Meditations for the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary (2024)

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A thought is suggested for each of the 10 Hail Marys in each decade. Some people find it helpful simply to gaze at a picture depicting the mystery.

Joyful Mysteries |Sorrowful Mysteries|Glorious Mysteries

The Five Joyful Mysteries

The Joyful Mysteries are usually prayed on Mondays and Thursdays, and also on Sundays during Advent and the Christmas season.

Meditations for the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary (2)

I. The Annunciation

  1. The Angel Gabriel is sent to Nazareth.
  2. The Angel greets Mary: “Hail, full of grace; the Lord is with thee.”
  3. Mary is troubled at the Angel’s word.
  4. Gabriel tells Mary that she is to be the Mother of God.
  5. Mary speaks of her virginity: “How shall this be done, since I know not man?”
  6. The Angel foretells the Virgin Birth.
  7. Gabriel also says that Elizabeth has conceived a child in her old age.
  8. Mary consents: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word.”
  9. The Word is made flesh.
  10. Mary adores the God Who has become incarnate within her womb.

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II. The Visitation

  1. Mary hastens to visit Elizabeth in her time of need.
  2. Mary greets Elizabeth.
  3. At the sound of Mary’s voice, John leaps for joy in his mother’s womb.
  4. Elizabeth praises Mary: “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”
  5. Mary returns praise to God: “My soul doth magnify the Lord...”
  6. Mary waits on Elizabeth.
  7. John the Baptist is born and the people celebrate.
  8. Zachary’s tongue is loosed and he praises God.
  9. Joseph fears to take Mary for his spouse.
  10. An Angel reassures Joseph, telling him that Mary has conceived by the Holy Ghost.

III. The Birth of Our Lord

  1. Mary and Joseph journey to Bethlehem.
  2. They are turned away from the inn; there is no room for them.
  3. Joseph finds shelter in a stable.
  4. Jesus is born and laid in a manger.
  5. The angels announces the birth of Christ to the shepherds.
  6. The heavenly host praises God: “Glory to God in the highest...”
  7. The shepherds come to worship at the crib.
  8. They marvel at the word of the angels.
  9. Mary ponders these things in her heart.
  10. The Magi come to adore the Christ Child.

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IV. The Presentation of Our Lord

  1. Mary and Joseph bring the Infant to the Temple.
  2. Mary and Joseph make an offering of two doves for the Child.
  3. Simeon sees the Christ Child and recognizes the Messias.
  4. He receives the Christ Child into his arms.
  5. Simeon blesses Mary and Joseph.
  6. He foretells the destiny of the Child and the sorrows of His Mother.
  7. Anna, who leads a life of prayer and penance, also recognizes the Savior.
  8. She speaks of the child to the people.
  9. An angel warns the Holy Family to flee into Egypt to escape Herod.
  10. The Holy Family returns to Nazareth

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V. The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple

  1. The Holy Family journeys to Jerusalem to celebrate the Pasch.
  2. The Holy Family worships at the feast.
  3. After the feast, Mary and Joseph leave Jerusalem, not knowing that Jesus remained behind.
  4. Jesus is found missing from the caravan after a day’s journey.
  5. Mary and Joseph search for three days.
  6. Jesus is found in the Temple in the midst of the doctors.
  7. Mary receives her Child in Joy and anguish.
  8. Jesus speaks of his Father’s work.
  9. Jesus returns with Mary and Joseph; Mary ponders in her heart.
  10. Jesus grows in wisdom, age and grace.

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries

The Sorrowful Mysteries are usually prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays, and also on Sundays during Lent.

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I. The Agony in the Garden

  1. After the Last Supper Jesus and the Apostles go to the Garden of Olives.
  2. Jesus asks the Apostles to watch with Him.
  3. Jesus withdraws and prays.
  4. As He thinks of what He is to suffer and of our ingratitude, He is bathed in a sweat of blood.
  5. Jesus awakens the Apostles, who have fallen asleep from weariness.
  6. He returns to His prayer, and asks His Father that this chalice to pass away.
  7. Jesus again finds the Apostles sleeping.
  8. He returns to His prayer; an Angel comes to comfort Him.
  9. Mary keeps an agonizing vigil.
  10. Jesus goes to meet His betrayer.

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II. The Scourging

  1. The people cry for Christ’s crucifixion.
  2. Pilate orders Jesus to be scourged even though He is innocent.
  3. Jesus is stripped and bound to the pillar.
  4. He is scourged by the soldiers.
  5. Jesus suffers without complaint.
  6. Jesus atones for our sins of the flesh.
  7. Mary suffers in compassion.
  8. Jesus is scourged above measure.
  9. The prophecy of Isaias is fulfilled (53:5).
  10. The Holy Shroud bears witness to the lashes.

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III. The Crowning with Thorns

  1. The soldiers surround Christ and mock Him.
  2. Jesus is clothed in royal purple.
  3. The soldiers form a crown of thorns and place it on His head.
  4. They crush it down so that the thorns pierce His sacred head.
  5. The soldiers place a reed in Jesus’ hand and mock Him.
  6. They spit upon Him and strike His face.
  7. Jesus is beaten with the reed.
  8. He suffers meekly.
  9. Mary suffers in compassion.
  10. Pilate shows Jesus to the people: “Ecce Homo!”

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IV. The Carrying of the Cross

  1. Pilate, washing his hands, condemns Jesus to death.
  2. The Apostles flee in fear.
  3. Jesus takes up His cross.
  4. He is so weak from the scourging that soon He falls beneath it.
  5. The people jeer at Christ.
  6. Jesus meets his afflicted Mother.
  7. Simon is made to help Jesus carry the cross.
  8. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
  9. Jesus speaks to the weeping women.
  10. Jesus climbs Calvary.

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V. The Crucifixion

  1. Jesus is stripped of His garments.
  2. He is nailed to the cross and it is raised.
  3. The soldiers cast lots for Christ’s robe.
  4. The people mock Jesus: “If thou art the Christ, come down from the cross!”
  5. Jesus prays for His enemies: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”
  6. He promises paradise to the thief.
  7. He leaves us His mother: “Son, behold thy mother!”
  8. Jesus gives up His spirit: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.”
  9. Jesus is taken down from the cross and laid in His Mother’s arms.
  10. Jesus is laid in the tomb.

The Five Glorious Mysteries

The Glorious Mysteries are usually prayed on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and also on Sundays outside Advent and Lent.

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I. The Resurrection of Our Lord

  1. Christ rises from the dead.
  2. The women go to the tomb.
  3. An Angel descends to roll back the stone.
  4. The tomb is found empty.
  5. The Angels announce the Resurrection.
  6. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalen.
  7. The Apostles doubt the women's word.
  8. Peter and John find the cloths in the tomb.
  9. Jesus joins the disciples going to Emmaus.
  10. Jesus appears to the Apostles.

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II. The Ascension of Our Lord

  1. He shows Himself for forty days to the apostles and disciples, at one time to more than 500 brethren.
  2. Jesus sends the Apostles to preach the Gospel.
  3. He commands them not to leave Jerusalem, but to await the coming of the Holy Ghost.
  4. In the presence of the apostles and disciples, a cloud receives Jesus out of their sight.
  5. The Angels reassure the them and promise Christ's return.
  6. Mary is filled with joy.
  7. Jesus leads the Saints into Heaven.
  8. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father.
  9. He intercedes for us to the Father.
  10. The disciples return to the Upper Room to pray and await the Holy Ghost.

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III. The Descent of the Holy Ghost

  1. The disciples persevere in prayer with Mary.
  2. Matthias is chosen to take the place of Judas.
  3. The sound of a mighty wind fills the Cenacle.
  4. Tongues of fire rest on the disciples.
  5. The disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit.
  6. The Apostles preach to the people about Christ.
  7. The people are filled with wonder because each hears the Apostles speaking in his own tongue.
  8. Peter preaches that Christ is the Messias and that He rose from the dead.
  9. About three thousand souls accepted the Apostles' word and were baptized that day.
  10. Through the Apostles we receive the Holy Ghost.

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IV. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin

  1. Mary longs to see her Son.
  2. Soon she is to be reunited with Him in Heaven.
  3. The Apostles come to see Mary before she dies.
  4. They are heartbroken that she is to leave them.
  5. Mary consoles and strengthens each of the Apostles.
  6. Her love for her Son is so great that her body can no longer contain her soul.
  7. She dies in peace and great joy.
  8. Mary is laid to rest.
  9. Mary is assumed into Heaven and is received joyously in Heaven.
  10. The Apostles find the tomb empty.

