A traditional, or Catholic, rosary, is made up of a cross followed by an Our Father bead, three Hail Mary beads, an Our Father bead, and five decades separated by Our Father beads. (A decade is a collection of ten beads.)

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To pray the traditional rosary, begin on the cross and recite the following prayers:

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Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, ♱ and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

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Our Father 

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come, They Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

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Hail Mary (x3)

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.​

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Then, for the decades, recite these prayers:

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Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

O My Jesus

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.

Our Father

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Hail Mary (x10)

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Conclude with the following prayers:

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Hail Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy; our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us. And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Concluding Prayers (if meditating on the Holy Mysteries)
V. Let us pray
All: 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 of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the Power of God, cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, who wander about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

My Queen! My Mother! Consecration to Our Lady
My Queen! My Mother! I give myself entirely to Thee; and to show my devotion to Thee, I consecrate to Thee, this day, my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Wherefore dear Mother, as I am thine own, keep me, guard me, as thy property and possession. Amen.