The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer that invites us to speak the words of Scripture while reflecting on different elements of the life of Jesus. It is one of the most precious gifts of faith and prayer we have been given, since we are able to unite our prayers to those of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. At St. Mary’s, we pray the Rosary together in Church before the first morning Mass of each day. All are welcome to join us in prayer, please note the schedule below for times: 

Monday-Friday: before the 7:00am & 8:00am/8:30am Masses
Saturday: before the 8:00am Mass

There is no Rosary said on Sundays. 

*This schedule is subject to change due to Mass schedule changes*

How to Prayer the Rosary

The Church gives us four sets of five reflections to focus on while praying the Rosary. These reflections are called “Mysteries” and it is encouraged to pray a different set of mysteries each day. While reflecting, we repeat Scripture-based prayers to help us connect with the Holy Spirit. In order to trace our progress through the prayers, we hold a string of rosary beads and let them guide us through prayer. 

Using the Rosary

1. Make the Sign of the Cross: this is how you open and close every time you say a prayer.

2. Holding the Crucifix, pray the Apostles Creed: the Apostles Creed is the statement of our beliefs and faith.

3. On the first bead, pray the Our Father: saying the Our Father dedicates the prayers of the Rosary to God.

4. Pray one Hail Mary for each of the next three beads: one Hail Mary is said for each of the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love.

5. For each of the beads that separate the five decades, pray the Glory Be: this concludes each section of prayer.

6. Each set of 10 beads is called a “decade” (deca = 10). There are five decades in a Rosary: each decade is begun by announcing which particular Mystery you will be reflecting on and then praying an Our Father.

7. Pray one Hail Mary for each of the 10 beads of the decade while meditating on the Mystery you are focusing on that day. At the end of the section, pray a Glory Be to conclude.

• Many people add other prayers to the end of a decade, such as the one given to us by Mary when she appeared to the children in Fatima, Portugal.

  “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.”

8. Repeat this process for all five decades.

9. To conclude the Rosary, pray the following prayers:

• Hail Holy Queen

  “Pray for us, o Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.”

  “Let us pray: O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, 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.”

• Additional prayers may be added

10. Finish with the Sign of the Cross.

The Prayers of the Rosary

1. The Apostles Creed: This prayer reflects an ancient “creed” or statement of beliefs for Christians.

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.

2. The Our Father: This is the prayer that Jesus Himself taught us to pray.

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.

3. The Hail Mary: This prayer comes from the Scripture where Mary’s cousin Elizabeth and also the angel Gabriel greeted Mary.

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 at the hour of our death. Amen.

4. Glory Be

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.

5. Hail Holy Queen (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 signs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, o loving, o sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, o holy mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen

The Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful Mysteries: Traditionally prayed on Mondays, Saturdays, and during the season of Advent on Sundays.

1. The Annunciation: The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will have a son, Jesus.
2. The Visitation: Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is also with child and at a much older age. Elizabeth greets Mary joyfully and can sense Jesus in her womb.
3. The Nativity: Jesus is born in a manger in Bethlehem.
4. The Presentation in the Temple: Jesus is presented in the Temple as a baby and dedicated to God.
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple: As a child, Jesus is separated from Mary and Joseph, and they find Him in the Temple, teaching and asking questions.

Sorrowful Mysteries: Traditionally prayed on Tuesdays, Fridays, and during the season of Lent on Sundays.

1. The Agony in the Garden: Jesus prays and suffers in the garden before being betrayed by Judas and arrested by guards.
2. The Scourging at the Pillar: Jesus is taken and whipped severely (scourged) at a pillar after His arrest.
3. The Crowning with Thorns: A crown of thorns is placed on the head of Jesus
4. The Carrying of the Cross: Jesus carries the cross on which He is to be crucified on to Calvary.
5. The Crucifixion and Death: Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies

Glorious Mysteries: Traditionally prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays (except during Lent and Advent)

1. The Resurrection: Jesus is raised from the dead
2. The Ascension: Jesus ascends into Heaven
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit: Jesus sends down the Holy Spirit upon his disciples.
4. The Assumption: Mary is assumed into Heaven at the end of her life
5. The Crowning of Mary, Queen of Heaven: Mary is crowned by Jesus as the Queen of Heaven.

 Luminous Mysteries: Traditionally prayed on Thursdays

1. The Baptism of Jesus: Jesus is Baptized by John in the Jordan, where the Father identifies Jesus as His beloved Son
2. The Wedding at Cana: Jesus and Mary attend a wedding in the city of Cana, at which Mary asks her Son to help the couple. He responds by turning water into wine.
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God: Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God to His disciples.
4. The Transfiguration: Jesus is transfigured on the top of the mountain by a bright light, showing Himself in a cloud of glory to His disciples.
5. The Institution of the Eucharist: Jesus institutes the Sacrament of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, leaving us His Body and Blood to consume in the form of bread and wine.