A Quick Guide to Praying the Rosary in Latin
Published November 9, 2020
The rosary is one of the most important prayers for Catholics. In fact, the rosary bead is one of the most distinguishing symbols of Catholicism. And praying the rosary in Latin, the language of the church, makes it all the more special.
The term “rosary” itself refers not just to the string of beads but also to the sequence of prayers recited using those beads. Though it’s widely regarded as a symbol of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the rosary is so much more.
When recited as a whole, the rosary tells the story of our faith. The mysteries tell us about Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. While the prayers, most of which were taken from the bible, confirm not just our devotion to the Blessed Virgin. It also affirms our belief in the religion which Christ himself founded.
Knowing how to pray the rosary is essential for every Catholic and most of us first learned to recite it in our native tongue. So if you’re reading this, then you must already know how to pray the rosary in your own language. If not, we recommend you to start with it first. Doing so will help you better appreciate and learn the prayers by heart rather than just memorizing them.
Why Pray the Rosary in Latin?
Since St. Jerome translated the bible into Latin in the fourth century, it has become the sacred language of the church. From there, all of the church’s teachings and liturgies were written in Latin.
Vatican II reinforced this by mandating the retention of certain Latin prayers in liturgies. The language has also been consecrated through constant use by the Apostolic See. All these give the language its sacred status. This, in turn, gives prayers and devotions recited in Latin a greater sense of sanctity.
Rosary Prayers in Latin
Signum Crucis
(Sign of the Cross)
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Symbolum Apostolorum
(Apostle’s Creed)
Crédo in Déum, Pátrem omnipoténtem, Creatórem cáeli et térræ. Et in Jésum Chrístum, Fílium éjus unícum, Dóminum nóstrum, qui concéptus est de Spíritu Sáncto, nátus ex María Vírgine, pássus sub Póntio Piláto, crucifíxus, mórtuus, et sepúltus. Descéndit ad ínferos: tértia díe resurréxit a mórtuis: ascéndit ad cáelos: sédet ad déxteram Déi Pátris omnipoténtis: índe ventúrus est judicáre vívos et mórtuos.
Crédo in Spíritum Sánctum, sánctam Ecclésiam Cathólicam, Sanctórum communiónem, remissiónem peccatórum, cárnis resurrectiónem, vítam ætérnam. Amen.
Oratio Dominica
(The Lord’s Prayer)
Pánem nóstrum quotidiánum da nóbis hódie, et dimítte nóbis débita nóstra, sícut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nóstris. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem: sed líbera nos a málo. Amen.
Ave Maria
(Hail Mary)
Áve María, grátia pléna, Dóminus técum; benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus frúctus véntris túi, Jésus.
Sáncta María, Máter Déi, óra pro nóbis peccatóribus, nunc et in hóra mórtis nóstræ. Amen.
Gloria
(Glory Be)
Glória Pátri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sáncto. Sícut érat in princípio et nunc et sémper et in sáecula sæculórum. Amen.
Oratio Fatima
(Fatima Prayer)
O Jésu mi, ignósce nóbis, libera nos ab ígne inférni, ad caélum tráhe ómnes ánimas, praesáertim máxime indigéntes.
Salve Regina
(Hail Holy Queen)
Sálve Regína, máter misericórdiæ: víta, dulcédo, et spes nóstra, sálve. Ad te clamámus, exsúles fílii Hévæ. Ad te suspirámus, geméntes et fléntes in hac lacrimárum válle. Éja érgo, Advocáta nóstra, íllos túos misericórdes óculos ad nos convérte. Et Jésum, benedíctum frúctum véntris túi, nóbis post hoc exsílium osténde. O clémens, O pía, O dúlcis Vírgo María,
- Óra pro nóbis sáncta Déi Génitrix
- Ut dígni efficiámur promissiónibus Chrísti.
Oremus
(Let us Pray)
Déus, cújus Unigénitus per vítam, mórtem et resurrectiónem súam nóbis salútis ætérnæ præmia comparávit: concéde, quæsumus: ut hæc mystéria sacratíssimo beátæ Maríæ Vírginis Rosário recoléntes, et imitémur quod cóntinent, et quod promíttunt, assequámur. Per eúndem Chrístum Dóminum nóstrum. Amen.
Mysteries of the Rosary in Latin
Mysteria Gaudiosa
(Joyful Mysteries)
- Prímum mystérium gaudiósum: Annuntiatio (The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation)
- Secundum Mysterium Gaudiosum: Visitatio (The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation)
- Tertium Mysterium Gaudiosum: Nativitas (The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity)
- Quartum Mysterium Gaudiosum: Presentatio (The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation)
- Quintum Mysterium Gaudiosum: Inventiónem Dómini nostri Iesu Christi in templo (The Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple)
Mysteria Dolorosa
(Sorrowful Mysteries)
- Prímum mystérium dolorósum: Cruciatus in Horto (The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden)
- Secúndum mystérium dolorósum: Flagellatiónem Dómini nostri Iesu Christi (The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar)
- Tertium mystérium dolorósum: Coronatio cum Spinis (The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns)
- Quartum mystérium dolorósum: Bajulatiónem Crucis (The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns)
- Quintum mystérium dolorósum: Crucifixio (The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion)
Mysteria Gloriosa
(Glorious Mysteries)
- Prímum mystérium gloriósum: Resurrectio (The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection)
- Secúndum mystérium gloriósum: Ascensio (The Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension)
- Tértium mystérium gloriósum: Descensus Spiritus Sancti (The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit)
- Quartum mystérium gloriósum: Assumptiónem Beátæ Maríæ Vírginis in cáelum (The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven)
- Quintum mystérium gloriósum: Coronatiónem Beátæ Maríæ Vírginis in cáelum (The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Mysteria Luminosa
(Luminous Mysteries)
- Primum mysterium luminosum: Baptismus Iesu (The First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of Jesus)
- Secúndum mystérium luminosum: Miraculum ad nuptias in Cana (The Second Luminous Mystery: The Miracle at the Wedding in Cana)
- Tértium mystérium luminosum: Et Proclamatio Regni Dei (The Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God)
- Quartum mystérium luminusom: Transfiguratum (The Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration)
- Quintum mystérium luminosum: Ultima cena (The Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Last Supper)
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About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional writer for the Lay Cistercians blog and a devoted Catholic. She works hard to ensure her work uses accurate facts by cross checking reputable sources.
