On the first, separate (larger) bead, we pray an 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.
On each of the 3 smaller beads, we pray a Hail Mary, adding the opening intention after the name of Jesus (see below).
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, … (opening intention). Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
After the 3 Hail Marys, we pray the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer:
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.
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.
On the next (large) bead, we pray another Our Father.
Then comes the decade: on each of the 10 smaller beads we pray a Hail Mary, adding the mystery after the name of Jesus.
After each decade, we pray the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
Continuing the rosary, another Our Father follows, then the next decade, the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
Adding a short phrase after the name of Jesus is a cherished Central European custom. If you prefer, you may pray the Hail Mary in its usual form, announcing the mystery at the start of each decade and dwelling on it as you pray.
Having completed the fifth decade, we pray the Hail, Holy Queen, followed by this versicle and prayer:
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 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.
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, meditating upon 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.
Finally, we end the rosary with the Sign of the Cross.
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES (prayed on Mondays and Saturdays)
Opening intentions for the first 3 Hail Marys:
1. who may increase our faith
2. who may strengthen our hope
3. who may perfect our love
For the decades:
1. The Annunciation – whom thou, O holy Virgin, didst conceive by the Holy Spirit
2. The Visitation – whom thou, O holy Virgin, didst carry in thy womb when visiting Elizabeth
3. The Nativity – whom thou, O holy Virgin, didst bring into the world
4. The Presentation in the Temple – whom thou, O holy Virgin, didst present in the Temple
5. The Finding in the Temple – whom thou, O holy Virgin, didst find in the Temple
THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES (prayed on Thursdays)
Opening intentions for the first 3 Hail Marys:
1. who may purify us
2. who may keep our souls in peace
3. who may strengthen us in the sacraments
For the decades:
1. The Baptism in the Jordan – who was baptised in the waters of the Jordan
2. The Wedding at Cana – who revealed the power of God at the wedding at Cana
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom – who proclaimed the Kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration – who revealed his divine glory on Mount Tabor
5. The Institution of the Eucharist – who gave himself to us in the Eucharist
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES (prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays)
Opening intentions for the first 3 Hail Marys:
1. who may enlighten our minds
2. who may strengthen our memory
3. who may perfect our will
For the decades:
1. The Agony in the Garden – who sweated blood for us
2. The Scourging at the Pillar – who was scourged for us
3. The Crowning with Thorns – who was crowned with thorns for us
4. The Carrying of the Cross – who carried the cross for us
5. The Crucifixion – who was crucified for us
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES (prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays)
Opening intentions for the first 3 Hail Marys:
1. who may guide our thoughts
2. who may direct our words
3. who may govern our deeds
For the decades:
1. The Resurrection – who rose from the dead
2. The Ascension – who ascended into heaven
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit – who sent us the Holy Spirit
4. The Assumption – who took thee up, O holy Virgin, into heaven
5. The Coronation – who crowned thee, O holy Virgin, in heaven
Warning
If it is said merely out of duty, the rosary can become a monotonous, mechanical recitation – and then it loses its true meaning. Try to keep your attention on the mysteries, even when the prayer has become a habit.
