Praying the rosary is a spiritual practice in the Catholic tradition, but it is also used in other Christian traditions. It is a form of contemplative prayer that involves repetitive recitations, meditative reflection on specific events or “mysteries” in the life of Jesus and Mary his mother, and a physical interaction with a set of beads.

It is not idol worship of Our Lady but a way of mediating on the life of Jesus.

[She is the] highest woman and the noblest gem in Christianity after Christ . . . She is nobility, wisdom, and holiness personified. We can never honor her enough. Still honor and praise must be given to her in such a way as to injure neither Christ nor the Scriptures.
(Sermon, Christmas, 1531) Martin Luther

One should honor Mary as she herself wished and as she expressed it in the Magnificat. She praised God for his deeds. How then can we praise her? The true honor of Mary is the honor of God, the praise of God’s grace . . . Mary is nothing for the sake of herself, but for the sake of Christ . . . Mary does not wish that we come to her, but through her to God.
(Explanation of the Magnificat, 1521) Martin Luther

Here is a basic outline of the steps involved in praying the rosary:

• Make the Sign of the Cross: This is usually accompanied by the “Apostles’ Creed,” a statement of faith.
• Recite the “Our Father” Prayer: The first bead after the cross on the rosary is used to say the “Our Father” (also known as “The Lord’s Prayer”).
• Say Three “Hail Mary” Prayers: The next three beads are for the “Hail Mary,” a prayer to the Virgin Mary. These are usually said to produce an increase in the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.
• Say the “Glory Be” Prayer: After the three “Hail Mary” prayers, the “Glory Be” prayer is said.
• Announce the First Mystery and Reflect on It: After the initial prayers, the five “decades” of the rosary begin. Each decade corresponds to a mystery – an event in the lives of Jesus and Mary. Before each decade, you announce the mystery, take a moment to reflect upon it, and then say the “Our Father.”
• Pray Ten “Hail Marys”: After the “Our Father,” you say ten “Hail Marys” while meditating on the mystery. Each “Hail Mary” corresponds to a bead on the rosary.
• Say the “Glory Be” and the “Fatima Prayer”: After the ten “Hail Marys,” you say the “Glory Be” and the “Fatima Prayer” (O My Jesus).
• Repeat Steps 5-7 for the Remaining Four Mysteries: After the first decade is completed, the next mystery is announced, followed by an “Our Father,” ten “Hail Marys,” and the “Glory Be” and “Fatima Prayer.”
• Conclude with the “Hail Holy Queen” Prayer: After saying all five decades and mysteries, the prayer is concluded with the “Hail Holy Queen” (Salve Regina) prayer and a final prayer for the intentions of the Pope. The rosary is concluded by making the Sign of the Cross.

Remember that the rosary is more than the mere repetition of prayers. The primary focus is meditative – it is about immersing oneself in the mysteries and reflecting on their significance in one’s life and in Jesus’s life.

 The physical act of moving the beads in this meditation aids in keeping track of the prayers.

The mysteries of the rosary are divided into four sets: the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Glorious Mysteries, and the Luminous Mysteries. They each correspond to different days of the week, allowing for a different focus in prayer about Jesus and his journey from birth to death.

Why do people pray a Rosary?

Here are common motivations:

Meditation: The rosary is designed to facilitate meditation on key events, known as “mysteries,” in the lives of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Through this meditation, individuals can deepen their understanding of these events and their implications for the Christian faith.

Intercession: Many people pray the rosary to ask Mary, the Mother of Jesus, for her intercession. In Catholic belief, Mary holds a special place and is seen as an important intercessor with her son, Jesus.

Spiritual Benefits: The rosary is believed to bring spiritual benefits, such as peace, grace, and protection against evil.

Repentance and Penance: Praying the rosary can be a form of penance (an act showing repentance for sin). It is often recommended in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Tradition: The rosary has been a significant part of            Catholic tradition for centuries. People pray the rosary as a way of participating in this tradition.

Solidarity: Praying the rosary can be a way of expressing solidarity with other Catholics around the world and across time who also pray the rosary.

Personal Comfort and Consolation: Many individuals find comfort, consolation, and inner peace from praying the rosary, particularly during challenging times.

Does “Our Lady, The Virgin Mary,” exist?

Here is a list of forty-six apparitions. You decide for yourself.

Marian apparitions are supernatural appearances of the Virgin Mary and have appeared for centuries around the world. It is important to note that beliefs surrounding these apparitions vary widely among different religious groups.

