Many Catholics believe that mental prayer or meditation of the chief mysteries of the life, death and glory of Jesus Christ and His mother Mary, bring them closer to God. As such, a rosary is used to say fifteen or five decades of the Hail Mary. Each decade is headed by an Our Father. The fifteen mysteries are divided into joyful, sorrowful and glorious.

In saying the rosary, one must be in a state of grace or at very least be fully determined to give up mortal sin. This practice is considered a blessed blending of mental and vocal prayer. The prayers start with a recitation of the Apostles Creed before praying Our Father on the first large bead. Each of the three following small beads are for Hail Marys while the next large bead is for the Glory Be to the Father.