While holding the crucifix make the Sign of the Cross and then recite the Apostles Creed.
Recite the Our Father on the first large bead.
On each of the three small beads recite a Hail Mary for an increase of faith, hope and charity.
Recite the Glory Be to the Father on the next large bead.
Recall the first Rosary mystery and recite the Our Father on the next large bead.
On each of the adjacent ten small beads (also referred to as a decade) recite a Hail Mary while reflecting on the mystery.
On the next large bead, recite the Glory Be to the Father. The Fatima decade prayer may also be said.
Each succeeding decade is prayed in a similar manner by recalling the appropriate mystery, reciting the Our Father, ten Hail Marys, the Glory Be to the Father, and the Fatima decade prayer (optional) while reflecting on the mystery.
When the fifth mystery is completed, the Rosary is Customarily concluded with the Hail, Holy Queen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 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 body, and life everlasting. 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 our 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 will be for ever. Amen.
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. (For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, now and for ever.) Amen.
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy! Hail, 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 unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
In the year 1422, a certain young man who had a reverent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and always adorned her statue with a wreath of flowers, was admitted to the Order of Friars Minor.
Not being able to gather flowers and continue this practice in the novitiate, he decided to return to the world, but before leaving, he went to Mary's altar to beg her protection.
Our Lady then appeared to him and said: "Do not be sad and cast down because you are no longer permitted to place wreaths of flowers on my statue. I will teach you to change this pious practice into one that will be far more pleasing to me and far more meritorious for your soul. In place of the flowers that soon wither and cannot always be found, you can weave for me a crown from the flowers of your prayers that will always remain fresh and are always available.
Recite one Our Father and ten Hail Marys while recalling the seven joys I experienced. If you recite these prayers as I have directed, rest assured, dear son, you will weave for me a most beautiful and acceptable crown and will merit for yourself innumerable graces."
The novice began at once to pray as directed. Meanwhile, the novice master entered and saw an angel weaving a wreath of roses and after every tenth rose he inserted a golden lily. When the wreath was finished, he placed it on the youth's head.
The master then commanded the youth to tell him what he had been doing; and the novice explained he had been saying the rosary as the Blessed Virgin had instructed him to do.
As a result, the custom of reciting this crown of seven Our Fathers and 72 Hail Marys, in honor of the 72 years which our Lady lived on earth, became widespread.