The rosary is not just a prayer; it is a wonderful means of sanctification and spiritual progress, one of the best schools of virtue and Christian life. Symbolically, the rosary represents a ladder that, through prayer, leads us to Heaven. Regardless of the number of beads, the rosary is always made in the form of a circle—a symbol of eternity and continuous Christian prayer to the Creator. It also symbolizes the martyrs' crown and the reward for those who have known God through prayer.

We start with the sign of the cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (3 times)
Glory to You, our God, glory to You. Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present everywhere and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us from all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One. (From Easter to Ascension, instead of the prayer "Heavenly King": Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life. Amen. (3 times))

On the first large bead:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

On the three small beads:

First small bead: Glory be to the Father, who created us, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus, for you have borne the Savior of our souls.
Second small bead: Glory be to the Son who redeemed us, now and always and forever and ever. Amen. Hail Mary...
Third small bead: Glory be to the Holy Spirit who enlightened us, now and always and forever and ever. Amen. Hail Mary…

On the second large bead:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
We meditate on the First Mystery:
O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Your mercy.
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.

On the ten small beads:

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.

On the large beads between the decades:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
After each decade, the following is said:
O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Your mercy.
Our Father…

At the end of the rosary:

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 towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

When and which mysteries to recite:

(In the Eastern tradition, the Rosary Mysteries are divided on specific days: Joyful Mysteries on Monday and Tuesday, Luminous Mysteries on Thursday, Sorrowful Mysteries on Wednesday and Friday, Glorious Mysteries on Saturday and Sunday.)

Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful Mysteries - Monday and Tuesday

First Joyful Mystery - The Annunciation
As the angel entered unto her, he said, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women... Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus."
(Luke 1:28-31)
Virtue of Humility

Second Joyful Mystery - The Visitation of Elizabeth
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."
(Luke 1:41-42)
Virtue of Love for One's Neighbor

Third Joyful Mystery - The Nativity of Jesus
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:7)
Virtue of Spiritual Poverty

Fourth Joyful Mystery - The Presentation in the Temple
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord... As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.
(Luke 2:22-23)
Virtue of Obedience

Fifth Joyful Mystery - Finding Jesus in the Temple
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
(Luke 2:41-42)
Virtue of Piety

Luminous Mysteries - Thursday

First Luminous Mystery - The Baptism of Jesus
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
(Mark 1:9-10)
Virtue of Sincere Repentance

Second Luminous Mystery - The Wedding at Cana
When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
(John 2:3-5)
Virtue of Devotion to the Virgin Mary

Third Luminous Mystery - The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
(Mark 1:14-15)
Virtue of Conversion

Fourth Luminous Mystery - The Transfiguration of Jesus
And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light... behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
(Matthew 17:2-5)
Virtue of Gratitude to God

Fifth Luminous Mystery - The Institution of the Eucharist
And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many."
(Matthew 26:26-28)
Virtue of Thankfulness to God

Sorrowful Mysteries - Wednesday and Friday

First Sorrowful Mystery - The Agony in the Garden
Being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow.
(Luke 22:44-45)
Virtue of Submission to God's Will

Second Sorrowful Mystery - The Scourging at the Pillar
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.
(John 19:1)
"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds, we are healed."
(Isaiah 53:5)
Virtue of Purity

Third Sorrowful Mystery - The Crowning with Thorns
And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck him with their hands.
(John 19:1-3)
Virtue of Spiritual Courage

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery - The Carrying of the Cross
So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.
(John 19:17)
Virtue of Patience

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery - The Crucifixion of Jesus
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour... Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this, he breathed his last.
(Luke 23:44-46)
Virtue of Ultimate Endurance

Glorious Mysteries - Saturday and Sunday

First Glorious Mystery - The Resurrection
But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay."
(Matthew 28:5-6)
Virtue of Faith
Second Glorious Mystery - The Ascension
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
(Luke 24:51-53)
Virtue of Hope
Third Glorious Mystery - The Descent of the Holy Spirit
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
(Acts 2:2-4)
Virtue of Love
Fourth Glorious Mystery - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
On your immortal departure, Virgin, the apostles, dispersed throughout the world, were brought together from afar and, as they stood by your bed, sang the funeral hymn. And they revered your most pure body. Then they tenderly laid it in a tomb while joyfully chanting to you, O Mother of God: 'Rejoice, for you, who gave birth to God, have passed over into eternal life.'
(Mineya)
Virtue of a Happy Death
Fifth Glorious Mystery - The Coronation of Mary in Heaven
We sing the praises of your truly immortal childbearing, O Virgin! The angel Gabriel, standing before you, saluted you, saying, "Rejoice, O Lady, with joy thou shalt bring forth the pre-eternal Joy." And the righteous David asked: "Who is this child in your arms, O pure Maiden?"
(Psalm 44:10)
Virtue of Eternal Salvation