BRANCHES
Center
The Rosary is the prayer Mary gave to the world.
The Rosary is a combination of vocal prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, etc.) and meditation prayer (events in the lives of Jesus and Mary).
Typical Rosary beads include 5 decades. The entire Rosary mediates on 20 decades. The Joyful,Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious decades reflect on the important events in the lives of Jesus and His Blessed Mother. Many pray 5 decades per day, while others will pray 20 decades per day.
PRAYERS of the ROSARY
Sign of the Cross: (Personal Blessing) Bring your thumb, first and second fingers of your right hand together into a point – or holding the small crucifix on your rosary in your right hand – then touch your forehead and say: “In the name of the Father”, touch the center of your chest and say: “and of the Son”, touch your left shoulder and say: “and of the Holy Spirit”, touch your right shoulder and say: “Amen”.
Preparatory 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, 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.
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; on 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 whence 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.
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, full of grace! The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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, 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: O My Jesus, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those who most need thy mercy. Amen.
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 the vale 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.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.