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Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, "The rosary is the book of the blind, where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open on the substance of the next. The power of the rosary is beyond description."

How To Pray the Rosary:

While the rosary and the indulgences attached to it by the Church essentially concerns the decades and the meditation upon the mysteries only, the following is a customary way of preparing for the rosary and concluding it.

1. Preparation

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

Then recite the Apostle's 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; the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Sprit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.

Then say 1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys (for the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity) and then 1 Glory Be:

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, 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 death. Amen.

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.

How To Pray The Rosary

And while one is saying the Hail Mary prayers they can meditate on the specific mystery. For example -- here are meditations for the First Luminous Mystery:

The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan

1.) In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea

(and) saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" Matthew 3:1-2 Hail Mary

2.) I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3:11 - Hail Mary

3.) Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. Matthew 3:13- Hail Mary

4.) John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Matthew 3:14 - Hail Mary

5.) Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. Matthew 3:15 - Hail Mary

6.) After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him. Matthew 3:16 ) - Hail Mary

7.) And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17- Hail Mary

8.) Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. (Acts 2,38) - Hail Mary

9.) For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3,27) - Hail Mary

10.) He said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; (Mark 16,14-15a) - Hail Mary