Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries

(Said on Mondays, Saturdays, Sundays of Advent, and Sundays from Epiphany until Lent.    The events surrounding the coming of Our Lord, God made man, are a cause for joy.  We meditate on these mysteries asking Our Lady to help us discover the secret of Christian  joy- the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh.)

First Joyful Mystery - The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary
I Desire the Love Of Humility
Think of... The humility of the Blessed Virgin when the Angel Gabriel greeted her with these words: "Hail full of grace".

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph… And he came to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”    Luke 1:26-28

Second Joyful Mystery - The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
I Desire Charity Toward My Neighbor
Think of... Mary's charity in visiting her cousin Elizabeth and remaining with her for three months before the birth of John the Baptist.

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah… And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb.    Luke 1:39-41

Third Joyful Mystery - The Nativity of the Lord
I Desire the Love of God
Think of... The poverty, so lovingly accepted by Mary when she placed the Infant Jesus, our God and Redeemer, in a manger in the stable of Bethlehem.

And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for then in the inn.   Luke 2:7

Fourth Joyful Mystery - The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
I Desire a Spirit of Sacrifice
Think of... Mary's obedience to the law of God in presenting the Child Jesus in the Temple.

And when the parents brought in the child Jesus… he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.”   Luke 2:27-30

Fifth Joyful Mystery - Finding Jesus in the Temple
I desire Zeal for The Glory Of God
Think of... The deep sorrow with which Mary sought the Child Jesus for three days, and the joy with which she found Him in the midst of the Teachers of the Temple.

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting amoung the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed  Luke 2:45-47

The Luminous Mysteries

(Said on Thursdays throughout the year.  The public life of Our Lord reveals what the reign of God’s Kingdom is like – both in the miracles He worked and in His preaching.  We meditate on these mysteries asking Our Lady to help us to allow His light to shine in our darkness.)

First Luminous Mystery - The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
I Desire Gratitude for the gift of Faith
Think of... Our Lord Jesus in the garden of Gethsemani, suffering a bitter agony for our sins.

And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."   Matthew 3:17

The Second Luminous Mystery - The Wedding at Cana, Christ Manifested
I Desire the virtue of Fidelity
Think of...Our Lord Jesus at the Wedding of Cana revealing his glory

Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me?  My hour has not yet come.”  His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”… This, the first of the signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee.    John 24-5,11

The Third Luminous Mystery - the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
I Desire Holiness
Think of...Our Lord Jesus proclaiming the gospel in Galilee

Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."    Mark 1:15

The Fourth Luminous Mystery - The Transfiguration of Jesus
I Desire Spiritual Courage
Think of … Jesus’ appearance being altered while he was praying.

And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
Matthew 17:2

The Fifth Luminous Mystery - The Last Supper, the Holy Eucharist
I Desire the love of our Eucharistic Lord
Think of… Jesus at the last supper.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.    Matthew 26:26

The Sorrowful Mysteries

(Said on Tuesdays, Fridays, and daily from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday.  The Passion and death of Our Lord reveal how much God loves us.  We meditate on these mysteries asking Our Lady to help us comprehend this love and to experience its life-giving power.)

First Sorrowful Mystery - Agony of Jesus in the Garden
I Desire True Repentance for My Sins
Think of... Our Lord Jesus in the garden of Gethsemani, suffering a bitter agony for our sins.

And going a little farther [Jesus} fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt”.  Matthew 26:39

Second Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus is Scourged at the Pillar
I Desire a Spirit of Mortification
Think of... The cruel scourging at the pillar that our Lord suffered; the heavy blows that tore His flesh.

Then [Pilate} released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.   Matthew 27:26

Third Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus is Crowned With Thorns
I Desire Moral Courage.
Think of...  The crown of sharp thorns that was forced upon our Lord's Head and the patience with which He endured the pain for our sins.

And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and ;plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand.  Matthew 27:28-29

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus Carries His Cross
I Desire the Virtue of Patience
Think of... The heavy Cross, so willingly carried by our Lord, and ask Him to help you to carry your crosses without complaint.

And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him… They came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry his cross.   Matthew 27:31-32

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery - The Crucifixion of Jesus
I Desire the Grace of Final Perseverance
Think of... The love which filled Christ's Sacred Heart during His three hours' agony on the Cross, and ask Him to be with you at the hour of death.

And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.  And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split.  Matthew 27:33

The Glorious Mysteries

(Said on Wednesdays, and Sundays throughout the year.  In triumph, Our Lord empowers us to follow Him courageously.  We meditate on these mysteries asking Our Lady to intercede for us, that we may always keep in mind the glory of God as we seek to do His will here on earth.)

First Glorious Mystery - The Resurrection of Jesus
I Desire a Strong Faith
Think of... Christ's glorious triumph when, on the third day after His death, He arose from the tomb and for forty days appeared to His Blessed Mother and to His disciples.

Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.  John 20:8

Second Glorious Mystery - The Ascension of Jesus
I Desire the Virtue of Hope
Think of... The Ascension of Jesus Christ, forty days after His glorious Resurrection, in the presence of Mary and His disciples.

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority.  But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”… When he has said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 
Acts 1:7-9

Third Glorious Mystery - The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
I Desire Zeal for the Glory of God
Think of... The descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles, under the form of tongues of fire, in fulfillment of Christ's promise.

There appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. 
Acts 2:3-4

Fourth Glorious Mystery - The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
I Desire the Grace of a Holy Death
Think of... The glorious Assumption of Mary into Heaven, when she was united with her Divine Son.

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.   1 Thessalonians 4:14

Fifth Glorious Mystery - The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
I Desire a Greater Love for the Blessed Virgin Mary
Think of... The glorious crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven by her Divine Son, to the great joy of all the Saints.