OCTOBER

The Month of the Holy Rosary

A School of Prayer

October is the month the Church dedicates to the Holy Rosary, a beautiful and powerful prayer beloved by saints and popes for centuries. At its heart, the Rosary is a simple, scriptural meditation on the life of Jesus Christ, guided by His first and most perfect disciple: His mother, Mary.

It is a "school of prayer" where Our Lady takes us by the hand and walks us through the most important moments of our salvation—the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries. As we repeat the familiar, comforting words of the Hail Mary, our minds and hearts are given the space to rest on these mysteries, drawing us ever closer to the heart of her Son.

A Prayer for Our Times

The Rosary is more than a simple devotion; it is a spiritual weapon for peace. The tradition of this month began in 1571, when a victory at the Battle of Lepanto was attributed to the faithful all over Europe praying the Rosary. Today, we continue to turn to this prayer for peace in our world, in our homes, and in our own hearts.


How to Pray the Rosary

If you are new to the Rosary, do not be intimidated. It is a simple prayer for all.

  1. Begin: Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles' Creed while holding the crucifix.

  2. The First Beads: Pray one Our Father, three Hail Marys (for the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity), and one Glory Be.

  3. Announce the First Mystery: For example, "The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation." Take a moment to picture the scene in your mind.

  4. Pray the Decade: Pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys (while meditating on the mystery), and one Glory Be. After the Glory Be, you may add the Fatima Prayer ("O my Jesus, forgive us our sins...").

  5. Repeat: Repeat step 4 for the remaining four mysteries, announcing each new mystery before the decade.

  6. Conclude: After the final decade, pray the Hail, Holy Queen and make the Sign of the Cross.

The Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries

Prayed on Mondays and Saturdays
  1. The Annunciation
  2. The Visitation
  3. The Nativity of Jesus
  4. The Presentation in the Temple
  5. The Finding in the Temple

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays
  1. The Agony in the Garden
  2. The Scourging at the Pillar
  3. The Crowning with Thorns
  4. The Carrying of the Cross
  5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

The Luminous Mysteries

Prayed on Thursdays
  1. The Baptism of Jesus
  2. The Wedding at Cana
  3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom
  4. The Transfiguration
  5. The Institution of the Eucharist

The Glorious Mysteries

Prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays
  1. The Resurrection
  2. The Ascension
  3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
  4. The Assumption of Mary
  5. The Coronation of Mary

Rosary Prayers

Here are all the prayers used in reciting the Holy Rosary, presented in the order they are typically prayed.

1. The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles' Creed

(Said on the Crucifix) I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and 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 into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come 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.

3. The Our Father (The Lord's Prayer)

(Said on the single bead before each decade) 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.

4. The Hail Mary

(Said on each of the ten beads within a decade) 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.

5. The Glory Be (Gloria Patri)

(Said after the last Hail Mary of each decade) 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.

6. The Fatima Prayer (O My Jesus)

(Said after the Glory Be at the end of each decade) O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.

7. The Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina)

(Said after the final decade and Glory Be) Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, 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 valley 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 clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

8. The Rosary Concluding Prayer

(Said at the very end) Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

(Conclude with the Sign of the Cross)

 A Closing Thought

This October, we invite you to pick up your rosary. Don't worry if your mind wanders or if you can't pray all five decades at once. Just start. Pray one decade in the car, on a walk, or before bed. You will be placing your hand in Mary's, and she will lead you to a deeper peace and a more profound love for her Son.