Learn How to Pray Rosary in Latin!

Praying the Holy Rosary in Latin: A Guide

Praying the Rosary is a timeless devotion that brings us closer to the mysteries of Christ and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Praying it in Latin, the universal language of the Church, adds a sense of reverence and connection to the Church’s ancient traditions. This article provides a step-by-step guide to praying the Rosary in Latin, with English translations for each prayer.

History of Holy Rosary

The Rosary is a form of prayer and meditation in the Catholic tradition, centered on the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Its origins date back to the early centuries of Christianity, when Christians used prayer ropes or beads to keep track of their prayers. By the 12th century, the practice of reciting 150 Psalms was adapted for the laity, many of whom were unable to read the Psalms. Instead, they recited 150 “Hail Marys,” dividing them into groups of ten (decades) for easier meditation.

The structure of the Rosary as we know it today began to take shape in the 13th century, largely attributed to St. Dominic, the founder of the Dominican Order. According to tradition, St. Dominic received the Rosary in a vision from the Virgin Mary as a tool to combat heresy and promote Christian virtue. While historical evidence suggests the Rosary’s development was more gradual and communal, the Dominicans played a key role in popularizing it.

In the 15th century, Blessed Alan de la Roche, a Dominican priest, formally established the Rosary’s framework and promoted it widely. Around the same time, the division of the Rosary into mysteries—Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious—helped believers meditate on specific events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. These mysteries were officially standardized by Pope Pius V in 1569.

In 2002, Pope John Paul II added the Luminous Mysteries to the Rosary, enriching the meditations by focusing on significant moments in Jesus’ public ministry. Today, the Rosary remains a beloved spiritual practice, uniting Catholics worldwide in prayer and contemplation.

Order of Prayers

1. The Sign of the Cross
2. The Apostles’ Creed
3. The Our Father
4. Three Hail Marys (for faith, hope, and charity)
5. The Glory Be
6. The First Mystery and the Our Father
7. Ten Hail Marys (One Decade)
8. The Glory Be
9. (Optional) The Fatima Prayer
10. Repeat Steps 6–9 for each of the remaining Mysteries (Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Mysteries)
11. The Hail, Holy Queen
12. The Sign of the Cross

Prayers in Latin and English

• Latin: In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen. 
• English: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

• Latin: Credo in Deum, Patrem omnipoténtem, Creatórem cœli et terræ. Et in Jesum Christum, Fílium eius unicum, Dóminum nostrum, qui concéptus est de Spíritu Sancto, natus ex María Virgine, passus sub Póntio Piláto, crucifíxus, mórtuus, et sepúltus; descéndit ad íféros; tértia die resurréxit a mórtuis; ascéndit ad cœlos, sedet ad déxteram Dei Patris omnipoténtis; inde ventúrus est judicáre vivos et mórtuos. Credo in Spíritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclésiam cathólicam, sanctórum communiónem, remissiónem peccatórum, carnis resurrectiónem, vitam ætérnam. Amen. 
• English: 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.

• Latin: Pater noster, qui es in cœlis, sanctificétur nomen tuum; advéniat regnum tuum; fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cœlo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotídianum da nobis hódie; et dimítte nobis débita nostra, sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris; et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem, sed líbera nos a malo. Amen. 
• English: 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.

• Latin: Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum. Benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta María, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatóribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostræ. Amen. 
• English: 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.

• Latin: Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen. 
• English: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

• Latin: Domine Jesu, dimítte nobis peccáta nostra, salva nos ab igníbus inférni, perduc in cælum omnes ánimas, præsertim eas quæ máxime indigent misericórdia tua. Amen. 
• English: 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. Amen.

• Latin: Salve, Regina, Mater misericórdiæ, vita, dulcédo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamámus éxsules filii Hevæ. Ad te suspirámus, geméntes et fléntes in hac lacrimárum valle. Eia ergo, Advocáta nostra, illos tuos misericórdes óculos ad nos convérte. Et Jesum, benedíctum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsílium osténde. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo María.
  
• English: 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 thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

The Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful Mysteries (Mondays and Saturdays)

1. The Annunciation – Annuntiatio
2. The Visitation – Visitatio
3. The Nativity – Nativitas
4. The Presentation – Praesentatio
5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple – Inventio Iesu in Templo

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays)

1. The Agony in the Garden – Agonia in Horto
2. The Scourging at the Pillar – Flagellatio ad Columnam
3. The Crowning with Thorns – Coronatio Spinis
4. The Carrying of the Cross – Baiulatio Crucis
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord – Crucifixio et Mors Domini Nostri

Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays)

1. The Resurrection – Resurrectio
2. The Ascension – Ascensio
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit – Descensus Spiritus Sancti
4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Assumptio Beatae Mariae Virginis
5. The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth – Coronatio Mariae Reginae Caeli et Terrae

Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan – Baptismus Iesu in Iordane
2. The Wedding at Cana – Nuptiae in Cana
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God – Praedicatio Regni Dei
4. The Transfiguration – Transfiguratio
5. The Institution of the Eucharist – Institutio Eucharistiae