Rosary in Latin Question

A reader writes:

Hello Jimmy, I have recently started praying the Rosary in Latin. (only the Hail Mary) I have found with great joy this "method" is extremely awesome for me. I just need your personal opinion. THink that it is ok to say this prayer this way? I find that it add a liturgical sence to the devotion. Thanks in advance.

If I understand you correctly, you’re saying the Rosary with the Hail Mary in Latin and the other prayers in English, so it’s a bi-lingual Rosary.

There’s nothing wrong with that! There is no requirement that the Rosary all be said in one language. It’s a private devotion, and there is no single way in which it is to be said–a point John Paul II made in his apostolic letter on the Rosary. If it adds extra meaning to the prayer for you to say part of it in Latin, by all means do so!

Over time, you may even want to learn the other prayers of the Rosary in Latin so that you can say the whole thing in Latin if you wish.

One tweak in the language I suggest you use, though: Since the Rosary is a private devotion, it is not liturgical. Therefore, I’d describe saying part of it in Latin as adding a sense of "solemnity" or "ceremoniality" or "devotion" to your saying of the Rosary rather than a "liturgical" sense.

Hope this helps!

Author: Jimmy Akin

Jimmy was born in Texas, grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith, and in 1992 he entered the Catholic Church. His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Besides being an author, Jimmy is the Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to Catholic Answers Magazine, and a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live."

19 thoughts on “Rosary in Latin Question”

  1. I think this is wonderful. It is something that has occurred to me to do as well.
    The biggest hang up for me has been not knowing how to pronounce the prayers. I don’t think that God would be too terribly offending by my stumbling efforts. But I don’t want to say them incorrectly thousands of times and then have to un-learn it when I discover the correct pronunciations.
    I don’t suppose anyone knows of any audio resources that I could use to learn the correct pronunciations?

  2. Is it okay to make up your own “mysteries” once in a while if you get bored with the standard set?
    Sometimes I like to meditate on passages from the Old Testament (example: the Trinity before creation, creation, creation of man, fall of man) or on events in early Church history (example: Peter preaching in Rome, crucifixion of Peter).
    Such prayers probably don’t count as an “official” rosary prayer, and probably don’t garner the special graces promised to us by the Blessed Virgin Mary for devotion to the rosary, but I find them very helpful myself.

  3. I would be interested in learning the Rosary in Latin. The thought never occurred to me before. Thanks for the idea. Now I just have to find it online.

  4. Hail Mary is certainly more beautiful, paced and poetic in Latin than in English. Ava Maria, gratia plenta…. Its so beautiful in Latin.

  5. Well, if you want to learn how to pronounce the Latin rosary prayers, you could do worse than pray along with the CD of Pope John Paul II praying it (go to Amazon and put in this number: B000008ODH in the search box) – it’s old but still available.

  6. From Daily Roman Missal publ. by OSV(without accent marks that I don’t know how to type in.)
    Hail Mary:
    Ave, Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum; benedicta tu in mulierbus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
    Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
    Glory Be:
    Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
    Sign of the Cross:
    In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
    Our Father:
    Pater noster, qui es in caelis: sanctificetur nomen tuum; adveniat regnum tuum; fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo, et in terra. Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie; et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris; et ne nos inducas in tentationem; sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

  8. BillyHW, I’m sure you’d rather Jimmy the expert answer your question, but this ordinary Catholic makes up mysteries all the time. Sometimes I think about the Gospel reading of the day and pick five things from it to meditate on. Or if a “regular” mystery stops me in prayer, then I stick with and find things about it to be thankful for during the remaining “big beads.” Or I do the regular mysteries, but try to find one thing in common in each of them, like “mercy” or “silence.”
    If we get too formal about the Rosary it could become meaningless.

  9. On the other hand… (And I didn’t see a “20” at the bottom of your answer, Jimmy so excuse me if I’m out of line)
    I would not recommend praying the Ave Marias with your rosary until you can do so without having to think so hard as to not be able to meditate on the mysteries.

  10. I actually alternate between Latin in English through the decade. It helps keep me focused, plus it inculcates what the Latin words mean so I’m not just mindlessly barking the syllables.
    Scott

  11. Rather than make up the mysteries, it might be best to “surround” the mystery you’re contemplating with the context of the mystery, like the prologue and epilogue of a story. It’s helped me a lot. Actually vocalizing the prayers, slowly if possible, is not only helpful, but from what I understand, crucial. I won’t knock those who vocalize at break-neck speed — who knows maybe I only contemplate at first gear — but sometimes I run out of Hail Mary’s before I’ve finished “ruminating” about the mystery.
    As for new mysteries, don’t forget that the Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays) are pretty new. It was one of the great gifts to us by Pope John Paul II.

