What is a decade of the rosary?

The decade of the rosary refers to a specific set of prayers within the Rosary, a form of prayer in the Catholic tradition. The Rosary is made up of five decades, with each decade consisting of one Our Father prayer, ten Hail Mary prayers, and a Glory Be prayer.

During the praying of each decade, the individual meditates on a specific mystery from the life of Jesus or Mary, known as the Mysteries of the Rosary. There are four sets of mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous, each focusing on different aspects of the life of Jesus and Mary.

The decade of the rosary is a powerful form of meditative prayer, allowing individuals to reflect on the life and teachings of Jesus and seek intercession from Mary. It is often prayed using a set of beads known as a rosary, which helps individuals keep track of the prayers and meditations as they move from one decade to the next.