The Holy Rosary | Pilgrimage to Knock

Holy Rosary Prayer

How to Pray the Rosary

TO BEGIN:

The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Per signum Crucis de inimicis nostris
libera nos, Deus noster. In nómine
Patris, et Filii, et Spíritus Sancti.
Amen.

Opening Versicles

V: Lord, open our lips.
R: And we shall praise Your name.

V: O God, come to our aid.
R: O Lord, make haste to help us.

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.

How Is the Rosary Prayed?

At each decade, announce the Mystery. After a brief pause for reflection, pray:

One Our Father
Ten Hail Marys
One Glory Be

At the end of each decade, recite:

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.

Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

Reflecting on the life of Christ

The Joyful Mysteries

Mondays & Saturdays

The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Birth of Jesus
The Presentation
Finding in the Temple

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Tuesdays & Fridays

Agony in the Garden
Scourging at the Pillar
Crowning with Thorns
Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion

The Glorious Mysteries

Wednesdays & Sundays

The Resurrection
The Ascension
Descent of Holy Spirit
Assumption of Mary
Coronation of Mary

The Mysteries of Light

Thursdays

Baptism of Jesus
Wedding at Cana
Proclamation of Kingdom
The Transfiguration
Institution of Eucharist

AT THE END OF THE FIFTH MYSTERY:

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!
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.

Closing Prayers

The Litany of Loreto

Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.

God, the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,

Holy Mary,
pray for us.

Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
Mother of Mercy,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother of Hope,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Saviour,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honour,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Solace of Migrants,
Comfort of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee,
O Lord God,
that we, your servants,
may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body;
and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin,
may be delivered from present sorrow,
and obtain eternal joy.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

For the needs of the Church and the State

Our Father..., Hail Mary..., Glory

For the (arch-) bishop of this diocese and his intentions

Our Father..., Hail Mary..., Glory

For the holy souls in Purgatory

Our Father..., Hail Mary...

V: Requiescant in pace
R: Amen.

Graces from Heaven

15 Promises of Our Lady

Given to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan de la Roche, the Blessed Virgin Mary made 15 magnificent promises to those who faithfully pray the Rosary.

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.

2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.

4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish: it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of people from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things that souls would sanctify themselves by these means.

5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.

6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying themselves to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise them in His justice, they shall not perish by an unprovided death; if they be just they shall remain in the grace of God and become worthy of eternal life.

7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.

9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.

11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.

12. All those who propagate the holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.

13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.

14. All those who recite the Rosary are my sons and daughters and children of my only son Jesus Christ.

15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

Deepening your Devotion

Tips for Meaningful Prayer

1. Focus on the Mysteries

Reflect on how the events in the lives of Jesus and Mary relate to your own experiences. Consider how these mysteries speak to the joys, challenges, and spiritual growth you're going through.

2. Incorporate it into Your Routine

Set aside 15–20 minutes each morning or evening for the Rosary. Making it a regular part of your day can help you form a steady habit. If you're finding it tough to stay focused or commit on your own, try joining a group at a local parish, or a campus ministry at college, or find someone to pray with you, a friend, a classmate, a family member, or even your whole family.

3. Pray with Others

The shared experience can make it more engaging and meaningful.

4. Use a Book, Leaflet, or Technology for Guidance

If it helps, use a Rosary app or an audio guide. Many of these tools offer reflections on the mysteries and can help keep you focused.

5. Even One Decade Matters

If on a given day you're not able to say the full Rosary, be sure to say at least one decade. The important thing is to make the Rosary a meaningful part of your life, one that feels personal and enriching, rather than just a duty. With a bit of creativity, it can become a cherished part of your spiritual journey.