  12. I looked up your suggestion http://www.fshcm.com/preces.html
    and it does help a lot. In addition there is the Te Deum, and a great file called “ordo” which has the confiteor. All are great audio files.
    I attend the indult Latin mass at St Boniface in Pittsburgh, PA. Fr myers is the priest/chaplain there. I arrived at 7:30 am for the rosary then the “Low” mass at 8am indult low mass, then a novus ordo sandwiched in between at 9:30 and then another rosary at 10:30 and the high mass at 11am. Wow talk about ‘high’, I was literally reduced to toast. Several times during the “high” mass I got the full dose. At the time I approached the altar and knelt down to take the body of christ, The Corpus Cristi,I felt no doubt that the spirit of Christ was flowing. At the moment the host touched my tonge and the priest said, “Corpus Christi de Jesu Christi” I was openly weeping those strange tears that are joy/awe/power and spiritual joy. I have no doubt or question where I’ll be next week.
    Fr Meyers spoke to my heart. As if I was assenting yes yes with the last strength of my body and heart Yes Jesus I believe.
    I am not afraid to live life according to the highest ideals I can imagine. I have had these “experiences” many times now in a variety of venues.
    I am moving more and more towards silence concerning outward things. I refuse to use my keyhole vision to curse the beauty of creation.
    Pray the rosary in Latin? Yes by all means do.
    Never be afriad to come out and admit your faith many are hungry beyond belief for the love of God.
    Paul

  13. About making up your own mysteries – I wanted to let you know – the Nuns of Bethlehem of the Assumption of the Virgin and of St. Bruno have I believe 30 mysteries in their Rosary. The Mother Foundress Sr. Marie added them. The first 5 decades before the Joyful Mysteries are – The Trinity before creation, the Divine Counsel (that we would be created in Their image and likeness), Creation, The Fall and the 1st gospel (from Genesis – crushing the head of the serpant), and finally the Old Testment. I don’t remember them all but I remember the last set of mysteries was mediations on the First Martyrs, the Desert Fathers and saints and finally the Second Coming. This community is really a great new order in the church. Here is a website if you want to learn more about them. http://praiseofglory.com/bethlehem.htm

  15. I am also learning the Rosary in Latin, but with one problem…..
    I am finding more than one verison of the Oh my Jesus prayer….
    Which one is correct?
    1.
    O mi Jesu, dimitte nobis debita nostra, libera nos ab igne inferni, conduc in caelum omnes animas, praesertim illas quae maxime indigent misericordia tua.
    2.
    Domine Iesu, dimitte nobis debita nostra, salva nos ab igne inferiori, perduc in caelum omnes animas, praesertim eas, quae misericordiae tuae maxime indigent.
    3.
    Domine Jesus, dimitte nobis debita nostra, salva nos ab igne inferiori, perduc in caelum omnes animas, praesertim eas, quae misericordiae tuae maxime indigent.
    4.
    O Mi Jesu, remitte nobis peccata nostra, custodi nos ab igne inferi, attrahe omnes animas ad Caelum praecipue illas maxime egentes misericordiae Tuae.
    5.
    Domine Iesu, dimitte nobis debita nostra, salva nos ab igne inferiori, perduc in cælum omnes animas, præsertim eas, quæ misericordiæ tuæ maxime indigent.
    (The last one was the only one w/proper characters I found….)
    It apeared as though this particular prayer was the only one I foundin so many forms.
    Thanks

  16. Jimmy
    I was wondering if you possible know where I can find the prayer before the rosary in Latin.
    I am having trouble locating it
    This is the one I a referring to:
    Queen of the Holy Rosary, you have deigned to come to Fatima to reveal to the three shepherd children the treasures of grace hidden in the rosary. Inspire my heart with a sincere love of this devotion, in order that by meditating on the Mysteries of our redemption which are recalled in it, I may be enriched with its fruits and obtain peace for the world, the conversion of sinners and of Russia, and the favor which I ask of you in this rosary (Here mention request). I sak it for the greater glory of God, for your own honor, and for the good of souls, especially for my own, Amen. Would you or anyone who knows this prayer, email it to me. Thanks

  17. Hello Jimmy I found your site by accident..looking for the Latin words for Ava Maria. Now I also have the Rosary. I keep praying that someday the mass will be in Latin again. I was brought up on mass in Latin. Conversion was difficult by I managed. I am so into Latin. If you know of anywhere that I can learn the language of Latin CD or whatever, I would greatly appreciate your assistance. Thank you and God Bless you. Diana

  18. i’VE BEEN SAYING THE ROSARY IN LATIN FOR SOMETIME NOW. I BOUGHT TWO cd’S, ONE FROM ST. THOMAS SQUINAS SEMINARY AND THE OTHER FROM PRO MULTIS MEDIA.
    MY ONLY FRUSTRATION IS THAT EVERYWHERE I LOOK, THE FATIMA PRAYER IS DIFFERENT IN LATIN. I’VE BEEN TO 10 DIFFERENT WEB SITES AND FIND AT LEAST 6 DIFFERENT TRANSLATIONS.
    ANY IDEAS HERE?

  19. MY ONLY FRUSTRATION IS THAT EVERYWHERE I LOOK, THE FATIMA PRAYER IS DIFFERENT IN LATIN.
    This is expected since there are a number of ways to say a prayer.
    In fact, there are prayers even in English that suffer from the same variety of variations.
    This is not surprising since one can state things in many different ways.

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