Prayer ...
The Rosary
The Rosary is a form of prayer that meditates on 20 events, or mysteries, in the life of Jesus. The rosary is usually said in private, although it is often prayed in a public forum; for example after mass is over, some members of the congregation may remain in the church to pray the rosary together, or they may gather a few minutes before mass starts to say the rosary, or they may form a rosary group that that gathers to pray together at a different time. People use rosary beads to help them through the litany of prayers and meditations.
The Rosary consists of three well-known prayers: the Apostles' Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be (Doxology), and Hail, Holy Queen are said according to a fixed pattern. At various points, indicated by the pattern of the beads in the rosary, the person meditates on various “mysteries” in the life of Jesus and of his mother, Mary. There are four categories of mysteries: joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious. The meditation of these mysteries is spread out over the days of the week. For more information on praying the rosary, click here.
Joyful Mysteries (Mondays and Saturdays)
- The Annunciation: The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she is to become the Mother of Jesus. (Luke 1:26-38)
- The Visitation: Mary visits and helps her cousin Elizabeth. (Luke 1:39-56)
- The Nativity: Mary gives birth to Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem. (Luke 2:1-20)
- The Presentation in the Temple: Jesus is presented in the Temple. (Luke 2:21-38)
- The finding of the child Jesus in the Temple: Jesus is found in the Temple and "all who heard Him were amazed." (Luke 2:41-51)
Mysteries of Light / Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)
- The Baptism in the Jordan: Jesus' public life begins when John baptizes him in the Jordan. (Matthew 3:13-17)
- The Wedding Feast at Cana: Jesus performs his first sign, turning water into wine. (John 2:1-11)
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God: Jesus calls everyone to enter the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 4:12-17)
- The Transfiguration: Jesus briefly reveals his divine glory in the presence of Peter, John and James. (Mathew 17:1-8)
- The Institution of the Eucharist: The Passover meal receives a new meaning with the institution of the Eucharist, anticipating the glory of the Kingdom. (Matthew 26:26-29)
Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays)
- The Agony in the Garden: Jesus suffers his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and overcomes temptation through prayer. (Matthew 26:36-46)
- The Scourging at the Pillar: Jesus is taken to Pilate and is mocked and whipped at the pillar. (John 19:1-3)
- The Crowning with Thorns: Jesus is crowned with a circle of sharp thorns. (Matthew 27:27-31)
- The Carrying of the Cross: Jesus carries the cross to Golgotha. (Mark 15:21-24)
- The Crucifixion: Jesus dies on the cross. (Luke 23:33-46)
Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays)
- The Resurrection: Jesus rises from the dead on the third day. (Luke 24:1-12)
- The Ascension: Jesus ascends into heaven forty days after his resurrection. (Mark 16:19-20)
- The descent of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit descends upon Mary and the apostles. (Acts 2.1-4)
- The Assumption: Mary, "when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son's Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body" (CCC, 974). (Luke 1:46-55)
- The crowning of Our Lady Queen of Heaven: Mary is crowned Queen of heaven and earth. (Revelation 12:1)