What is the Rosary, and what does Scripture say about it?
The Rosary is a Catholic devotion of set prayers, mostly the Hail Mary, counted on beads while meditating on events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. Scripture encourages dwelling on Christ, but never teaches praying to Mary.
A Rosary is prayed in decades: an Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be, while thinking about a mystery such as the birth, death or resurrection of Jesus. Many Catholics use it to dwell on the Gospel, and many love Jesus deeply.
The first part of the Hail Mary uses words from Luke 1, spoken to Mary by the angel Gabriel and by Elizabeth. The second part asks Mary to pray for us. Scripture never shows believers praying to Mary or to anyone in heaven except God, and Jesus warned against vain repetition. We encourage everyone to bring every need straight to the Father through Jesus.
28Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”
Luke 1:28 (WEB) · context
42She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
Luke 1:42 (WEB) · context
7In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.
Matthew 6:7 (WEB) · context
5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
1 Timothy 2:5 (WEB) · context
13Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.
John 14:13-14 (WEB) · context
The good news
Saved by grace, through faith, in Christ
Salvation is God's free gift to everyone who trusts Jesus Christ alone.