 The Catholic Church plays a significant role in investigating and confirming the authenticity of such events. Here are Forty-six well-known reported Marian apparitions from around the world:

•      Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico, 1531): The Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an Indigenous peasant, on the Hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City. Her image appeared on Juan Diego’s cloak (tilma).
•       Our Lady of Lourdes (France, 1858): Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a young girl, reported multiple apparitions of the Virgin Mary in a grotto near Lourdes. The site has become a major pilgrimage destination known for its healing waters.
•         Our Lady of Fatima (Portugal, 1917): Three shepherd children, Lucia Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, claimed to have witnessed several apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the Cova da Iria. The apparitions included prophecies and the “Miracle of the Sun.”
•         Our Lady of Medjugorje (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1981-present): Six children initially reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the town of Medjugorje. The reported apparitions continue to this day, but the Church has yet to make an official declaration regarding their authenticity.
•        Our Lady of Akita (Japan, 1973-1981): Sister Agnes Sasagawa, a Japanese religious sister, reported multiple apparitions of the Virgin Mary in a convent in Akita. The apparitions were accompanied by messages and a miraculous event involving a wooden statue.
•        Our Lady of Zeitoun (Egypt, 1968-1971): Numerous people reported sightings of a luminous figure believed to be the Virgin Mary on the roof of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Zeitoun, a suburb of Cairo.

