Begin the Rosary by saying the Apostles’ Creed on the cross of your rosary, followed by one Our Father, three Hail Mary’s and one Glory Be on the beads between the cross and the centerpiece.

Then pray the five decades of the Rosary according to which day it is (see each mystery below). Each decade consists of one Our Father, followed by ten Hail Mary’s (which are said on each of ten beads grouped together), and then in the space pray one Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer (below).

The Fatima Prayer
“Oh my Jesus forgive us our sins save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven especially those most in need of thy mercy.”
(Please note that the Blessed Virgin Mary specifically requested at Fatima in 1917 that we include this prayer after each decade.)

During each decade, meditate on the following events in the lives of Jesus and Mary:

The Five Joyful Mysteries

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

The Five Luminous Mysteries

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

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries

(said 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

The Five Glorious Mysteries

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

(Note: we say the Sorrowful Mysteries during the Sundays of Lent and the Joyful Mysteries on Sundays in Advent.)

Then conclude with the Hail Holy Queen prayer and the following:

“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 while 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.”

* It is common to then add the Prayer to St. Michael.