NOTE: The following instructions will make the most sense if you have an actual set of rosary beads with you while you read them.

Hold the Crucifix in your right hand and make the Sign of the Cross with it, while saying: "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." Then kiss the Crucifix devoutly, as a sign of your love for Christ, Whom it symbolizes.

While still holding the Crucifix, recite the Apostle's Creed once.

Then hold the first bead after the crucifix and pray the Our Father (also called the Lord's Prayer).

On each of the next three beads, pray a Hail Mary. The first Hail Mary is said for an increase in the virtue of Faith, the second for Hope and the third for Charity.

On the next single bead, pray the Glory Be To The Father. This ends the preliminary prayers. Next you will begin the Rosary proper.

While still holding that single bead, recall the First Mystery and pray an Our Father.

On each of the next ten beads, pray a Hail Mary. Reflect on the Mystery while praying these prayers.

If you are praying the Scriptural Rosary on these pages: read the assigned Scripture verse before praying each Hail Mary. (You will notice that each Mystery Page has ten short passages from Scripture on it; that's one for each Hail Mary!)

After completing the ten Hail Maries, pray the Glory Be To The Father on the next large bead. You may then say the Fatima Prayer if you wish (this prayer is optional, but many Catholics say it).

Each succeding decade is done the same way: Recall the Mystery, pray one Our Father, ten Hail Maries (while meditating), then the Glory Be and Fatima Prayer (optional).

After finishing the Fifth Mystery, pray the Hail, Holy Queen. Then make the Sign of the Cross with the Crucifix again and kiss it on the "Amen". Your Rosary is now complete!

For the text of each prayer mentioned above, see The Rosary Prayers Page.