short strand: The Sign of the Cross (sometimes using the cross or crucifix); The Apostles' Creed (the cross or crucifix is held in the hand); The Lord's Prayer at the first large bead (for the needs of the Catholic Church and the intentions of the reigning pope); The Hail Mary on each of the next three beads (for the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity); and The Glory Be in the space before the next large bead. The praying of the decades then follows, repeating this cycle for each mystery: Announcing the mystery (e.g. "The First Glorious Mystery is the Resurrection of Jesus."); The Lord's Prayer on the large bead; The Hail Mary on each of the ten adjacent small beads; The Glory Be on the space before the next large bead (often followed by the Fatima Prayer); and To conclude: The Hail Holy Queen (sometimes with other prayers, while holding the medal or large bead); and The Sign of the cross. Variations and common additions Common pious additions to the Rosary are sometimes inserted after each decade and after recitation of the Salve Regina. Instead of ending each decade with the Gloria Patri, Pope Pius IX would add: "May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace." Some Catholics piously add the Fatima Prayer after the Gloria Patri, still on the large bead. Some add the Miraculous Medal prayer which begins "O Mary, conceived without sin…", while others add the Eucharistic prayer "O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine" in honour of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. In the practice of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, there is a sixth decade for the intentions of the students, or the Virgin Mary. Other popular additions include the shorter form of the Prayer to Saint Michael; the Memorare, and a prayer for the intentions of the Pope. In many cases, the Litany of Loreto is recited before the end. In the practice of the Dominican Order, the beginning prayers of the rosary correspond to the preces that begin the Divine Office: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Hail Mary, full of grace, the is with Thee. Blessed art Thou among women, and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb, Jesus. O , open my