A Simple Guide to the Rosary: An Old-Catholic Approach

Written By JUSTIN HURTADO-PALOMO

The steps to praying the Rosary are:

In the Old-Catholic tradition, the Rosary is a cherished, voluntary devotion. It is not an institutional obligation, but a scriptural tool for contemplative prayer. As you hold the beads, remember its core purpose:

"The purpose of the Rosary is to keep alive in our hearts and minds the principal events in the history of our salvation—anchoring our daily lives in the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

1. The Opening Prayers (The Root)

  • The Cross: Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles’ Creed.

    • This connects us instantly to the ecumenical faith of the ancient, undivided Church.

  • First Large Bead: Pray the Our Father (The Lord's Prayer, given to us by Christ Himself).

  • Three Small Beads: Pray three Hail Marys.

    • Intent: We ask for an increase in the three theological virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity.

  • The Chain: Pray the Glory Be (A timeless Trinitarian doxology).

2. The Decades (The Gospel Meditations)

A Rosary consists of five sections called "decades." For each decade, you will move along the loop of beads:

  • The Large Bead: Announce the Mystery of salvation you are focusing on (e.g., The Annunciation, The Crucifixion, The Resurrection), then pray the Our Father.

  • Ten Small Beads: Pray ten Hail Marys while keeping your mind resting deeply on that specific event in the life of Jesus.

    • The vocal prayers form a rhythmic background, like gentle breathing, allowing your mind to contemplate the Gospel milestone.

  • The Chain: Pray the Glory Be.

    • Pastoral Note on the Fatima Prayer ("O My Jesus"): Because this prayer stems from a 20th-century Roman Catholic private revelation, it is not part of historical Old-Catholic liturgy. In our tradition of liberty of conscience, you may include it out of personal piety, but it is traditionally omitted to keep the focus strictly scriptural.

3. Repeating the Cycle

Repeat the decade steps (Announce Mystery → Our Father → 10 Hail Marys → Glory Be) for all five mysteries chosen for your prayer session.

4. The Closing Prayers (The Sanctuary)

Once you return to the center medal, conclude your prayer with a spirit of gratitude:

  • The Centerpiece: Pray the Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina) or the scriptural Magnificat (The Song of Mary from Luke 1, celebrating God’s justice and mercy).

  • The Final Prayer: Pray a Christocentric closing prayer:

    • "O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen."

  • The Cross: Conclude by making the Sign of the Cross.

JUSTIN HURTADO-PALOMO