Sorrowful Mysteries - Approved Form

Approved Form

The structure of the Catholic rosary devotion is as follows:

• The sign of the cross on the Crucifix and then the Apostles' Creed;
• The Our Father on the first large bead;
• The Hail Mary prayer on each of the three small beads with the following intentions (the theological virtues):
  1. For the increase of faith
  2. For the increase of hope
  3. For the increase of charity
• The Glory Be to the Father prayer;
• Announce the mystery
• The "Our Father" on the large bead
• The "Hail Mary" on each of the adjacent ten small beads;
• The "Glory Be to the Father";
• (The Fatima Prayer is commonly added here, as a pious addition: "O My Jesus, Forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven. Especially those most in need of thy mercy.")
• Announce the next mystery, again the Our Father on the next large bead, followed by ten Hail Marys on the small beads, the Glory Be to the Father, (and the Fatima Prayer, cf. below) for each of the following decades;
• In conclusion, the Hail Holy Queen prayer and the sign of the cross.