While the Rosary is best known as a popular Catholic devotional, many forget that the prayers of the Rosary are taken directly from the Bible.
Hail Mary
The principal prayer of the Rosary is the “Hail Mary,” a quotation from the Gospel of Luke.
- “Hail [Mary], full of grace, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28)
- “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42)
The last part of the prayer, “Holy Mary …,” is not in the Bible, but is a basic intercessory prayer to the Virgin Mary.
Our Father
In between the decades of the Rosary is the “Our Father,” a prayer from Jesus himself.
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 debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors;
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13)
Glory Be
The “Glory Be” is another prayer recited between the decades of the Rosary, and is from various parts of the Bible.
It is based on passages from St. Paul’s letters, where he gave glory to God.
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:20
