The Rosary is a Catholic prayer devotion that draws us closer to Jesus and Mary by reflecting on key moments in their lives. According to Catholic tradition, Mary gave the Rosary to St. Dominic when she appeared to him in 1214. In 1520, Pope Leo X approved it for use by lay people. In those days, many were illiterate, so the Rosary allowed anyone to pray with familiar words from scripture.
The word Rosary comes from the Latin rosarium, which means rose garden. In scripture, roses symbolize perfection. So, the Rosary is like a perfect garden of prayers.
The Rosary involves a lot of repetition. You might be wondering, why pray the same prayers over and over again? Praying the Rosary helps slow us down, calm our hearts, and get in touch with our desires for God.
So, if you want to try praying the Rosary, where do you start? Busted Halo’s new 2-minute video has you covered. Learn about the history and tradition of the Rosary, how to pray, what it means to meditate on the Mysteries of the Rosary, and more!
To download this video go here and click the download arrow or choose save or download (top right). Please note, all Busted Halo videos are free to use in parishes, schools, or for other educational purposes. In fact, we encourage it!
Resources and reflections
The Rosary can be prayed anywhere and is a prayer for everyone. Here are a few additional resources to help you pray the Rosary or share this prayer with your parish or classroom.
“The Catholic Rosary: A Study in the Power of Prayer”
“What Are the Origins of the Rosary?”
“Can I Wear a Rosary Around My Neck?”
“Saying the Rosary and SAYING the Rosary”
“Understanding the Rosary: A Wake-Up Call”
Podcast: “How Did the Rosary Begin?”
Podcast: “Mysteries of the Rosary”
What are the prayers of the Rosary?
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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 from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rosary Prayer
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 by meditating upon 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.
What are the Mysteries of the Rosary?
These “Mysteries” (not the crime-solving kind) focus on the significant events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. They’re broken down into four categories and generally prayed on different days of the week:
The Joyful Mysteries (Mondays and Saturdays)
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation
- Finding Jesus in the Temple
The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays)
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning of Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion
The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays)
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The Coming of the Holy Spirit
- The Assumption of Mary
- The Coronation of Mary
The Luminous Mysteries (or Mysteries of Light) (Thursdays)
- Jesus’ Baptism
- The Wedding Feast at Cana
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
- The Transfiguration
- The Institution of the Eucharist
The Rosary is a powerful prayer. Many miracles have been attributed to the Rosary (like the miracle at Fatima), and countless others have experienced healing, conversion, and answered prayers. But the biggest miracle of all is the hope it has given to millions around the world.
Originally published May 21, 2018.
