The Rosary helps us to pray to Jesus through Mary. When we pray the Rosary, we think about the special events, or mysteries in the lives of Jesus and Mary.

The Rosary is made up of a string of beads and a crucifix. We hold the crucifix in our hands as we pray the Sign of the Cross. Then we pray the Apostles' Creed.

Between the crucifix and the medal of Mary, there is a single bead, followed by a set of three beads and another single bead. We pray the Lord's Prayer as we hold the first single bead and a Hail Mary on each bead in the set of three that follows. Then we pray Glory Be to the Father. On the next single bead we think about the first mystery and pray the Lord's Prayer.

There are five sets of ten beads; each set is called a decade. We pray a Hail Mary on each bead of a decade as we reflect on a particular mystery in the lives of Jesus and Mary. The Glory Be to the Father is prayed at the end of each set. Between sets is a single bead on which we think about one of the mysteries and pray the Lord's Prayer.

We end by holding the crucifix in our hands as we pray the Sign of the Cross.

Celebrating Mary in the Liturgical Year

Throughout the Church year, special days are set aside to honour saints and key moments in the life of Jesus and Mary. These days are called Feasts, Solemnities, and Memorials, and they help us reflect on important parts of our Catholic faith.

When it comes to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Church celebrates her in different ways:

• Solemnities focus on important Church teachings about Mary, like:

  • Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

• Feast days also remember moments when Mary appeared to others, such as:

  • Our Lady of Lourdes

• Some days are based on events in the Bible, like:

  • The Annunciation and The Visitation

We also honour Mary during specific months:

• May is known as the Month of Mary – we show special love and devotion to her through prayer, flowers, and celebrations like the Crowning of Mary.

• October is the Month of the Rosary – when we reflect on the life of Jesus through Mary’s eyes, praying the Rosary.