a) What is the Holy Rosary?
The Holy Rosary is a traditional way to meditate on the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious mysteries of our salvation, while asking the Blessed Virgin Mary to help us in our needs.
Every Hail Mary is like a rose that we offer to our Mother, telling her how much we love her and that we want to imitate her in loving God. She is Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Help of Christians, Cause of our Joy, Refuge of Sinners, Seat of Wisdom. She obtains from God all that is good for us and for our salvation, even before we ask her.
b) How do we pray the Holy Rosary?
Begin each decade (10 Hail Marys) by mentioning the mystery to be considered (see Appendix for details). Then, pause briefly to contemplate on the mystery and to thank God for our salvation. We can tell God that like Mary, we are always ready to do his will.
An Altar Server can pray the Holy Rosary daily with his family or his friends. He can offer it for the Pope, Bishops, Priests and Religious; his relatives and friends; teachers and public officials; and for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.