1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross: Start by making the Sign of the Cross, saying, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” This gesture acknowledges the Holy Trinity and prepares your heart and mind for prayer.
2. Say the opening prayers. Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles’ Creed. On the first bead, say an Our Father. Say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads. Say the Glory Be.
3. Announce the Mystery. For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery (perhaps followed by a brief reading from Scripture) then say the Our Father.
4. Meditate on the Mystery: While holding each of the ten beads of the decade, next say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery. Then say a Glory Be.
   (After finishing each decade, some say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.)
5. Repeat Steps 3-4: Move to the next decade, which consists of a large bead, followed by ten small beads. Repeat steps 3 and 4 (Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be, and meditation) for each of the remaining mysteries.
6. Conclude with the Hail Holy Queen: After completing all five decades, conclude the rosary by reciting the Hail Holy Queen 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 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.”
7.  Say the final prayer: After the Hail Holy Queen, say this prayer:
   V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
   R. 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 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.
8. Finish with the Sign of the Cross: End the prayer by making the Sign of the Cross once again, saying, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

The Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday)

1. The annunciation of the birth of Jesus to Mary by the Angel Gabriel
2. The visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist
3. The nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Bethlehem
4. The presentation of the Jesus in the temple as an infant
5. The finding of the Jesus in the temple by Mary and Joseph after he was lost as a child

Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

1. The baptism of Jesus Christ  in the Jordan River by John the Baptist
2. The first miracle of Christ at the marriage of Cana in changing water to wine
3. The announcement of the kingdom of God by Jesus
4. The transfiguration of Christ on the mountain
5. The institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday)

1. The agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane
2. The scourging of Jesus at the pillar
3. The crowning of thorns
4. The carrying the cross by Jesus to Calvary
5. The crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ

Glorious Mysteries (Sunday and Wednesday)

• The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead
• The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven
• The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles on Pentecost
• The assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven
• The coronation of the Virgin Mary as queen of heaven