Do you know how to pray the rosary? In this post, I will be sharing how we taught our kids to pray the Rosary.
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I love to pray the Rosary. It is definitely one of my most favourite forms of prayer.
A few years ago we really dove into praying the Rosary together as a whole family each night during Lent. To help the kids stay quiet, we used Rosary colouring pages.
Since we find it so fruitful to pray individually and as a family, I wanted to share a bit about this prayer here and include a handy printable for helping kids learn to pray the Rosary and maybe do a bit of quiet colouring while they pray too!
What is the Rosary?
The Rosary is a traditional prayer that helps you meditate on the life of Jesus. The word Rosary comes from Latin and means garland of roses. The roses symbolize the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To pray the Rosary, you follow along a set of Rosary beads. Each bead, or sometimes the space between two beads, is a prayer. Along with those prayers you recite, you meditate on a specific incident in the Life of Jesus or Mary.
What is a Rosary made of?
Rosaries can be made from lots of different materials including glass or precious stones, plastic or wooden beads, or even just knotted ropes. They can be different sizes. Some are just one decade and worn on the finger or the wrist.
Some Rosaries are very delicate, while others are very sturdy. I really like the silicone Rosary beads for little kids. I really like these rugged ones for men.
What are the origins of the Rosary?
The prayer we now call the Rosary developed over time. Its historical basis is found in the religious orders of friars who used to recite the 150 Psalms. From there a practice formed of praying Paternosters (Our Fathers) for those who were illiterate and thus could not pray the Psalms. Then the practice grew up of praying 50 or 150 Aves (the first half of the prayer we call Hail Mary).
Is the Rosary for Children?
Absolutely! Maybe more than any other prayer. Where do children turn when they have a problem? Well, their mothers, of course.
Mary was given to all of us as our mother. At the cross, when Jesus said, “Behold, your mother” to the beloved disciple, he was giving Mary symbolically to us all.
Additionally, at Fatima Mary appeared to three children, Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia. She asked them to pray the Rosary every day to keep world peace. The Rosary is definitely for children.
How do you Pray the Rosary?
The Rosary consists of both prayers and meditations. Below I have listed the prayers in and the different sets of Mysteries to meditate upon as you pray each decade.
What Mysteries Should I pray?
Traditionally, there are certain days of the week for each Mystery. You can also pray a full Rosary (all the mysteries).
- Sunday – Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
- Monday – Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary
- Tuesday – Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
- Wednesday – Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
- Thursday – Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
- Friday – Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
- Saturday – Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary
During Lent, you can pray the Sorrowful Mysteries on Sundays to prepare for the Passion.
During Advent, you can pray the Joyful Mysteries on Sundays to prepare for Christmas.
Prayers of the Rosary in English
Here are the prayers of the Rosary in English:
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed
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 the life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father
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.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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.
Glory Be
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.
Oh My Jesus
O my Jesus, forgive us of our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Hail Holy Queen
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our Life, our Sweetness, and our hope. To thee we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale 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. Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
Final Prayer
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.
Mysteries of the Rosary in English
Here are the Mysteries of the Rosary in English:
Joyful Mysteries
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation in the Temple
- The Finding in the Temple
Sorrowful Mysteries
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning with Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion
Glorious Mysteries
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The Coming of the Holy Spirit
- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Luminous Mysteries
- The Baptism of Jesus
- The Wedding of Cana
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
- The Transfiguration
- The Institution of the Eucharist
Prayers of the Rosary in Latin
Here are the Prayers of the Rosary in Latin:
Sign of the Cross
In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed
Credo in Deum Patrem omnipoténtem, Creatórem cæli et terræ. Et in Iesum Christum, Fílium eius únicum, Dóminum nostrum, qui concéptus est de Spíritu Sancto, natus ex María Vírgine, passus sub Póntio Piláto, crucifíxus, mórtuus, et sepúltus, descéndit ad ínfernos, tértia die resurréxit a mórtuis, ascéndit ad cælos, sedet ad déxteram Dei Patris omnipoténtis, inde ventúrus est iudicáre vivos et mórtuos. Credo in Spíritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclésiam cathólicam, sanctórum communiónem, remissiónem peccatórum, carnis resurrectiónem, vitam ætérnam. Amen.
Our Father
Pater noster, qui es in cælis, sanctificétur nomen tuum. Advéniat regnum tuum. Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo, et in terra. Panem nostrum cotidiánum da nobis hódie, et dimítte nobis débita nostra sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem, sed líbera nos a malo. Amen.
