Nourish Your Spirit Online

Pray the rosary on your feet: check out the monastery Rosary Steps.

Many resources about praying the rosary exist on the web.

For more information about the rosary to or to pray the rosary online.

The Rosary

A traditional Catholic devotion, the rosary is a meditative form of prayer in which one reflects on different events in the life of Jesus and Mary. Comprised of five decades of the “Hail Mary” prayer, punctuated by the “Our Father,” the “Glory Be,” and if desired, the “Fatima Prayer,” the rosary draws one into a sacred space of meditation. Though not absolutely necessary, rosary beads help to keep track of the prayer. Until 2002, there were three sets of mysteries on which to reflect; on October 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II added a fourth set, the Luminous Mysteries. Though there is no compulsory regulation to do so, the faithful usually pray the mysteries on the following days of the week:

The Joyful Mysteries are a reflection on Jesus’ birth and early life. They usually are said on Monday and Saturday, and Sundays during Advent and the Christmas Season.

The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Birth of Jesus
The Presentation
The Finding in the Temple

The Luminous Mysteries are a reflection on Christ’s mission. They usually are said on Thursday.

The Baptism
The Wedding at Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist

The Sorrowful Mysteries are a reflection on Christ’s suffering and death. They usually are said on Tuesday and Friday, and Sundays during Lent.

The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Bearing of the Cross
The Crucifixion

The Glorious Mysteries are a reflection on Christ’s victory over death and Mary’s special place as his mother. They usually are said on Wednesday and Sunday. 

The Resurrection
The Ascension
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Assumption
The Coronation in Heaven

© 2009 Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, Indiana