The Rosary is a cherished prayer in the Roman Catholic Church that combines vocal and meditative prayer. It focuses on the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, with the repetition of prayers and meditation on specific events called mysteries. Here are the steps on how to pray the Rosary:

Steps to Pray the Rosary

1. Make the Sign of the Cross

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

2. Recite 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; 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 there 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.

3. Say 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.

4. Say three Hail Marys

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.

5. Say a 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.

6. Announce the First Mystery

• Before each decade (group of ten beads), announce the mystery associated with that set of prayers. There are four sets of mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous.
• The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation.

7. Say 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.

8. Say ten Hail Marys

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

9. Say a 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.

10. Optional Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell;
Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

11. Repeat Steps 6-10 for the Remaining Mysteries

Proceed to announce each subsequent mystery and pray the Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and Glory Be as before.

12. Conclude with 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. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

13. End with a Sign of the Cross

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

Purpose of the Rosary

The Rosary serves as a powerful prayer of contemplation, allowing Catholics to meditate on key moments in the lives of Jesus and Mary while seeking their intercession. It fosters spiritual growth, devotion, and a deeper relationship with God through repetitive prayer and reflection on sacred mysteries.