In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I believe in God, the Father almighty... [Apostles' Creed in full] Our Father, who art in heaven... [Lord's Prayer in full] Hail Mary, full of grace... [Three Hail Marys, for faith, hope, and charity] Glory be to the Father... [Glory Be in full] [State the mystery and intention for the first decade, then begin the decades.]
CATHOLIC 15TH-16TH CENTURY AD
The Rosary Opening Prayers
Also known as How to Begin the Rosary ยท Opening Prayers of the Rosary
About this prayer
The Rosary is a Catholic devotion structured around the recitation of prayers while meditating on scenes from the lives of Jesus and Mary, called the Mysteries. The opening sequence of prayers establishes the devotional framework before the decades begin. It opens with the Apostles' Creed, followed by one Our Father, three Hail Marys (traditionally offered for an increase of faith, hope, and charity), and one Glory Be. A brief intention is stated before each decade. The Rosary in its current form developed gradually between the 13th and 16th centuries, with Dominican tradition playing a significant role in its spread. Pope Pius V standardized it in 1569 AD. Pope John Paul II added the Luminous Mysteries in 2002 AD, expanding the traditional fifteen mysteries to twenty.
When it's said
The opening prayers are said at the beginning of each full Rosary. The Rosary is traditionally said daily by devout Catholics, in families, in parish groups, and in private devotion. October is designated as the Month of the Rosary in the Catholic Church. The Rosary is also said at wakes and funerals in many Catholic communities, where the five decades are prayed in a single session.
Notes on the text
The full Rosary consists of twenty decades divided into four sets of five Mysteries: the Joyful, the Luminous (added 2002 AD), the Sorrowful, and the Glorious. Each decade consists of one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and one Glory Be, followed by the Fatima Prayer in many traditions. The opening prayers given here are the standard form. Individual prayers referenced (Apostles' Creed, Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, Glory Be) are found on their own pages on this site.
Source
Traditional Catholic devotion, standardized form by Pope Pius V, 1569 AD. Text from F.X. Lasance, The Blessed Sacrament Book, 1913. Public domain.
Last reviewed: May 2026 against primary source.