the Sign of the Cross and say the “Apostles’ Creed”
Say the “Our Father”
Say three “Hail Marys” for Faith, Hope, and Charity
Say the “Glory Be”
Announce the First Mystery and then say the “Our Father”
Say ten “Hail Marys” while meditating on the Mystery
Say the “Glory Be” (Optional: Say the “O My Jesus” prayer requested by Mary at Fatima)
Announce the Next Mystery; then say the “Our Father” and repeat these steps (6 through 8) as you continue through the remaining Mysteries.
Say the closing prayers: the “Hail Holy Queen” and “Final Prayer”
Make the “Sign of the Cross”
Pope Saint John Paul II suggested the recitation of the Rosary as follows: the JOYFUL mysteries Monday and Saturday, the LUMINOUS on Thursday, the SORROWFUL on Tuesday and Friday, and the GLORIOUS on Wednesday and Sunday (with this exception; Sundays of Advent and Christmas – the JOYFUL; Sundays of Lent – the SORROWFUL). Here is a chart:
Monday JOYFUL Tuesday SORROWFUL Wednesday GLORIOUS Thursday LUMINOUS Friday SORROWFUL Saturday JOYFUL Sundays of Advent and Christmas JOYFUL Sundays of Lent SORROWFUL Other Sundays GLORIOUS
there is also a manner of praying the Rosary according to the Order of Preachers. It is identical to the normal Roman Catholic manner, except the introductory prayers are based on the opening prayers from the Liturgy of the Hours.
Make the Sign of the Cross
V: Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee. R: Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
V: O Lord, open my lips. R: And my mouth shall declare Your praise. V: O God, come to my assistance. R: O Lord, make haste to help me.
Say the “Glory Be”. Alleluia.
Announce the First Mystery and then say the “Our Father”
Say ten “Hail Marys” while meditating on the Mystery
Say the “Glory Be” and the “O My Jesus” prayer requested by Mary at Fatima (optional)
Announce the Second Mystery; then say the “Our Father” and repeat steps six, seven and eight as you continue through the remaining Mysteries.
Say the “Hail Holy Queen” and verse
Say the “Final Prayer”
V. May the Divine Assistance remain always with us. R. And may the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
Make the Sign of the Cross