The Rosary is a popular devotion that is loved and practiced by many of the faithful. Even though it is Marian in character it contains the entire Gospel message and therefore it is truly a Christocentric prayer. By Marian, we understand that the prayer is directed to God the Father through Jesus by the intercession of the Virgin Mary. The spread of the devotion to the rosary is attributed to St. Dominic, founder of the Order of Dominican Friars, who is said to have received the rosary from Mary herself. St. Dominic prayed in earnest seeking the help of Mary and, tradition asserts, was instructed by her to preach the Rosary among the people as an antidote to the Albigensian heresy and sin. In his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope John Paul II reaffirms that the Rosary has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety. On October 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II included the 5 Luminous Mysteries bringing the total mysteries to 20.

This section of DeaconLaz contains instructions on how to pray the rosary. 

The rosary is a an arranged set of prayers combined with meditations on "mysteries". Mysteries are key events in the life of Jesus as recounted in Sacred Scripture and our Apostolic Tradition. The mysteries are divided into four groups. An entire prayer of the rosary may consist of praying all twenty mysteries or only one type of mystery as follows:

 

Type	Mysteries of the Rosary	Prayed on
Joyful Mysteries The Joyful Mysteries allow us to reflect on the announcement, birth, and childhood of Jesus.	The Annunciation of the birth of Jesus The Visitation (Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth) The Nativity of the Lord The Presentation of the Lord in the temple Finding Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem after being lost for 3 days	Mondays - Thursdays - Saturdays
Sorrowful Mysteries The Sorrowful Mysteries help us reflect on the passion and death of Jesus.	Jesus' Agony in the Garden of Gethsemani Jesus is Scourged at the pillar Jesus is Crowned with thorns Jesus Carrying the Cross The Crucifixion	Tuesdays and Fridays Daily during Lent
Glorious Mysteries The Glorious Mysteries help us reflect on the resurrection of Jesus and the beginning of the Church.	The Resurrection Jesus' Ascension into Heaven the Descent of the Holy Spirit The Assumption of Mary into Heaven Mary is Crowned Queen of Heaven	Wednesdays and Sundays
Luminous Mysteries The Luminous Mysteries help us reflect on the events of Jesus' life that brought light into our world.	The Baptism of the Lord Jesus at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee Jesus' proclamation of God's Kingdom and repentance for sinners The Transfiguration of Jesus The institution of the Eucharist	Option of the faithful

Below is a picture of a wooden rosary and the prayers corresponding to each bead.

 

Praying the Rosary
ACTION	PRAYER	WHERE
Make the sign of the cross	In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen	#1
Pray the Apostle's 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, the third day he arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence 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.	#1
Pray 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, Amen.	#2
Pray Three Hail Mary's	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.	#3
Pray the Our Father & Glory Be	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.	#4
First Mystery	Joyful: Annunciation of Jesus' birth	#4
	Sorrowful: Jesus' Agony in the Garden
	Glorious: The Resurrection of the Lord
	Luminous: Baptism of Jesus
Pray Ten Hail Mary's		#5
Pray the our Father & Glory Be  & the prayer of Fatima	O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of your mercy.	#6
Second Mystery	Joyful: Mary visits Elizabeth	#6
	Sorrowful: Scourging at the pillar
	Glorious: Ascension of Jesus into heaven
	Luminous: Jesus at the wedding at Cana
Pray Ten Hail Mary's		#7
Pray the our Father & Glory Be  & the prayer of Fatima		#8
Third Mystery	Joyful: Nativity of the Lord	#8
	Sorrowful: Crowning with thorns
	Glorious: Descent of the Holy Spirit
	Luminous: Jesus' proclamation of God's Kingdom and repentance for sinners
Pray Ten Hail Mary's		#9
Pray the our Father & Glory Be  & the prayer of Fatima		#10
Fourth Mystery	Joyful: Presentation in the Temple	#10
	Sorrowful: Carrying the Cross
	Glorious: Assumption of Mary
	Luminous: Transfiguration of Jesus
Pray Ten Hail Mary's		#11
Pray the our Father & Glory Be  & the prayer of Fatima		#12
Fifth Mystery	Joyful: Jesus is found in the Temple	#12
	Sorrowful: The Crucifixion
	Glorious: Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven
	Luminous: Institution of the Eucharist
Pray Ten Hail Mary's		#13
Pray the our Father & Glory Be  & the prayer of Fatima		#14
Pray 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, thine eyes of mercy towards us. And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Oh clement, Oh loving, Oh sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, Oh Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.	#14

Optional prayers after completing the rosary.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits, who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Memorae

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother. To you we come; before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in Your mercy, hear and answer us. Amen.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit