THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES:
(Prayed on Mondays and Saturdays)
1. The Annunciation: The Archangel Gabriel
announces to Mary that she will be the mother of Jesus.
In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy God sent the angel
Gabriel to a town in Galilee named Nazareth. He had a message for
a girl promised in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was a
descendant of King David. The girl's name was Mary. The angel
came to her and said, "Peace be with you! The Lord is with you
and has greatly blessed you!" Mary was deeply troubled by the
angel's message, and she wondered what his words meant. The angel
said to her, "Don't be afraid Mary; God has been gracious to you.
You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will
name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of
the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his
ancestor David was, and he will be the king of the descendants of
Jacob forever; his kingdom will have no end. "I am the Lord's
servant," said Mary; "may it happen to me as you have said." And
the angel left her. (Luke 1:26-33,38)
Application in Daily Life:
Humility
2. The Visitation: Mary goes to help her aged
cousin Elizabeth who is pregnant with John the Baptist.
Soon afterward Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the
hill country of Judea. She went into Zechariah's house and
greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the
baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
and said in a loud voice, "You are the most blessed of all women,
and blessed is the child you will bear! Why should this great
thing happen to me, that my Lord's mother comes to visit me? For
as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with
gladness. How happy you are to believe that the Lord's message
will come true!" (Luke 1:39-45)
Application in Daily Life: Love
of Neighbour
3. The Nativity: The birth of Jesus in
Bethlehem.
.. and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to
have her baby. She gave birth to her son, wrapped him in cloths
and laid him in a manger - there was no room for them to stay in
the inn. There were some shepherds in that part of the country
who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their
flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of
the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, but the
angel said to them, "Don't be afraid! I am here with good news
for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very
day in David's town your Savior was born - Christ the Lord! And
this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped
in cloths and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:6-12)
Application in Daily Life:
Spirit of Poverty
4. The Presentation: Jesus is presented in
the Temple.
The time came for Joseph and Mary to perform the ceremony of
purification, as the law of Moses commanded. So they took the
child to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it is written
in the law of the Lord: "Every first-born male is to be dedicated
to the Lord." They also went to offer a sacrifice of a pair of
doves or two young pigeons, as required by the law of the Lord.
(Luke 2:22-24)
Application in Daily Life:
Obedience to God's Will
5. Jesus is Found Teaching in the Temple:
Jesus is found teaching the elders, in the Temple, when he is
twelve years old.
Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the
Passover Festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to
the festival as usual. When the festival was over, they started
back home, but the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did
not know this; they thought that he was with the group, so they
traveled a whole day and then started looking for him among their
relatives and friends. They did not find him, so they went back
to Jerusalem looking for him. On the third day they found him in
the Temple, sitting with the Jewish teachers, listening to them
and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his
intelligent answers. His parents were astonished when they saw
him, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to
us? Your father and I have been terribly worried trying to find
you." He answered them, "Why did you have to look for me? Didn't
you know that I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not
understand his answer. So Jesus went back with them to Nazareth,
where he was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these
things in her heart. (Luke 2:41-51)
Application in Daily Life:
Fidelity to Vocation
THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES:
(Prayed on Thursdays)
1. The Baptism of the Lord:Jesus comes to John the Baptist at the Jordan River to be baptized.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you
are coming to me?" Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. After Jesus
was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and)
coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:13-17)
Application in Daily Life: Openness to the Holy Spirit.
2. The Wedding of Cana: Mary and Jesus are invited to a wedding feast at Cana.
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the
wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." (And) Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern
affect me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish
ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. Then he told
them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without
knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone
serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this as the
beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. (John 2:1-11)
Application in Daily Life: To Jesus through Mary.
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom:The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.
When he (Jesus) heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of
Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to
the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed
by death light has arisen." From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mt 4:12-17)
After John had been arrested, 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." (Mk 1:1415)
Application in Daily Life: Repentance and trust in God.
