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What is the Holy Rosary?
It is Our Blessed Mother's Favorite prayer - in recent times the Mother of God has appeared in various parts of the world and asked for the recitation of the Rosary, the prayer she gave to the world centuries ago. It is her favorite prayer for it is essentially a meditation on the life of her Divine Son, Jesus. The Rosary is a combination of vocal prayer (the Our Fathers & Hail Marys) and of mental prayer, namely, reflection on important events in the life of Christ and His Mother. When one refers to the Rosary, it is usually understood to mean five decades, or one fourth of the entire Rosary. While many people pray five decades of the Rosary each day, there are a considerable number who pray the entire Rosary, meaning all 4 sets of mysteries, or 20 decades.
  Who can pray it?
Anyone of any faith, or no faith! It is something that is both a vocal prayer, and a contemplative prayer (meaning you meditate with it). The repetitve "Hail Marys" allow for you to quiet the soul and come to a deeper relationship with God. It is much like chanting, which allows the person to quiet the mind, and allow the soul to be free to contemplate God as He is, not as we imagine Him to be. I've never met anyone who ever said the Rosary didn't bring them some kind of peace inside. The key is in the lifting of the spirit to God during the prayers. Here is a link that has the Rosary and it's prayers in many other languages (see list on right side of page).
  
  What benefits can I get from it?
The benefits FAR OUTWEIGH any "inconvenience" that a person might have suffered to say it daily! Besides the opening of the heart and soul to Graces from God, it helps to calm the soul, to help the person see what is truly right and wrong, and to help that soul be more inclined to do God's will rather than their own will. Here is a list of Mother Mary's Promises to all who say the Rosary.
 
  Where Can I get one?
If you don't have a Rosary...there are many places you can get one for free. Many Catholic churches have baskets in the back of the church that have small plastic Rosaries that you can take for free. There are even sites that will mail you one, just email us your address, and in 2-4 weeks you should get one in the mail from us.

Here are some sites that offer FREE Rosaries:

http://www.familyrosary.org/en/TheRosary/RosariesfortheWorldProgram/OrderRosaries/OrderRosaries.aspx

http://rosaryarmy.newevangelizers.com/rosary-request-form/

http://www.freeforcatholics.com/freebies2/Sacramentals/CMUT05TYRJM.cfm

http://www.fingerrosaries.com/howdoigetone.html - these are finger Rosaries, which can be worn on the finger and prayed. It's small and handy, for praying while waiting anywhere!

  
 

How do I pray the Rosary?
Below is a chart that shows you the prayers to say at what parts of the Rosary, if you have one in your hand. You really don't even need an actual Rosary to pray it, you can use your fingers! The beginning of the Rosary is to make the Sign of the Cross, pray the Creed, then 1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be, then you start the First Mystery or decade. Announce the mystery such as, "the first Glorious mystery: the Resurrection", then say 1 Our Father, and on each of your ten fingers, say 1 Hail Mary (10 total to make a decade). Then say 1 Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer, and then start the next decade or mystery...it's that simple. The basic goal of the Rosary is to lift your heart up to God, by repeating the prayers, it becomes like a chant, while your mind and heart are thinking about the mystery that you are on, such as The Resurrection of Our Lord. If you find it difficult to think about the mystery, then just give all your concerns up to God...let Him worry about them for a while.


 
 
The Prayers in the Holy Rosary:

Start by making the sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's 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 to the dead. On the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven, He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and 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 dead and life everlasting. Amen

The Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus, O merciful, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

Pray for us, oh holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen

Final Rosary 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 You, 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

The Our Father:
Our Father, Who is in heaven, Holy is Your Name; Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory now and forever. Amen

The Hail Mary:
Hail Mary, full of Grace, The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus; Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen

The Glory Be:
Glory be to The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen

The Fatima Prayer:
Oh My Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of Hell. Lead all souls into Heaven, especially those in most need of your Mercy, namely, poor sinners. Amen
 
 

Holy Rosary
  During each decade you 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 Feast 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 of Mary into Heaven
5. The Coronation of Mary

     
 

 

The 15 Promises that Our Lady gave to St. Dominic to all those who pray the Rosary Daily

  
 

Our Lady revealed to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan de la Roche benefits for those who devoutly pray the Rosary. Our Lady's promise is shown below. Additional explanation on and doctrinal connections to each promise is shown following in the smaller normal text font and color. Note that the Rosary is the prayer (non-Liturgical) with the most published Magisterial / Papal documents expounding on its excellence. Vatican II's summary on Our Lady is contained in Lumen Gentium chapter VIII.

1. Whosoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.

Signal Graces are those special and unique Graces to help sanctify us in our state in life. See the remaining promises for an explanation for which these will consist. St. Louis de Montfort states emphatically that the best and fastest way to union with Our Lord is via Our Lady [True Devotion to Mary, chapter four].
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

Our Lady is our Advocate and the channel of all God's Grace to us. Our Lady is simply highlighting that She will watch especially over us who pray the Rosary. (see Lumen Gentium chapter VIII - Our Lady #62) [a great more detail is available on this topic in True Devotion to Mary, chapter four, by St. Louis de Montfort]
3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies.

