Learn how to pray the Rosary in Latin with Pope Benedict XVI 

First, why do Catholics pray to Mary, especially the rosary? 

Jesus said: I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6 

This passage keeps many people on the back foot when it comes to devotion to Mary, especially people from other “evangelical” religions who see the custom as idolatry, but it is precisely this passage that is the strongest reason that leads us to the rosary and becomes the main point of all devotion. 

JESUS is the center and main theme of rosary meditation. Each mystery contains a part of his life, passion, and resurrection. By reciting the rosary, we remember and meditate on JESUS’ journey. 

If repeating the same invocation so many times becomes boring for you, perhaps you’re not doing it right. Remember to meditate on the mystery of Jesus while reciting the Hail Maries and not to think about tomorrow’s lunch. 

“IT IS MARY WHO BRINGS JESUS, AND JESUS BRINGS US TO THE FATHER. SHE IS SIMPLY THE PERSON WHO FACILITATES ACCESS TO GOD” (SAINT JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA) 

But what do you mean Mary was crowned Queen of Heaven? 

If that bothers you, this question has already been answered very well by Father Paulo Ricardo here. If not, we can move on to the rosary in Latin. 

Why pray in Latin? 

You won’t have a quicker effect if you pray in Latin, perhaps it’s even the opposite, you may be able to put more feeling into your prayer if it’s said in your native language, but there are benefits. 

1º The very cultural knowledge of a different language is enough to give it a try – not just Latin, but you can try reciting the rosary in other languages, because it’s an act of repetition, it won’t take long to be able to do it perfectly (just don’t lose focus of the rosary and don’t forget that it’s a devotional practice to be done out of love for God, not a simple language course); 

2º Remember that Latin is the official language of the Catholic Church, so knowing at least the basic prayers in Latin is essential for a practicing Catholic. Why is that? 

• 2.1 International Masses – When you want to attend the Pope’s Mass, which is usually broadcast live on the Vatican’s YouTube page or take part in a Church event involving other countries, the Mass will be said in Latin, with the exception of the Bible readings and the homily. The ideal is to know the entire rite in Latin, but let’s start with the basics and learn the main prayers. 
• 2.2 Tridentine Masses – are becoming increasingly popular, especially among the faithful who can no longer stand to see liturgical abuses in their parishes and consider the extraordinary rite to be more respectful. 

Did you Like the language? Check on our tips for learning Latin on your own. 

Let’s go to the Rosary 

In 2008, the Vatican released a collection of CDs with the prayer of the mysteries of the rosary led by Pope Benedict XVI, which is now available on the internet for anyone who wants to learn and follow along. 

See the transcribed mysteries below to practice with the videos. 

You can also download mp3 audios to take with you wherever you go 

Or go directly to the YouTube Playlist by clicking here. 

ROSARIUM BEATAE MARIAE VIRGINIS

Introductio

V. Deus in adiutórium meum inténde

R. Dómine, ad adiuvándum me festina

Gloria Patri

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spirítui Sancto.

Ave Maria

Ave Maria, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum;

Benedícta tu in mulieribus,

Et bendíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.

Sancta María, Mater Dei,

Ora pro nobis peccatóribus,

Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen

Pater Noster

Pater noster, qui es in caelis: sanctificétur nomen tuum;

Advéniat regnum tuum; fiat volúntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra.

Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie;

Et dimítte nobis débita nostra, sicut et nos dimíttumus debitóribus nostris;

Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem, sed líbera nos a malo.

