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Prayers of the Holy Rosary
The Rosary is composed of a set of traditional Catholic prayers arranged in a specific order. These prayers serve as the framework for meditation on the mysteries of our faith, focusing on key events in the lives of Jesus and Mary.
Below you'll find all the prayers used in the Rosary, from the opening Sign of the Cross to the concluding prayers. Whether you're learning the Rosary for the first time or refreshing your memory, this guide provides all the texts you need for this beautiful devotion.
Essential Rosary Prayers
These are the core prayers that form the structure of the Rosary.
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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 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; He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From there, He will 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.
The Our Father (The Lord's Prayer)
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 do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 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 (The Doxology)
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.
The Fatima Prayer
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 Your Mercy.
(Our Lady at Fatima, July 13, 1917)
The Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina)
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.
Concluding Prayers
These prayers are typically recited after the five decades of the Rosary have been completed.
Final 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, that while meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Intentions of the Holy Father
It is customary to conclude the Rosary by praying for the intentions of the Holy Father:
- One Our Father
- One Hail Mary
- One Glory Be
Additional Marian Prayers
While not required for the Rosary, these prayers are often associated with Marian devotion.
Fatima Prayer #2
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You. I beg pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love You.
(Taught by the Angel to the three children of Fatima, spring 1916)
Memorare of St. Bernard
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Litany of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (also known as the Litany of Loreto) is a beautiful prayer that honors Mary under her various titles. While not a part of the basic Rosary, it is sometimes recited after the Rosary on special occasions.
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, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
Mother of mercy, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honour, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comfort of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of families, pray for us.
Queen of peace, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest 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 intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow, and obtain eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Structure of the Rosary
The Rosary follows a specific structure, with different prayers recited at different points:
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross followed by the Apostles' Creed.
- The Our Father is prayed on the first bead.
- Three Hail Marys are prayed on the next three beads for an increase in faith, hope, and charity.
- Glory Be is prayed, followed by announcing the first mystery.
- For each of the five decades:
- Announce the mystery and pray the Our Father.
- Pray ten Hail Marys while meditating on the mystery.
- Conclude with the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
- After completing the five decades, pray the Hail, Holy Queen and the Final Rosary Prayer.
- End with the Sign of the Cross.
Learn the complete step-by-step guide on how to pray the Rosary →
Origins of the Rosary Prayers
The Hail Mary
The first part of the Hail Mary comes directly from Scripture: the greeting of the Angel Gabriel to Mary ("Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you") in Luke 1:28 and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary ("Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb") in Luke 1:42. The second part ("Holy Mary, Mother of God...") was added in the 16th century.
The Our Father
This prayer was taught by Jesus himself to his disciples when they asked him how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4).
The Glory Be
This ancient prayer, also known as the Doxology, has been used since the early days of the Church as a way to praise the Trinity.
The Fatima Prayer
This prayer was given by Our Lady to the three shepherd children during her apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. It was later added to the Rosary as an optional prayer after each decade.
The Hail, Holy Queen
This prayer dates back to the 11th century and was originally a Latin hymn (Salve Regina). It has been part of the Church's liturgy for centuries and was added to the conclusion of the Rosary in the 16th century.
Begin Praying the Rosary Today
Now that you know the prayers, explore the rich spiritual depth of the Rosary by learning about its mysteries and how to pray it step by step.