The Rosary is an important tool for a Roman Catholic devoted to Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Most Christians have professed great experiences while praying the rosary. They believe that while meditating the joys, sorrows and miracles of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, one could find a path of great relationship with God.
There are many methods of praying the rosary. However, here is a simpler and more personal step by step way of saying the rosary. Remember that you can say the rosary either verbal or non-verbal. It is a personal prayer and it is your choice.
1.) Hold the cruciform in your fingers and make the sign of the cross and immediately recite the Apostles’ Creed.
2.) Move to the first bead and recite the Lord’s Prayer or the Our Father
“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."
3.) Move to the antiphon beads (the three beads) and recite three Hail Marys
"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and in the hour of our death. Amen."
While meditating using the antiphon beads, try to think of three important virtues of the Christianity: Faith, Hope, and Charity. Optionally, you can also pray incorporating the intentions of the Pope.
4.) Move to the chain and recite 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, world without end. Amen."
5.) Move to the next bead and recite one Lord’s Prayer. This begins the first decade. Before beginning the decade, remember to recite the first mystery meditated depending on the day.
6.) Move to the center, a small medallion that separates the first decade from the main part, which is consisted of five groups of decades, separated by another Lord’s Prayer bead between each decade.
7.) Move to the first bead of the first decade and begin reciting the Hail Mary.
8.) After completing the first decade, move to the chain and recite the Doxology. You can also add the Fatima prayer optionally.
"O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy".
9.) Continue until you are finished all around the chain and meditated upon the five Mysteries of the day.
10.) Reach the center/medallion and recite the Salve Regina.
"Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!"
11.) Complete the Liturgy of Loreto.
12.) Make the Sign of the Cross and you are done
You can also add prayers before making the sign of the cross. You can add a traditional Christian prayer or a more personal one that you would like to lift to God.