MYSTERIA GAUDII (The Joyful Mysteries)

1. Primum mysterium: Angelus Dómini nuntiávit Mariae
2. Secundum mysterium: María Elísabeth vísitat
3. Tertium mysterium: Iesus in Béthleem náscitur
4. Quartum mysterium: Puer Iesus in templo praesentátur
5. Quintum mysterium: Puer Iesus in templo invenítur

MYSTERIA LUCIS (The Luminous Mysteries)

1. Primum mysterium: Iesus in Iordáne baptizátur
2. Secundum mysterium: Iesus apud Canénse Matrimónium se autorevélat
3. Tertium mysterium: Iesus regnum Dei proclámat et ad conversiónem invítat
4. Quartum mysterium: Iesus in monte transfigurátur
5. Quintum mysterium: Iesus Eucharístiam instítuir

MYSTERIA DOLORIS (The Sorrowful Mysteries)

1. Primum mysterium: Iesus in horto Gethsémani orat
2. Secundum mysterium: Iesus flagéllis caeditur
3. Tertium mysterium: Iesus spinis coronátur
4. Quartum mysterium: Iesus cruce oneratus Cálvarie locum adit
5. Quintum mysterium: Iesus in cruce móritur

MYSTERIA GLORIAE (The Glorious Mysteries)

1. Primum mysterium: Iesus a mórtuis resúrgit
2. Secundum mysterium: Iesus caelos ad Patris glóriam ascéndit
3. Tertium mysterium: Spíritus Paráclitus supra discípulos descéndit
4. Quartum mysterium: Maria Virgo in caelum assúmpta est
5. Quintum mysterium: Maria Virgo in caelum regína coronátur

Salve, Regína,

Mater misericórdiæ, vita, dulcédo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamámus, éxsules fílii Hevæ, Ad te suspirámus, geméntes et flentes, in hac lacrimárum valle. Eia, ergo, advocáta nostra, illos tuos misericórdes óculos ad nos convérte. Et Iesum, benedíctum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exílium osténde. O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.

LITANIAE LAURETANAE (Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Latin)

Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Christe, audi nos. Christe, exaudi nos.

Pater de caelis, Deus, miserere nobis. Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, miserere nobis. Spiritus Sancte, Deus, miserere nobis. Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, miserere nobis.

Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis. Sancta Dei Genetrix, ora pro nobis. Sancta Virgo virginum, ora pro nobis.

Mater Christi, ora pro nobis. Mater Ecclesiae, ora pro nobis. Mater divinae gratiae, ora pro nobis. Mater purissima, ora pro nobis. Mater castissima, ora pro nobis. Mater inviolata, ora pro nobis.

Mater intemerata, ora pro nobis. Mater amabilis, ora pro nobis. Mater admirabilis, ora pro nobis. Mater boni consilii, ora pro nobis. Mater Creatoris, ora pro nobis. Mater Salvatoris, ora pro nobis.

Virgo prudentissima, ora pro nobis. Virgo veneranda, ora pro nobis. Virgo praedicanda, ora pro nobis. Virgo potens, ora pro nobis. Virgo clemens, ora pro nobis. Virgo fidelis, ora pro nobis.

Speculum iustitiae, ora pro nobis. Sedes sapientiae, ora pro nobis. Causa nostrae laetitiae, ora pro nobis.

Vas spirituale, ora pro nobis. Vas honorabile, ora pro nobis. Vas insigne devotionis, ora pro nobis.

Rosa mystica, ora pro nobis. Turris Davidica, ora pro nobis. Turris eburnea, ora pro nobis. Domus aurea, ora pro nobis. Foederis arca, ora pro nobis.

Ianua caeli, ora pro nobis. Stella matutina, ora pro nobis. Salus infirmorum, ora pro nobis.

Refugium peccatorum, ora pro nobis. Consolatrix afflictorum, ora pro nobis. Auxilium Christianorum, ora pro nobis.

Regina Angelorum, ora pro nobis. Regina Patriarcharum, ora pro nobis. Regina Prophetarum, ora pro nobis. Regina Apostolorum, ora pro nobis.

Regina Martyrum, ora pro nobis. Regina Confessorum, ora pro nobis. Regina Virginum, ora pro nobis. Regina Sanctorum omnium, ora pro nobis.

Regina sine labe originali concepta, ora pro nobis. Regina in caelum assumpta, ora pro nobis. Regina sacratissimi Rosarii, ora pro nobis. Regina familiae, ora pro nobis. Regina pacis, ora pro nobis.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis, Domine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, exaudi nos, Domine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix, R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.