October has traditionally been the month of the Rosary. The Rosary has been prayed since at least the 13th century. Its introduction is traditionally attributed to St. Dominic, but there have been discussions of earlier development.

As with any repetition form of prayer, the object of the Rosary is to draw closer to God through meditation. While praying the Rosary, we meditate on Jesus' incarnation, miracles, death and resurrection through the 20 mysteries (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious).

How to Pray the Rosary:

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the Apostles Creed
2. Pray one Our Father
3. Pray one Hail Mary for each of the three beads
4. Pray one Glory Be to the Father between the two beads
5. Announce the First Mystery; then say the Our Father
6. Pray one Hail Mary for each of the ten beads while meditating on the Mystery
7. Pray the Glory Be to the Father
8. Announce the Second Mystery; then say the Our Father
9. Pray one Hail Mary for each of the ten beads while meditating on the Mystery
10. Pray the Glory Be to the Father
11. Announce the Third Mystery and say the Our Father
12. Pray one Hail Mary for each of the ten beads while meditating on the Mystery
13. Pray the Glory Be to the Father
14. Announce the Fourth Mystery and say the Our Father
15. Pray one Hail Mary for each of the ten beads while meditating on the Mystery
16. Pray the Glory Be to the Father
17. Announce the Fifth Mystery and say the Our Father
18. Pray one Hail Mary for each of the ten beads while meditating on the Mystery
19. Pray the Glory Be to the Father
20. Say the Hail Holy Queen

Mysteries:

The Joyful Mysteries (Monday, Thursday & Sunday from Advent to Lent)

1. The Annunciation by the Archangel Gabriel to Our Lady
2. The Visitation of Our Lady to St. Elizabeth
3. The Nativity of Our Lord
4. The presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple
5. The finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

The Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

1. The Baptism of Our Lord in the River Jordan
2. The changing of the water into wine at the wedding in Cana
3. Our Lord's proclamation of the Kingdom of God and His call to conversion.
4. The Transfiguration
5. The Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper

The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday, Friday & Sunday during Lent)

1. The Agony in the Garden
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
3. The Crowning with Thorns
4. The carrying of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion

The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday from Easter to Advent)

1. The Resurrection of Our Lord
2. The Ascension of Our Lord
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
4. The Assumption of Our Lady
5. The Coronation of Our Lady

Prayers:

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Apostle's Creed

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

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

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

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.

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 your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, Oh holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.