The 5-decade Rosary is the most common form of the Rosary used in Catholic devotion. It consists of five groups, or decades, each made up of:
• One Our Father (the Lord’s Prayer)
• Ten Hail Marys
• One Glory Be (Doxology)
Each decade is associated with a specific mystery from the life of Jesus and Mary, which is meditated upon while praying. These mysteries are divided into four sets, and the faithful typically focus on one set of mysteries for each Rosary prayer:
The Four Sets of Mysteries:
1. Joyful Mysteries (Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays during Advent)
• The Annunciation
• The Visitation
• The Nativity
• The Presentation in the Temple
• The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
2. Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)
• The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
• The Wedding at Cana
• The Proclamation of the Kingdom
• The Transfiguration
• The Institution of the Eucharist
3. Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays during Lent)
• The Agony in the Garden
• The Scourging at the Pillar
• The Crowning with Thorns
• The Carrying of the Cross
• The Crucifixion
4. Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays outside Lent and Advent)
• The Resurrection
• The Ascension
• The Descent of the Holy Spirit
• The Assumption of Mary
• The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven
Structure of Prayer:
1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles’ Creed.
2. Pray one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.
3. Announce the first mystery, then pray one Our Father.
4. Pray ten Hail Marys while meditating on the mystery.
5. Conclude the decade with one Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer (optional).
6. Repeat for all five decades.
7. End with the Hail, Holy Queen and the final prayers.
The 5-decade Rosary is a powerful way to deepen one’s faith, reflect on the Gospel, and grow closer to God through prayer and meditation.
