How the cycle of mysteries is prayed on 59 beads

Reciting the rosary

The rosary, the most common devotional prayer of Roman Catholicism, evolved after centuries of development. It involves recitation and meditation, with a person using a string of hand-held beads to keep count.

At various stages, the recitation comprises the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father who art in heaven …); a Hail Mary (“Hail Mary, full of grace … ” from the Gospel of Luke); and the doxology (“Glory be to the Father …). The meditation focuses on some aspect of the lives of Jesus Christ or the Virgin Mary called a mystery. Just last year, Pope John Paul II added a fourth “mystery” to the list.

The cycle of mysteries is prayed on the following days:

Joyful mysteries, focusing on Christ’s Incarnation: Monday and Saturday.

Luminous mysteries, focusing on Christ’s public ministries, including his baptism: Thursday.

Sorrowful mysteries, focusing on Jesus’ Passion: Tuesday and Friday.

Glorious mysteries, focusing on Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension: Wednesday and Sunday.

Praying the traditional rosary

. Pray the Sign of the Cross and conclude by kissing the crucifix at the end of the beads.

. Pray the Apostles’ Creed while holding the crucifix.

. On the first large bead and the three smaller beads that follow, pray the Our Father and three Hail Marys while passing the beads through your fingers at a gentle pace.

. Pray the doxology.

. Move to the next large bead. Name the first of the appropriate mysteries and pray the Our Father.

. On the next 10 beads, referred to as a decade, pray 10 Hail Marys, followed by a doxology.

. Repeat this process for each of the five mysteries assigned to that particular day of the week.

. Conclude with the Hail Mary, Holy Queen or the Memorare, followed by the sign of the cross and kiss the crucifix to conclude the prayer cycle.

Sources: HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism; Gloria Hutchinson, “Praying the Rosary: New Reflections on the Mysteries,” 2003.