Hail Mary
Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum. Benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta María, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatóribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostræ. Amen.
Glory Be
Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
Oh My Jesus
Domine Iesu, dimitte nobis debita nostra, salva nos ab igne inferiori, perduc in cælum omnes animas, præsertim eas, quæ misericordiæ tuæ maxime indigent. Amen.
Hail Holy Queen
Salve Regína, Mater misericórdiæ; Vita dulcédo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te Clamámus éxsules fílii Evæ; Ad te Suspirámus, geméntes et flentes in hac lacrimárum valle. Eia ergo, Advocáta nostra, Illos tuos misericórdes óculos ad nos convérte: Et Iesum, benedíctum fructum ventris tui, Nobis post hoc exsílium osténde. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo María. V/. Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Génetrix. R/. Ut digni efficiámur promissionibus Christi. Amen.
Final Prayer
Oremus: Deus, cujus Unigénitus, per vitam, mortem et resurrectiónem suam nobis salútis ætérnæ præmia comparávit: concéde, quæsumus; ut, hæc mystéria sanctíssimo beátæ Maríæ Virginis Rosário recoléntes; et imitémur quod cóntinent, et quod promíttunt, assequámur. Per eúmdem Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.
Mysteries of the Rosary in Latin
Here are the Mysteries of the Rosary in Latin:
Joyful Mysteries
- Annuntiatio
- Visitatio
- Nativitas
- Donatio Domini
- Inventio
Sorrowful Mysteries
- Cruciatus In Horto
- Verbera
- Coronatio Cum Spinis
- Portatio Crucis
- Crucificatio
Glorious Mysteries
- Resurrectio
- Ascencio
- Descensus Spiritus Sancti
- Assumptio
- Coronatio
Luminous Mysteries
- Qui apud Iordanem baptizatus est
- Qui ipsum revelavit apud Canense matrimonium
- Qui Regnum Dei annuntiavit
- Qui transfiguratus est
- Qui Eucharistiam instituit
Praying the Rosary in Other Languages
Here is a handy site where you can find the prayers of the Rosary along with the Mysteries in many languages.
Learn More About the Rosary
If you want to dive deeper into this awesome form of prayer, here are some books to check out:
Praying the Rosary Like Never Before
Scriptural Rosary: How to Pray the Rosary and Meditate on the Mysteries including Bible Verses, Art, Reflections, and the Fatima Story
FAQs about the Rosary
The Rosary is a cool combination of repetitive prayer and meditative prayer.
Nope! We honour Mary as Mother of God but we don’t worship her, because worship is reserved only for God. In the Hail Mary prayer, we are repeating what the Angel said to Mary.
The Rosary itself was developed long after Bible times, but parts of the Rosary (like the Our Father and first half of the Hail Mary) are from the Bible. Additionally, the Mysteries of the Rosary are from the Bible.
The Rosary is just a tool to help us pray and talk to God, and meditiate on the Word of God. We don’t worship the beads.
I have heard people go both ways on this one. In my opinion, you can wear a Rosary around your neck, but remember it is for praying, not just a fashion accessory.
Rosaries can be blessed but it isn’t required.
The Rosary is a very powerful form of prayer. You should try it and see what you think!
No, the Rosary doesn’t forgive sins. God forgives your sins, and the Sacrament of Confession is what you want to do if you want to repent of your sin and be forgiven.
It can! You can pray any mysteries on any day of the week, and during Lent you can choose to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries more often.
Yes! You can use your fingers to pray the Rosary if you don’t have beads handy.
Free How to Pray the Rosary for Kids Printable
Don’t go without checking out the free printable Rosary book for kids I have for you!
How to Use this Rosary for Kids Colouring Book:
There are many ways you can use this My Rosary Book printable:
- Homeschool or Catechism lesson on the Rosary
- Quiet time
- To help kids learn to be quiet during the Rosary
- To help children learn meditative prayer
- As an aid in memorizing their prayers
- However you want!
How to Access the Rosary for Kids Printable
- Drop your email in the box below.
- Check your inbox and click through to the PDF.
- Save it to your computer or phone.
- Print it off at home or at your local printer.
- For personal use only, thanks! Email me if you’d like added permissions.
- Watermark free version available on my Etsy shop.
I have more Catholic family resources here on the blog and in my Etsy shop.
How to Take Kids to Adoration with Adoration Coloring Page
The Gift of the Rosary Kids Colouring Card
No time right now? Pin it for later!
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