This promise, along with the next, is simply the reminder on how fervent prayer will help us all grow in holiness by avoiding sin, especially a prayer with the excellence of the Rosary. An increase in holiness necessarily requires a reduction in sin, vice, and doctrinal errors (heresies). If only the Modernists could be convinced to pray the Rosary! (see Lumen Gentium chapter V - The Call to Holiness #42) St. Louis de Montfort states "Since Mary alone crushed all heresies, as we are told by the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary)..." [True Devotion to Mary #167]
4. It will cause good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire for Eternal Things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

This promise, along with the previous, is the positive part, that being to live in virtue. Becoming holy is not only avoiding sin, but also growing in virtue. (see Lumen Gentium chapter V - The Call to Holiness #42)
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.

Since Our Lady is our Mother and Advocate, She always assists those who call on Her implicitly by praying the Rosary. The Church reminds us of this in the Memorare prayer, "... never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided ..."
6. Whosoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself/herself to the consideration of its Sacred Mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him/her in His justice, he/she shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he/she be just he/she shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of Eternal Life.

This promise highlights the magnitude of Graces that the Rosary brings to whomever prays it. One will draw down God's Mercy rather than His Justice and will have a final chance to repent (see promise #7). One will not be conquered by misfortune means that Our Lady will obtain for the person sufficient Graces to handle said misfortune (i.e. carry the Crosses allowed by God) without falling into despair. As Sacred Scripture tells us, "For my yoke is sweet and my burden light." (Matthew 11:30)
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.

This promise highlights the benefits of obtaining the most possible Graces at the hour of death via the Sacraments of Confession, Eucharist, and Extreme Unction (Anointing of the Sick). Being properly disposed while receiving these Sacraments near death ensures one's salvation (although perhaps with a detour through Purgatory) since a final repentance is possible.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the Light of God and the plenitude of His Graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the Merits of the Saints in Paradise.

Our Lady highlights the great quantity of Graces obtain through praying the Rosary, which assist us during life and at the moment of death. The merits of the Saints are the gift of God's rewards to those persons who responded to His Grace that they obtained during life, and so Our Lady indicates that She will provide a share of that to us at death. With this promise and #7 above, Our Lady is providing the means for the person to have a very holy death.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

Should one require Purgatorial cleansing after death, Our Lady will make a special effort to obtain our release from Purgatory through Her intercession as Advocate.
10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of Glory in Heaven.

This promise is a logical consequence of promises #3 and #4 since anyone who truly lives a holier life on earth will obtain a higher place in Heaven. The closer one is to God while living on earth, the close that person is to Him also in Heaven. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states "Spiritual progress tends toward ever more union with Christ." (Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2014)
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by recitation of the Rosary.

This promise emphasizes Our Lady's role as our Advocate and Mediatrix of all Graces. Of course, all requests are subject to God's Most Perfect Will. God will always grant our request if it is beneficial for our soul, and Our Lady will only intercede for us when our request is good for our salvation. (see Lumen Gentium chapter VIII - Our Lady #62)
12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.

If one promotes the praying of the Rosary, Our Lady emphasizes Her Maternal care for us by obtaining many Graces (i.e. spiritual necessities) and also material necessities (neither excess nor luxury), all subject to the Will of God of course.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire Celestial Court during their life and at the hour of death.

Since Our Lady is our Advocate, She brings us additional assistance during our life and at our death from all the saints in Heaven (the Communion of Saints). See paragraphs 954 through 959 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
14. All who recite the Rosary are my Sons and Daughters, and brothers/sisters of my Only Son Jesus Christ.

Since the Rosary is a most excellent prayer focused on Jesus and His Life and activities in salvation history, it brings us closer to Our Lord and Our Lady. Doctrinally, Our Lady is our Mother and Jesus is our Eldest Brother, besides being our God. (see Lumen Gentium chapter VIII - Our Lady #62)
15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

Predestination in this context means that, by the sign which is present to a person from the action of devoutly praying the Rosary, God has pre-ordained your salvation. Absolute certainty of salvation can only be truly known if God reveals it to a person because, although we are given sufficient Grace during life, our salvation depends upon our response to said Grace. (See Summa Theologica, Question 23 for a detailed theological explanation). Said another way, if God has guaranteed a person's salvation but has not revealed it to Him, God would want that person to pray the Rosary because of all the benefits and Graces obtained. Therefore the person gets a hint by devotion to the Rosary. This is not to say that praying the Rosary guarantees salvation - by no means. In looking at promises #3 and #4 above, praying the Rosary helps one to live a holy life, which is itself a great sign that a soul is on the road to salvation. (See also paragraphs 381, 488, 600, 2782 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.) In fact, St. Louis de Montfort says even more strongly that "an infallible and unmistakable sign by which we can distinguish a heretic, a man of false doctrine, an enemy of God, from one of God's true friends is that the hardened sinner and heretic show nothing but contempt and indifference to Our Lady..." [True Devotion to Mary, #30]
 

Reminder: these promises mean that, by faithfully and devoutly praying the Rosary, Our Lady will obtain for us the necessary Graces to obtain said promises. It is still up to each individual soul to respond to those Graces in order to obtain salvation.