Summary
The Ultimate Catholic Prayer Guide
The Ultimate Catholic Prayer Guide: The Complete Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet
The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer that allows the faithful to meditate on the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of Mary. Using the same set of beads, one can also pray the powerful Chaplet of Divine Mercy, a devotion focused on God’s inexhaustible compassion. This comprehensive guide provides the full text and steps for both devotions, optimized for your daily spiritual practice.
1. Foundation Prayers of the Rosary
The Rosary begins with these essential prayers, which affirm our faith and invite divine grace.
The Sign of the Cross
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”.
The 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”.
The Our Father (The Lord’s Prayer)
“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”.
The Hail Mary
“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen”.
The Glory Be
“Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen”.
2. Special Decade Prayers
Between each decade of the Rosary, the following prayers are recited to deepen the meditation.
The Fatima Prayer
“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy”.
3. Concluding Rosary Prayers
The devotion ends with these powerful pleas for intercession and reflection on the mysteries.
Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina)
“Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you 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”.
The Rosary Concluding Prayer
“O God, whose Only Begotten Son, by His life, Death, and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen”.
4. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Using ordinary Rosary beads, the Chaplet is a shorter but deeply significant devotion received by St. Faustina.
The Opening Prayer
“Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world”.
On the Ten Beads of Each Decade
“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world”.
The Final Doxology (Repeat 3 times)
“Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world”.
5. The Mysteries of the Rosary: Weekly Schedule
The Church traditionally prays specific mysteries on designated days to reflect on the entire Gospel cycle.
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Monday & Saturday: The Joyful Mysteries (Birth and early life of Jesus).
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Tuesday & Friday: The Sorrowful Mysteries (Passion and death of Jesus).
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Wednesday & Sunday: The Glorious Mysteries (Resurrection and triumphs of Heaven).
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Thursday: The Luminous Mysteries (Public ministry and miracles of Jesus).
