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The Mysteries of the Rosary

I. How to Pray the Rosary
II. The Mysteries of the Rosary
  →The Joyful Mysteries
  →The Sorrowful Mysteries
  →The Glorious Mysteries
  →The Luminous Mysteries
III. Questions, Answers, and Information on the Rosary

 

The Mysteries of the Rosary

MYSTERIES OF THE HOLY ROSARY

The Mysteries of the Rosary are designed to help focus our prayer on the life, ministry, and Passion of Our Lord. Pope Pius XII described the rosary prayer as "the compendium of the entire Gospel." There are four rosary mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, Luminous) and five parts of each mystery which correspond to the five decades of the rosary.

The Joyful Mysteries focus on the joyful events related to the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. The Sorrowful Mysteries focus on the sorrowful events related to the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ. The Glorious Mysteries focus on the glorious events related to the Resurrection and the reigning of Christ in heaven with Our Lady. The Luminous Mysteries or mysteries of light (added by Pope St. John Paul II) focus on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

It is recommended that you meditate on the mysteries of the rosary based upon the days of the week. For example, on Mondays you will pray the Joyful Mysteries. With each of the five decades of the rosary you will focus on one of the five events that comprise the Joyful mysteries. On Tuesday you will pray the Sorrowful Mysteries, and so on through the rest of the week. This method was recommended to the faithful by Pope St. John Paul II.

Rosary Meditation Booklet

A portable rosary booklet, pamphlet, or card is the perfect way to follow this practice wherever you are. 

Meditating on the life of Christ with the prayers of the Holy Rosary through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Maryis a sure way of growing in faith and in your understanding of the faith, deepening your relationship with Christ, increasing in holiness and virtue, and avoiding sin.

Read in detail about each of the Mysteries by clicking its respective heading.

Joyful Mysteries
Suggested to be prayed on Monday and Saturday

  1. The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
  2. The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)
  3. The Birth of Our Lord (Luke 2:1-21)
  4. The Presentation of Our Lord (Luke 2:22-38)
  5. The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)

Sorrowful Mysteries
Suggested to be prayed on Tuesday and Friday

  1. The Agony of Our Lord in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-56)
  2. Our Lord is Scourged at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26)
  3. Our Lord is Crowned with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-31)
  4. Our Lord Carries the Cross to Calvary (Matthew 27:32)
  5. The Crucifixion of Our Lord (Matthew 27:33-56)

Glorious Mysteries
Suggested to be prayed on Wednesday and Sunday

  1. The Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord (John 20:1-29)
  2. The Ascension of Our Lord (Luke 24:36-53)
  3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41)
  4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
  5. The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

Luminous Mysteries
Suggested to be prayed on Thursday

  1. The Baptism of Our Lord (Matthew 3:13-16)
  2. The Wedding at Cana (Jn 2:1-11)
  3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15)
  4. The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Matthew 17:1-8)
  5. The Insitution of the Holy Eucharist (Mt 26)