A guided five-decade Rosary

The Glorious Mysteries

The victory and promise of new creation

The risen Christ draws the Church from the empty tomb toward the life of heaven. These mysteries contemplate victory, mission, the gift of the Spirit, and the destiny already revealed in Mary.

5 mysteriesApproximately 20 minutesCustomarily prayed Wednesday and Sunday

Before the first decade

Begin at the crucifix

Make the Sign of the Cross. Pray the Apostles’ Creed on the crucifix, an Our Father on the first large bead, three Hail Marys for growth in faith, hope, and charity, and the Glory Be.

These pacing notes and meditations are editorial guidance by Auxesis Library. Scripture references invite reading; they are not presented here as substitute quotations.

01Apostles’ CreedOn the crucifix
02Our FatherOn the first large bead
03Three Hail MarysFor faith, hope, and charity
04Glory BeBefore the first mystery

The risen Christ steps from the tomb carrying the banner of victory. — The ResurrectionPerugino · undatedThe Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain / CC0^{1The Resurrection — The Metropolitan Museum of ArtOpen source ↗}

01Glorious

The first mystery

The Resurrection

ReadMatthew 28:1–10; John 20:1–18

Grace to askLiving faith

The sealed tomb cannot hold the Author of life. Ask for faith that does more than admire the Resurrection: faith willing to leave the grave clothes of sin and live now as a member of Christ’s new creation.

1 Our Father10 Hail Marys1 Glory Be

Announce the mystery, read the passage if possible, then let the repeated prayer carry your attention through the scene. If it is your custom, add the Fatima decade prayer after the Glory Be.

Mary and the apostles look upward as Christ ascends into cloud and glory. — The Ascension of ChristHans Süss von Kulmbach · 1513The Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain / CC0^{2The Ascension of Christ — The Metropolitan Museum of ArtOpen source ↗}

02Glorious

The second mystery

The Ascension

ReadActs 1:6–11; Luke 24:50–53

Grace to askHope and desire for heaven

Christ returns to the Father without abandoning his body, the Church. Lift your heart toward the homeland he prepares, then hear the angels’ question and turn that hope into witness here and now.

1 Our Father10 Hail Marys1 Glory Be

Announce the mystery, read the passage if possible, then let the repeated prayer carry your attention through the scene. If it is your custom, add the Fatima decade prayer after the Glory Be.

The Holy Spirit descends upon Mary and the apostles gathered at Pentecost. — The PentecostMaster of the Egmont Albums · 16th centuryThe Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain / CC0^{3The Pentecost — The Metropolitan Museum of ArtOpen source ↗}

03Glorious

The third mystery

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

ReadActs 2:1–13

Grace to askWisdom and apostolic zeal

The disciples who waited with Mary are filled with the promised Spirit and sent into speech, courage, and communion. Ask the Holy Spirit to burn away fear and make your gifts useful for the Church’s mission.

1 Our Father10 Hail Marys1 Glory Be

Announce the mystery, read the passage if possible, then let the repeated prayer carry your attention through the scene. If it is your custom, add the Fatima decade prayer after the Glory Be.

Mary is assumed into heaven amid angels while the apostles look upward. — The Assumption of the VirginBergognone · ca. 1510The Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain / CC0^{4The Assumption of the Virgin — The Metropolitan Museum of ArtOpen source ↗}

04Glorious

The fourth mystery

The Assumption of Mary

ReadRevelation 12:1; cf. Luke 1:46–55 and 1 Corinthians 15:20–23

Grace to askHope in the resurrection of the body

In Mary assumed body and soul, the Church contemplates the promised completion of Christ’s victory. Ask to live with reverence for the body and with hope fixed upon the resurrection rather than decay.

1 Our Father10 Hail Marys1 Glory Be

Announce the mystery, read the passage if possible, then let the repeated prayer carry your attention through the scene. If it is your custom, add the Fatima decade prayer after the Glory Be.

Christ crowns the Virgin Mary as angels gather around the heavenly throne. — Coronation of the VirginGiovanni di Paolo · ca. 1455The Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain / CC0^{5Coronation of the Virgin — The Metropolitan Museum of ArtOpen source ↗}

05Glorious

The fifth mystery

The Coronation of Mary

ReadRevelation 12:1; Psalm 45:9–17

Grace to askPerseverance and trust in Mary’s intercession

The Mother who shared Christ’s humility and Cross now shares his royal victory. Entrust the Church and your final perseverance to Mary, asking to belong wholly to the Kingdom of her Son.

1 Our Father10 Hail Marys1 Glory Be

Announce the mystery, read the passage if possible, then let the repeated prayer carry your attention through the scene. If it is your custom, add the Fatima decade prayer after the Glory Be.

After the fifth decade

Gather the prayer

Pray the Hail, Holy Queen and the concluding Rosary prayer. End with the Sign of the Cross. Carry one word, image, or grace from the mysteries into the duties immediately before you.

Open the principal prayer texts

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 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 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.

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.

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley 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.