4. The Transfiguration:Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James and John.
He also said to them, "Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come
in power." After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before
them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they
were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses,
and one for Elijah." He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came
a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. As they were
coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant. (Mark 9:1-10)
Application in Daily Life: Desire for Holiness.
5. The Institution of the Eucharist: Jesus institutes the Eucharist and the sacrament of Holy Orders at the Last Supper.
When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I
suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it (again) until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, "Take
this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you (that) from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of
me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you. (Lk 22:14-20)
Application in Daily Life: Adoration.
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES:
(Prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays)
1. The Agony in the Garden: Jesus spends and
agonized night, in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the eve of his
crucifixion.
Jesus left the city and went, as he usually did, to the Mount of
Olives; and the disciples went with him. When he arrived at the
place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into
temptation." Then he went off from them about the distance of a
stone's throw and knelt down and prayed. "Father," he said, "if
you will, take this cup of suffering away from me. Not my will
however, but your will be done." An angel from heaven appeared to
him and strengthened him. In great anguish he prayed even more
fervently; his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the
ground. Rising from his prayer, he went back to the disciples and
found them asleep, worn out by their grief. He said to them, "Why
are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you will not fall into
temptation." (Luke 22:39-46)
Application in Daily Life:
Spirit of Prayer
2. The Scourging: Jesus is tied to a pillar
and whipped.
Pilate spoke again to the crowd, "What, then, do you want me to
do with the one you call the king of the Jews?" They shouted
back, "Crucify him!" "But what crime has he committed?" Pilate
asked. They shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" Pilate wanted
to please the crowd, so he set Barabbas free for them. Then he
had Jesus whipped and handed him over to be crucified. (Mark
15:12-15)
Application in Daily Life:
Modesty and Purity
3. The Crowning with Thorns: The soldiers make
a crown of thorns and put it on Jesus head to mock him. The
soldiers made a crown out of thorny branches and put it on his
head; then they put a purple robe on him and came to him and
said, "Long live the King of the Jews!" And they went up and
slapped him.(John 19:2-3)
Application in Daily Life:
Courage
4. The Carrying of the Cross: Jesus is made to
carry the cross of his crucifixion to the place of his execution.
Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they
took charge of Jesus. He went out, carrying his cross, and came
to "The Place of the Skull," as it is called. (In Hebrew it is
called "Golgotha.") There they crucified him; and the also
crucified two other men, one on each side, with Jesus between
them. Pilate wrote a notice and had it put on the cross. "Jesus
of Nazareth, the King of the Jews," is what he wrote. Many people
read it, because the place where Jesus was crucified was not far
from the city. The notice was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek.
The chief priests said to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the
Jews,' but rather, 'This man said, I am the King of the Jews.'"
Pilate answered, "What I have written stays written." (John
19:16-22)
Application in Daily Life:
Patience in Suffering
5. The Crucifixion: Jesus is crucified and
dies for our sins.
Standing close to Jesus' cross were his mother, his mother's
sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus saw
his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said
to his mother, "He is your son." Then he said to the disciple,
"She is your mother." From that time the disciple took her to
live in his home. Jesus knew that by now everything had been
completed; and in order to make the scripture come true, he said,
"I am thirsty." A bowl was there, full of cheap wine; so a sponge
was soaked in the wine, put on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted up
to his lips. Jesus drank the wine and said, "It is finished!"
Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John
19:25-30)
Application in Daily Life:
Self-denial
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES:
(Prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays)
1. The Resurrection: After three days Jesus
rises from death.
After the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of
James, and Salome brought spices to go and anoint the body of
Jesus. Very early on Sunday morning, at sunrise, they went to the
tomb. On the way they said to one another, "Who will roll away
the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" (It was a very
large stone.) Then they looked up and saw that the stone had
already been rolled back. So they entered the tomb, where they
saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe - and
they were alarmed. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "I know you are
looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here
- he has been raised! Look, here is the place where he was
placed. Now go and give this message to his disciples, including
Peter: 'He is going to Galilee ahead of you; there you will see
him, just as he told you.'" (Mark 16:1-7)
Application in Daily Life:
Faith
2. The Ascension: Forty days after his
resurrection, Jesus ascends into heaven to sit at the right hand
of God.
