Prayers to Mary

The Rosary

It would be a good idea, during May, for families to say the Rosary together. Prayer strengthens family life.

—Pope Francis

The rosary consists of twenty decades. Each decade focuses upon a particular mystery in the life of Christ, Mary, and the Church. It is customary to say five decades at a time, while meditating upon one set of mysteries.

Begin the Rosary with the Apostles' Creed followed by the Our Father, three Hail Marys and the Glory Be. Then enter into the first Mystery. With each decade, begin on the large bead with the Our Father. Pray ten Hail Marys. End with the Glory Be. Pause for a moment before going on to the next decade.

As you pray each decade, meditate at the back of your mind on these Mysteries and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to deeper insights into your faith.

Joyful Mysteries

  • The Annunciation
  • The Visitation
  • The Birth of our Lord
  • The Presentation of our Lord
  • The Finding of our Lord in the Temple

Sorrowful Mysteries

  • The Agony in the Garden
  • The Scourging at the Pillar
  • The Crowning with Thorns
  • The Carrying of the Cross
  • The Crucifixion and Death of our Lord

The Luminous Mysteries

  • The Baptism in the Jordan
  • The Wedding at Cana
  • The Proclamation of the Kingdom
  • The Transfiguration
  • The Institution of the Eucharist

Glorious Mysteries

  • The Resurrection
  • The Ascension
  • The Descent of the Holy Spirit
  • The Assumption of our Blessed Mother into Heaven
  • The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

Other Prayers

Hail Mary

For Catholics, praying with Mary has long been part of our tradition and every child should know this prayer by heart! Of course, all devotion to Mary leads ultimately to the Lord, but she is our model and guide.

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.

Memorare

And likewise this traditional prayer.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, we turn to thee, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother. To thee we come, before thee we stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, do not despise our petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer us. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen

This lovely traditional Catholic prayer offers Mary a special place in our hearts. It's presented here in its traditional form.

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our light, 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 vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy towards us and after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

The Angelus

Traditionally prayed at the noon hour, this prayer can be recited in common individually. It is presented here in it's original verse form.

The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. (Hail Mary...)

Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R. Be it done unto me according to thy word. (Hail Mary...)

And the Word was made flesh.

R. And dwelt among us. (Hail Mary...)

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts; that, we to whom the incarnation of Christ, thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by his passion and cross, be brought to the glory of his resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.