How To Pray The Rosary by Michelle Yau

Many years ago, I attended a Catholic mass with a (non-Catholic) boy I was dating at the time. When leaving the church, my boyfriend turned to me and asked why we were constantly changing positions as the priest spoke. To be honest, I didn't have an answer for him. After attending church weekly (or twice weekly when school was in session) for so many years, the words can often become rote, and when to sit, stand, or kneel is almost a Pavlovian response. To this day, I don't know the reason behind all of the motions, but in spite of attending various churches over many years, the movements have been consistent in all of them.

Many of the Catholic practices have evolved over time, and how to pray the rosary is one example. Most Catholics believe that the Rosary prayer originated when the Virgin Mary appeared before St. Dominic (the founder of the Dominicans) in the early 1200s with a wreath of roses which she used to teach him to pray the rosary. Although, today's Catholics use Rosaries, pocket Rosaries, or Rosary bracelets rather than wreaths of roses, the basic form of saying the Rosary has remained nearly unchanged in the eight centuries since Mary taught it to St. Dominic.

Begin by making the sign of the cross (briefly touching the fingertips of your right hand to your forehead, the center of your chest over your heart, your left shoulder, and finally your right shoulder while reciting, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.")

Next Recite the Apostle's Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth
Of all that is seen and unseen.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
Who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
And born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again,
He ascended into heaven
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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

The Apostle's Creed is followed by the Our Father prayer.
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.
Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
Now and forever.
Amen

After saying the Our Father once, recite the Hail Mary prayer three times.
Hail Mary full of grace
The Lord is with Thee.
Blessed are Thou amongst women
And blessed is the fruit of they womb, Jesus
Holy Mary, mother of God,
Pray for us sinners
Now and at the hour of our deaths.
Amen

Follow this with a single recitation of the Glory Be to the Father prayer.
Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be
World without end.
Amen

After these prayers are said at the beginning, the following prayers are repeated for each of five decades. Recite the Our Father prayer once, followed by the Hail Mary prayer ten times, and the Glory Be to the Father prayer. Although these prayers can be said without accompaniment, most Catholics use a Rosary, Rosary bracelet, pocket Rosary, or Rosary ring to track the prayers on the beads while praying.

Rosaries, pocket Rosaries, and Rosary bracelets are offered in a large variety of materials ranging from inexpensive plastic and string beaded rosaries to more ornate designs which incorporate lampwork glass beads, Swarovski crystals, and gemstones such as black onyx or amethyst. Some rosary bracelets even incorporate more unusual materials like Bali silver to show that even a religious piece of jewelry rooted in centuries of tradition does not need to look traditional.
About the Author

Michelle Yau is the owner and designer for Trinity London, a jewelry company specializing in rosary bracelets and pocket rosaries.