The Catholic Calendar

Rosary Page

Updated 2003 MAR 04

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Joyful Mysteries - Sorrowful Mysteries - Glorious Mysteries - Luminous Mysteries

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Joyful Mysteries - Sorrowful Mysteries - Glorious Mysteries - Luminous Mysteries

To pray using the Rosary without the Luminous Mysteries, please use this On-Line Rosary

The Cycle of the Rosary

The Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries
The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Glorious Mysteries
The Luminous Mysteries

The Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary

The Prayers of the Rosary

Sign of the Cross
The Apostles' Creed
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory to the Father (Prayer of Praise)
Hail, Holy Queen

The Cycle of the Rosary

The Mystery for Sunday may optionally vary depending upon the seasons of the liturgical year.

The Joyful Mysteries may be said on Sundays during the seasons of Advent and Christmas.

During the season of Lent, the Sorrowful Mysteries may be said on Sundays.

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The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation to Mary

The Messenger of God Announces to Mary that she is to be the Mother of God. Humility
30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
- Luke 1:30-33

2. The Visitation of Mary

Mary visits and helps her cousin Elizabeth. Love of Neighbor
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
- Luke 1:41-42

3. The Nativity of Our Lord

Mary gives birth to Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem. Spirit of Poverty
10 The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For today, in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord"
- Luke 2:10-11

4. The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple

Jesus is presented in the Temple. Obedience to God's Will

29	"Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word,
30	for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31	which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
32	a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."

- Luke 2:29-32

5. The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple

Jesus is found in the Temple. Fidelity to Vocation, Joy in finding Jesus
48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." 49 And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
- Luke 2:48-52

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The Sorrowful Mysteries

1. The Agony in the Garden

Jesus undergoes his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Spirit of Prayer, Sorrow for Sin
38 Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me." 39 He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will."
- Matthew 26:38-39

2. The Scourging at the Pillar

Jesus is scourged at the pillar. Modesty and Purity
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged.
- John 19:1

3. The Crowning with Thorns

Jesus is crowned with thorns. Courage
16 The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. 17 They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him.
- Mark 15:16-17

4. The Carrying of the Cross

Jesus carries the cross to Calvary. Patience in Suffering
17 [A]nd carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.
- John 19:17

5. The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord on the Cross

Jesus dies on the cross for our sins. Self-denial, Perseverance
28 After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I thirst." 29 There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
- John 19:28-30

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The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection of Our Lord

Jesus rises from the dead. Faith
6 He said to them, "Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him. 7 But go and tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.'"
- Mark 16:6-7

2. The Ascension of Our Lord

Jesus ascends into heaven. Hope
10 While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."
- Acts 1:10-11

3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles

The Holy Spirit comes to the apostles and the Blessed Mother. Wisdom, Love of God, Zeal, Fortitude
1 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. 2 And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. 3 Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
- Acts 2:1-3

4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven

The Mother of Jesus is taken into heaven. Eternal Happiness, Grace of a Happy Death

3	As an apple tree among the trees of the woods,
	so is my lover among men.
	I delight to rest in his shadow,
	and his fruit is sweet to my mouth.
4	He brings me into the banquet hall
	and his emblem over me is love.
5	Strengthen me with raisin cakes,
	refresh me with apples,
	for I am faint with love.
6	His left hand is under my head
	and his right arm embraces me.

- Song of Songs 2:3-6

5. The Coronation of Our Lady as Queen of Heaven and Earth

Mary is crowned queen of heaven and earth. Devotion to Mary and Final Perseverance, Trust in Mary's Intercession
46 And Mary said,

	"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
47	my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
48	For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness;
	behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed."

- Luke 1:46-48

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The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism in the Jordan

Jesus is baptized in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. Openness to the Holy Spirit
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" 15 Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. 16 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. 17 And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
- Matthew 3:13-17

2. The Self-Manifestation of Our Lord at the wedding of Cana

Jesus changes water into wine and opens the hearts of the disciples to faith. To Jesus through Mary
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4 [And] Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." 5  His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it. 9 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 10 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." 11 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

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with the Call to Conversion

Jesus preaches about the Kingdom of God and calls for conversion. Repentance and Trust in God
14 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 15 "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
- Mark 1:14-15

4. The Transfiguration

Jesus is transfigured before the disciples. Desire for Holiness
29 While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.
- Luke 9:29

5. The Institution of the Eucharist

Christ offers his body and blood as food under the signs of bread and wine. Adoration
19 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." 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you."
- Luke 22:19-20

Excerpts from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Psalms Copyright © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

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The Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary

Given to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary.
3. The rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the rosary, shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the rosary.
10. The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.
12. All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of predestination.

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The Prayers of the Rosary

AMEN.

Said while making the sign of the Cross by moving the right hand from the forehead to the chest, to the left shoulder, then to the right shoulder.

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The Apostles' Creed

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

AMEN.

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Our Father

Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

(For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever.)

AMEN.

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Hail Mary

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

AMEN.

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Glory to the Father
(Prayer of Praise)

AMEN.

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O My Jesus
(Requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima)

AMEN.

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Hail, Holy Queen

To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

Response:
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ, Let us pray; O God, whose only begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech you, that meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise.

Through the same Christ our Lord.

AMEN.

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References

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Updated 2003 MAR 04

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