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said
to them, "This is what is written: the Messiah must suffer and
must rise from death three days later, and in his name the
message about repentance and the forgiveness of sins must be
preached to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. You are
witnesses of these things. And I myself will send upon you what
my Father has promised. But you must wait in the city until the
power from above comes down upon you." Then he led them out of
the city as far as Bethany, where he raised his hands and blessed
them. As he was blessing them, he departed from them and was
taken up into heaven. They worshipped him and went back into
Jerusalem, filled with great joy, and spent all their time in the
Temple giving thanks to God. (Luke24:45-53)
Application in Daily Life:
Hope
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit: After the
ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit descends on Mary and the
Apostles, gathered in the Upper Room.
When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered
together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from the sky
which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole
house where they were sitting. Then they saw what looked like
tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there.
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in
other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. There were
Jews living in Jerusalem, religious men who had come from every
country in the world. When they heard this noise, a large crowd
gathered. They were all excited, because each one of them heard
the believers talking in his own language. In amazement and
wonder they exclaimed, "These people who are talking like this
are all Galileans! How is it, then, that all of us hear them
speaking in our own native languages?..." (Acts
2:1-8)
Application in Daily Life: Wisdom,
Love, Zeal, Fortitude>
4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven: After
her death, Mary is taken, body and soul into heaven. (Ancient
tradition of the Church and celebrated on August 15th every
year.)
Then a great and mysterious sight appeared in the sky. There was
a woman, whose dress was the sun and who had the moon under her
feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. (Revelations
12:1)
Application in Daily Life: Grace of a
Happy Death
5. The Crowning of Mary Queen of Heaven: Mary
is crowned the Queen of Heaven by her Son Jesus. (Ancient
tradition of the Church and celebrated on August 22nd every
year.)
You are Jerusalem's crowning glory, the heroine of Israel, the
pride and joy of our people!... God, the Almighty, is pleased
with what you have done.(Judith 15:9-10)
Application in Daily Life: Devotion to
Mary and Final Perseverance
PRAYING THE ROSARY
a) Using the crucifix on the Rosary, bless yourself
with the SIGN OF THE CROSS, recite the PREPARATORY PRAYER and
then recite the APOSTLES CREED.
b) On the first bead following the crucifix say one
OUR FATHER.
c) Say one HAIL MARY on each of the following three
beads. (For an increase in Faith, Hope and Charity). Conclude
these introductory prayers with one GLORY BE TO THE
FATHER.
d) On the single bead, following the group of three
beads, the Mysteries of the Rosary begin. Select a set of
Mysteries proper for the day. For instance, on a Monday it would
be the Joyful Mysteries. Announce to yourself the first Mystery,
the Annunciation, get a picture of it in your mind and then say
one OUR FATHER.
e)While thinking about and picturing this first
Mystery in your mind, move to the first group of ten beads (A decade) and
say one HAIL MARY on each bead. When you have completed the tenth
HAIL MARY, finish the decade with one GLORY BE TO THE FATHER.
After the GLORY BE TO THE FATHER, Our Lady told the children of
Fatima that she would like to have us add the O MY JESUS PARDON US prayer that you will find
earlier in this leaflet. This last prayer is
optional.
f) Move on to the next bead, the start of the second
decade, select and picture in your mind the second of the group of
mysteries you have chosen for the day, which in the Joyful group
would be the Visitation, and repeat the above process. Continue
on in this fashion until you have completed the five decades and
then say one HAIL HOLY QUEEN. There are additional prayers that
you might like to add, after the HAIL HOLY QUEEN but once again,
these are optional and you will find them earlier on in this
leaflet.
g) Close by blessing yourself with the SIGN OF THE
CROSS, using the crucifix on the Rosary.
W.J. Bradley.