Queen of the Holy Rosary
(Prayer Before the Rosary)
The Queen of the Holy Rosary (Prayer Before the Rosary) is a powerful way to prepare the heart and mind before praying the Rosary. It asks the Virgin Mary to guide the prayer, grant grace, and bring peace to the world. This prayer reminds the faithful of Mary’s message at Fatima and the great spiritual benefits that come from meditating on the Mysteries of our Redemption.
By understanding this prayer, Catholics can deepen their devotion, pray with greater focus, and grow closer to Christ. This article will explore the meaning behind this prayer and how it helps in daily life.
Queen of the Holy Rosary Prayer
(Prayer Before the Rosary)
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.
(Mention your request here)
I ask it for the greater glory of God,
for your own honor,
and for the good of souls, especially for my own. Amen.
The Role of the Queen of the Holy Rosary
Mary is called the Queen because she is the Mother of Christ, the King of Heaven and Earth. In Luke 1:32, the angel Gabriel says that Jesus “shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father.” Since Jesus is King, His mother shares in His royal honor.
The Church has long recognized Mary as Queen. Pope Pius XII wrote in Ad Caeli Reginam, “Mary is Queen more than any other creature because of the divine motherhood.” This means that her title as Queen is not just symbolic; it is a real role in God’s plan.
By addressing Mary as the Queen of the Holy Rosary, this prayer acknowledges her special role in guiding the faithful through this powerful prayer. She leads her children closer to God, just as she did at the wedding at Cana when she told the servants, “Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye” (John 2:5).
Grace from the Rosary: The Treasures of Prayer
The prayer before the Rosary speaks of the “treasures of grace hidden in the Rosary.” This reflects Mary’s words at Fatima when she told the three shepherd children that the Rosary was the key to peace and mercy for the world.
Grace (God’s undeserved help) comes from meditating on the life of Christ through the Rosary. Each Mystery leads the faithful deeper into His love, mercy, and sacrifice. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part” (CCC 2725). By asking Mary to “inspire my heart with a sincere love of this devotion,” the prayer requests this special grace.
St. Louis de Montfort, a great teacher of Marian devotion, wrote in The Secret of the Rosary: “When the Holy Rosary is well said, it gives grace and power to conquer our sins.” Through this prayer, the soul opens to the grace needed to resist temptation and grow in holiness.
Praying for the Conversion of Sinners and the World
The prayer before the Rosary asks for “peace for the world” and “the conversion of sinners and of Russia.” These requests reflect the message of Fatima, where Mary asked for prayers and sacrifices for sinners. She warned that without prayer and conversion, there would be suffering in the world.
The Bible supports this mission. James 5:20 states, “He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.” The Church has always encouraged prayer for those who are far from God.
The mention of Russia in this prayer refers to the warning at Fatima that Russia would spread atheism if it did not turn back to God. Pope John Paul II consecrated Russia to the Virgin Mary in 1984, following Mary’s request at Fatima. Today, Catholics continue to pray for the conversion of sinners and lasting peace.
Asking for a Special Favor in Prayer
The prayer before the Rosary invites the faithful to mention a personal request. This teaches that prayer is not only about repeating words but also about speaking to God with the heart.
Jesus Himself encouraged this in Matthew 7:7: “Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.” God wants His children to turn to Him in prayer, trusting that He will answer according to His will.
By placing this request in the hands of Mary, the faithful follow the example of many saints who sought her intercession (asking her to pray for them). The Catechism teaches, “Mary’s intercession continues in the order of grace” (CCC 969). She brings every prayer to her Son, just as she did at Cana.
For the Greater Glory of God
The final part of the prayer before the Rosary states that the request is made “for the greater glory of God, for your own honor, and for the good of souls, especially my own.” This reminds Catholics that all prayers should be for God’s glory first.
Saint Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God.” Every prayer, including the Rosary, should be offered with this intention.
Honoring Mary does not take away from God’s glory. Instead, it brings people closer to Him. Mary always points to her Son, just as she did at Cana. She teaches the faithful to love and serve Him with all their hearts.
The Queen of the Holy Rosary Prayer in Daily Life
Praying the Rosary daily helps Catholics grow in faith. It brings peace to the home, strengthens trust in God, and leads to conversion. Many popes have encouraged the daily Rosary. Pope Leo XIII said, “The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most effective means of attaining eternal life.”
Including the prayer before the Rosary makes this devotion even more powerful. It helps the faithful focus on the grace and mercy that come through this prayer. It also reminds them to offer their prayers for others, just as Mary asked at Fatima.
By making this prayer part of daily life, Catholics follow Mary’s call to pray for the world, seek the grace of the Rosary, and grow closer to Christ.
Conclusion
The Queen of the Holy Rosary (Prayer Before the Rosary) is a meaningful prayer that prepares the heart for the Rosary. It recognizes Mary’s role as Queen, asks for grace, and seeks peace for the world. It also encourages personal requests while keeping God’s glory as the main goal. Praying this prayer daily, Catholics can grow in faith, fight against sins, and bring mercy to the world. Mary has promised great grace to those who faithfully pray the Rosary. This prayer is a reminder of that promise and a way to enter deeply into this powerful devotion.
Access All Prayers of the Rosary
For your convenience, we offer a PDF containing all the prayers of the Rosary (available for desktop and tablet users). This free resource can be downloaded, shared, and printed to help with learning and memorizing the Rosary.
In addition, you can explore our dedicated webpage, All Prayers of the Rosary, where you’ll find each prayer clearly listed and explained.
Click the button below to download the PDF and deepen your devotion to the Rosary.
Charles Rogers is a resident of South Carolina and a retired computer programmer by trade. Raised in various Christian denominations, he always believed in Jesus Christ. In 2012, he began experiencing authentic spiritual encounters with the Blessed Virgin Mary, which led him on a seven-year journey at her hand, that included alcohol addiction, a widow maker heart attack and death and conversion to the Catholic Faith. He is the exclusive author and owner of Two Percent Survival, a website dedicated to and created in honor of the Holy Mother. Feel free to email Charles at twopercentsurvival@gmail.com.
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Last Publish: February 6, 2025