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V. The Coronation of Our Blessed Mother

  1. Jesus crowns Mary Queen of Heaven.
  2. She is enthroned at the right hand of Jesus.
  3. Mary is seen crowned with twelve stars.
  4. The Angels and Saints praise her.
  5. The faithful on earth praise her.
  6. Mary intercedes for us with her Son.
  7. Jesus cannot refuse the prayers of His Holy Mother.
  8. St. Joseph reigns with Jesus and Mary.
  9. The day of Judgment approaches.
  10. The Church longs for heaven.
Meditations for the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary (2024)

FAQs

How to pray the 15 mysteries of the rosary? ›

Praying the Rosary

Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles' Creed. On the first bead, say an Our Father. Say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads. For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery (perhaps followed by a brief reading from Scripture) then say the Our Father.

How to meditate the mysteries of the rosary? ›

Gently focus on each mystery as you reach it in the course of praying the rosary. You might find it helpful to read some devotional material about the mystery. You might also listen to music, write, or practice exercises of the imagination.

What happens when you pray the Rosary every day? ›

If you strive to pray the Rosary daily and devoutly, one of two things will happen: either you will sin less and less, becoming more like Christ—or you will give up on the Rosary. In this way, devotion to the Rosary is a direct battle between grace and sin within us. If we persevere in the Rosary, Mary will prevail.

Are there 15 or 20 mysteries of the rosary? ›

In 2002, Pope John Paul II said it is fitting that a new set of five be added, termed the Luminous Mysteries, bringing the total number of mysteries to 20.

What mysteries of the rosary do you pray each day? ›

It is traditional to pray different mysteries each day: the Glorious Mysteries on Sundays and Wednesdays, the Joyful Mysteries on Mondays and Saturdays, the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the new Luminous Mysteries on Thursdays.

Is it okay to wear a rosary? ›

The Catholic Church in the USA has expressed that wearing a rosary necklace is a proper expression and devotion.

Why is praying the Rosary so powerful? ›

Praying the Rosary allows us to encounter Mary and to enter the mysteries of Jesus Christ. From his Incarnation, to the Cross, to the Resurrection, we come to understand that God has revealed himself and saved us. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, continue to inspire us to a life of discipleship.

Can praying the Rosary change your life? ›

The Rosary, with its prayers and meditations, touches every aspect of our lives, inward and outward, so that praying it daily really does change your life. It isn't just a habit but a lifestyle. It makes sense, then, that when you do begin praying the Rosary daily, other people tend to find out after a time.

Can I pray the Rosary in bed? ›

Any time and any place is a good time to pray the Rosary, even in bed.

Where to put rosary in room? ›

Basically anywhere you want. There is no set place where they can be kept. I keep mine by my bed, another set next to my chair in the living room and another set in the car. These are the three places where I pray my Rosary.

Which pope changed the Rosary? ›

On October 16, 2002, almost 600 years after the original Mysteries of the rosary were established, Pope John Paul II proposed adding a new set of mysteries called the Luminous Mysteries (the Mysteries of Light).

Does the color of a rosary mean anything? ›

In a religious or spiritual context, colors are often loaded with symbolism. For instance, white may represent purity and peace, while purple can signify penance and preparation during Lent. Understanding these color associations is crucial when selecting rosary beads, as they reflect different aspects of faith.

How long does it take to pray a 15 decade Rosary? ›

Praying the full Rosary step by step usually takes about 15 – 25 minutes, but remember, you can always simply pray one decade (an Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's, a Glory Be) if that's all the time you have.

What are the mysteries of the rosary and when are they said? ›

According to his suggestion, the four sets of mysteries might be prayed on the following days: the Joyful Mysteries on Monday and Saturday, the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday and Friday, the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday, and the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday.

Are there 20 mysteries of the rosary? ›

There are twenty mysteries of the rosary, divided into four categories. A mystery is a snapshot in the life of Jesus and Mary and provides an anchor to meditate on while you pray a decade of the rosary. Each mystery, each moment in their lives, holds incredible insights for our own lives today.

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