How to say the Rosary
How to say the Rosary
Of the many versions of the Rosary, the most popular is the Dominican one. In its complete form, the Rosary consist of saying 15 decades. Decades are groups of 10 beads on which a prayer is said. The common Rosary has only five decades. The following illustration shown a picture of the rosary.
As we said in the previous page the Rosary uses repetition and meditation-it is spiritual practice. Here is how it said:
- While holding the crucifix, make the sign of the cross and then recite the Apostles' Creed.
- Recite the Our Father prayer on the first large bead.
- On each of the three small beads, recite a Hail Mary asking for an increase of the faith, hope, and charity.
- Recite the Glory Be to the Father before the Our Father on the next large bead.
- Recall the first Rosary mystery and recite the Our Father on the next large bead.
- On each of the adjacent 10 small beads, recite a Hail Mary while reflecting on the mystery. This completes a decade.
- Each succeeding decade is prayed in a similar manner by recalling the appropriate mystery, reciting the Our Father, saying 10 Hail Mary and one Glory Be, and reflecting on the next mystery.
- When the Rosary is completed, it is traditionally concluded with the prayer, "Hail Holy Queen."
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