The Rosary - Introduction

The Rosary is a kind of prayer really dear to the Dominicans. It is a way of meditating on the events of the life of Jesus with the help of his mother.
Pope John Paul II wrote an apostolic letter about the rosary and its value in the present time: Rosarium Virginis Mariae (in English).

This prayer has many layers.

Let's start with the physical layer: the rosary prayer beads and the prayers said. The rosary beads are just a device to keep count of the prayers said. Praying the Rosary does not require a set of beads at all, however having one is helpful to avoid being distracted by the count. Counting on the fingers works well too.

The following description of structure of the rosary is assuming that a common string of rosary prayer beads is available. In case it is not, just count the given number of repetitions.

The structure of the Rosary:

• The sign of the cross on the Crucifix and then the Apostles' Creed;
• The Our Father on the first large bead;
• The Hail Mary on each of the three small beads with the following intentions:
• For the increase of faith
• For the increase of hope
• For the increase of charity
• The Glory Be to the Fathe.

Then repeat the following for five times:

• Announce the mystery - i.e. one of the events of the life of Jesus
• The Our Father on the large bead
• The Hail Mary on each of the ten small beads;
• The Glory Be to the Father;
• The Fatima prayer.

Then conclude with:

• The Hail Holy Queen and the sign of the cross.

The prayers to say during a Rosary are:

• The sign of the cross
  In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
• The Apostles' Creed
   I believe in God,
  the Father Almighty,
  Creator of Heaven and earth.
  I believe 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 to the dead.
  On the third day, He rose again.
  He ascended to Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
  He will come again 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 to the Father
  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 who are in most need of thy mercy.
• Hail Holy Queen
  Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, 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 vale 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 merciful, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.

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• Cambridge Lay Dominicans: The Rosary - Introduction 
• Cambridge Lay Dominicans: The Rosary - Joyful mysteries
• Cambridge Lay Dominicans: The Rosary - Luminous mysteries
• Cambridge Lay Dominicans: The Rosary - Sorrowful mysteries
• Cambridge Lay Donimicans: The Rosary - Glorious mysteries
• Cambridge Lay Dominicans: The Rosary - The litany of Loreto
• Prayer sheet on how to pray the Rosary.

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