•         Our Lady of Knock (Ireland, 1879): Fifteen people witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary, along with Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist, on the gable wall of the Parish Church in Knock, County Mayo.
•         Our Lady of La Salette (France, 1846): Two shepherd children, Maximin Giraud and Mélanie Calvat, claimed to have seen a weeping Virgin Mary on the mountain of La Salette. The apparition conveyed a message of penance and conversion.
•          Our Lady of Kibeho (Rwanda, 1981-1989): Several schoolchildren reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the village of Kibeho. The apparitions included messages about repentance and warnings of the Rwandan genocide, which occurred in 1994.
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel (England, 1251): The Carmelite tradition holds that the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock, an English Carmelite friar, and gave him the Brown Scapular, a popular devotional item associated with her protection.
• Our Lady of Siluva (Lithuania, 1608): A vision of the Virgin Mary appeared to a group of children in the town of Siluva, encouraging them to pray and rebuild a destroyed church. This event is highly venerated in Lithuania.
• Our Lady of Banneux (Belgium, 1933): Mariette Beco, a young girl, reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the town of Banneux. The apparitions included messages of prayer, penance, and concern for the sick.
• Our Lady of Einsiedeln (Switzerland, 948): According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Meinrad, a hermit, at the site of the Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland. The Abbey has since become a major pilgrimage site.
• Our Lady of Beauraing (Belgium, 1932-1933): Five children claimed to have seen apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the small town of Beauraing. The apparitions conveyed messages of prayer, penance, and the conversion of sinners.
• Our Lady of Betania (Venezuela, 1976-1990): Maria Esperanza Medrano de Bianchini reported numerous apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the town of Betania. The apparitions were accompanied by messages of faith, unity, and prayer.
• Our Lady of Zeitoun (Egypt, 1968-1971): Numerous people reported sightings of a luminous figure believed to be the Virgin Mary on the roof of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Zeitoun, a suburb of Cairo.
• Our Lady of Itapiranga (Brazil, 1994-present): According to the visions reported by Edson Glauber, a young man, and his mother, the Virgin Mary appeared in Itapiranga. The apparitions conveyed messages of love, conversion, and the importance of prayer.
• Our Lady of Good Help (United States, 1859): Adele Brise, a young Belgian immigrant, reported an apparition of the Virgin Mary in Champion, Wisconsin. The apparition urged catechesis and prayer, and the site of the apparition, has been recognized by the Catholic Church.
• Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolás (Argentina, 1983-1990): Gladys Quiroga de Motta reported multiple apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the city of San Nicolás. The apparitions conveyed messages of peace, conversion, and reconciliation.
• Our Lady of the Pillar (Spain, 40 AD): According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to the Apostle James the Greater in Zaragoza, Spain. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar stands at the site and is one of the most revered Marian shrines.
• Our Lady of Altötting (Germany, 1489): The Chapel of Grace in Altötting is a renowned pilgrimage site where a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, known as the Black Madonna, is venerated. According to legend, the statue was found by a young boy who had a vision of the Virgin Mary.
• Our Lady of the Rosary of San Damiano (Italy, 1842): The Virgin Mary appeared to two children, Fortunato Angelini and Felice Caturegli, in the small village of San Damiano. The apparitions emphasized the power of the Rosary and the importance of conversion.
• Our Lady of Peace (Côte d’Ivoire, 1989): The Virgin Mary is said to have appeared multiple times to a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous (different from the Saint Bernadette of Lourdes) in the town of Yamoussoukro. The apparitions emphasized prayer, reconciliation, and peace.
• Our Lady of the Poor (Belgium, 1933): Mariette Beco, a young girl, reported several apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the village of Banneux. The apparitions conveyed messages of prayer, penance, and concern for the sick and the poor.
• Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (France, 1830): Saint Catherine Labouré, a novice in the Daughters of Charity, claimed to have received apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Paris. The Virgin Mary instructed her to create the Miraculous Medal, which became a popular devotional item.
• Our Lady of the Valley (France, 1871): A young girl named Eugénie experienced apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the village of La Salette-Fallavaux. The apparitions conveyed messages of reconciliation, penance, and prayer.
• Our Lady of the Snows (Italy, 352): According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to Pope Liberius and a wealthy Roman couple, indicating that a miraculous snowfall would mark the spot where a church should be built. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome was subsequently constructed at the site.
• Our Lady of Cuapa (Nicaragua, 1980-1981): A local farmer, Bernardo Martinez, reported a series of apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the village of Cuapa. The apparitions conveyed messages of prayer, repentance, and a call to live the Gospel.
• Our Lady of Laus (France, 1664-1718): Benoîte Rencurel, a shepherdess, claimed to have experienced multiple apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Laus. The apparitions focused on the conversion of sinners and the sacrament of reconciliation.
• Our Lady of the Poor, Mother of Mercy (Netherlands, 1945-1959): Ida Peerdeman, a Dutch woman, reported numerous apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Amsterdam. The apparitions were accompanied by messages promoting prayer, sacrifice, and unity among Christians.
• Our Lady of Soufanieh (Syria, 1982-present): Myrna Nazzour, a Syrian Christian, and her family reported ongoing apparitions of the Virgin Mary in their home in Damascus. The apparitions included messages of peace, unity, and prayer.
• Our Lady of Knock (Rwanda, 1981): The Virgin Mary appeared to several young girls in the town of Kibeho, Rwanda, during a time of political turmoil. The apparitions included messages of repentance, prayer, and a warning of future suffering.
• Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of San Nicolas (Philippines, 1983-1992): A woman named Elsa Lopesa claimed to receive apparitions of the Virgin Mary in San Nicolas, Pangasinan. The apparitions conveyed messages of prayer, penance, and the importance of the Rosary.
• Our Lady of the Divine Mercy (Rwanda, 1982): The Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Marie-Claire Mukangango, a young girl in Kibeho, Rwanda. The apparitions emphasized the importance of prayer, repentance, and the message of God’s mercy.
• Our Lady of Bechouat (Lebanon, 1984): A woman named Myrna Nazzour reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the village of Bechouat. The apparitions included messages of peace, conversion, and the importance of the sacraments.
• Our Lady of All Nations (Netherlands, 1945-1959): Ida Peerdeman, a Dutch woman, reported numerous apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Amsterdam. The apparitions conveyed messages about the role of Mary as the Co-Redemptrix, Advocate, and Mediatrix.
• Our Lady of the Rosary of San Damiano (Argentina, 1980): Gladys Quiroga de Motta, a homemaker, claimed to have experienced apparitions of the Virgin Mary in San Damiano, Buenos Aires. The apparitions conveyed messages of prayer, conversion, and peace.
• Our Lady of Civitavecchia (Italy, 1995): A woman named Rosa Quattrini reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the town of Civitavecchia. The apparitions were accompanied by tears shed by a statue of the Virgin Mary, leading to widespread attention and devotion.
• Our Lady of Soufanieh (Syria, 1982-present): Myrna Nazzour, a Syrian Christian, and her family reported ongoing apparitions of the Virgin Mary in their home in Damascus. The apparitions included messages of peace, unity, and prayer.
• Our Lady of Las Lajas (Colombia, 1754): According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared on a rock formation in the village of Las Lajas, near the border of Colombia and Ecuador. The site is now a pilgrimage destination and is known for its striking natural beauty.
• Our Lady of Itapiranga (Brazil, 1994-present): According to the visions reported by Edson Glauber, a young man, and his mother, the Virgin Mary appeared in Itapiranga. The apparitions conveyed messages of love, conversion, and the importance of prayer.
• Our Lady of Assiut (Egypt, 2000 BC – 2017): The area of Assiut in Egypt has been associated with various reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary throughout history. The most notable modern apparitions took place in the mid-20th century, and messages of peace and prayer were said to be conveyed.
• Our Lady of Lipa (Philippines, 1948): A series of apparitions and supernatural phenomena were reported by Teresita Castillo, a Carmelite postulant, in the city of Lipa. The apparitions included messages of prayer, penance, and warnings about the future.
• Our Lady of Kibeho (Rwanda, 1981-1989): Several schoolgirls reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the town of Kibeho, Rwanda. The apparitions included messages of prayer, repentance, and a warning about the impending Rwandan genocide.
• Our Lady of Marija Bistrica (Croatia, 1588): A wooden statue of the Virgin Mary is venerated in the Basilica of Marija Bistrica, where it is believed to have miraculously survived a fire. The statue has been associated with reports of miracles and answered prayers.
• Our Lady of the Rocks (Montenegro, 1452): According to legend, two fishermen found an icon of the Virgin Mary on a rock in the Bay of Kotor. This event led to the construction of a church, and the site has become a popular pilgrimage destination.

To this day that are ongoing reports of Marian apparitions from various parts of the world. Remember that the Catholic Church investigates and evaluates these events before making official pronouncements regarding their authenticity.