The following prayers are used in meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary.
The Sign of the Cross:
This prayer, in which one professes his or her faith in the holy Trinity, in said in conjunction with making a gesture in the form of a cross—touching one’s forehead, breast, left shoulder, and right shoulder.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Apostle’s Creed
Latin Name: Credo
This prayer is so named not because it was composed by the Apostles, but rather because it expresses their teachings. Historians date the text from 150 A.D. to 400 A.D.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker 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, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. 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. He will come again 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 the life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father
Latin Name: Pater Noster
Also known as the Lord’s Prayer, this prayer was taught by Jesus to his disciples. See Matthew 6:9–13.
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.
Hail Mary
Latin Name: Ave Maria
This prayer is at the center of the Rosary devotion. It is the best-known and most popular prayer in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is formed from verses in Luke 1:28 when the angel Gabriel visits Mary (“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.”) and Luke 1:42 when Elizabeth greets Mary (“Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb)
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.
Glory Be to the Father
Latin Name: Gloria or Gloria Patri
This prayer is a short hymn giving glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It has been used since at least the fourth century, although the present form dates from the seventh century.
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.
Fatima Prayer
This prayer originates from the Marian apparitions that occurred in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, which were witnessed by three local children: Lucia dos Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto. The apparitions were confirmed by the most public miracle since the Resurrection, “the miracle of the dancing sun,” witnessed by scores of thousands over an area of many miles. While there are five Fatima prayers—the Decade Prayer, the Pardon Prayer, the Angel’s Prayer, the Eucharistic Prayer, and the Sacrifice Prayer—it is the Decade Prayer that is used with the Rosary.
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen
Latin Name: Salve Regina
This prayer, the final prayer of the Rosary—and the prayer next most commonly recited after the Hail Mary, to honor Mary—was composed in the eleventh century.
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 vale 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.
