Dominican friars have been active in promoting the recitation of the Rosary for many centuries. The Rosary is worn by Dominicans as part of the habit, and at least five decades of the Rosary are to be prayed daily by each Dominican friar, either in communally or privately.
The Dominican way of praying the Rosary
Dominican friars have traditionally prayed the Rosary in a way that is slightly different from the (now) more common method. The Dominican version begins with a series of verses and responses that recall the opening of the Divine Office.
The Dominican Rosary begins:
V. Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee;
R. Blessed art Thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus.
V. O Lord, open my lips;
R. And my mouth will proclaim Your praise.
V. O God, come to my assistance.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia!
The Dominican Rosary continues with the announcement of which Mysteries are being recited:
(E.g.) “The First Part of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Joyful Mysteries.”
Then the first mystery is announced:
“The first Mystery of the Most Holy Rosary, the Annunciation.”
As the Mystery is announced, one begins to meditate on that portion of Christ’s life.
Following the announcement, the Our Father is prayed on the first large bead.
On each of the next ten (smaller) beads, a Hail Mary is prayed. While pronouncing these prayers, one continues to meditate on the Mystery of Christ’s life.
At the end of the “decade” of 10 Hail Marys, one prays the Glory Be. Then, one announces the next mystery (e.g., “The Visitation”) and recites the Our Father on the large bead. After the Our Father is finished, one moves to the first small bead of the next decade and begin the Hail Marys again.
This process continues through each of the five decades until you return to the medallion, where the Glory Be is prayed. Most Rosaries have beads for five decades, although a “full” Dominican rosary has fifteen decades.
The Dominican Rosary then concludes with the following prayers:
First, the Hail, Holy Queen is prayed.
Then one says the follow verses and responses:
V. Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray: 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 by 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.
V. May the Divine Assistance remain always with us.
R. And may the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
[If a Priest is present:] And may the Blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit descend upon you and remain with you always.
[Otherwise:] And may Almighty God bless us, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.