Rosary Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If you wish peace in your family and neighborhood you should say the Rosary.

What is a Block Rosary?

Neighbors meet ONCE a week, preferably at 7:30 P.M. As our BLESSED MOTHER wishes to be the honored Guest, and bless ALL homes of participants, the group progresses from home to home until No. 1 again starts rotation, etc.

MEN, WOMEN and CHILDREN should ALL participate.

Recite 5 decades of the Rosary, meditating on the Mysteries. After each decade, say: “O my JESUS, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those who have most need of thy mercy”.

In conclusion, recite the “Hail, Holy Queen, etc, “also Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us”. “O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us”.

At first meeting, it is recommended that the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary be said, and this Act renewed at regular intervals to remind us that we must be faithful in performing MARY’S requests.

How do you say the Rosary?

How to Pray the Rosary

Diagram of how to pray the rosary

* If you do not know the prayers of the Rosary, you will find them in the Rosary Diagram.

  1. Holding the crucifix of the Rosary with your right hand, make the Sign of the Cross and then kiss the crucifix.
  2. It is good to begin your Rosary by offering it for some intention.
    Example: “I offer this Rosary for all my spiritual needs and those of my family, for the conversion of sinners, in reparation for my sins and those of all sinners, for world peace and the triumph of Mary’s Immaculate Heart.”
  3. On the crucifix, pray the Apostles’ Creed.
  4. On the first single bead after the crucifix, pray an Our Father.
  5. On each of the next three beads, which are grouped together, pray a Hail Mary.
  6. After the three Hail Marys, pray the Glory be. Now this is where the “decades” begin.
  7. On the next single bead, announce the decade and then pray an Our Father. (Example: “The First Joyful Mystery, the Annunciation. Our Father, Who art…”)
  8. On each of the ten beads that follow, pray a Hail Mary while reflecting upon the mystery assigned to this decade (see list of mysteries below). Some people find that looking at a picture depicting each mystery helps them meditate on the mystery.
  9. After the ten Hail Marys, pray the “Glory be” and “O my Jesus…”
  10. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until you have prayed all 5 decades.
  11. Many Catholics also pray the “Hail Holy Queen,” the Prayer to St. Michael, and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin at the end of the Rosary. (The Litany is not listed with the prayers below, but will be available on a separate web page some time soon.)

What are the prayers for the Rosary?

The Sign of the Cross
IN THE NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. (When you say “of the Father, ” touch your forehead; when you say “of the Son,” touch your breastbone; when you say “of the Holy Ghost,” touch your left shoulder and then your right shoulder.

The Apostles’ 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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and sits 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 Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

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.

The Hail 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.

The Glory Be
GLORY BE to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O My Jesus
(Requested by Our Lady at Fatima in 1917; pray after each decade)
O MY JESUS, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of Thy mercy.

Concluding Rosary Prayer
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, by meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen
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!

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the malice and wickedness of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.