The practice of a scriptural rosary dates back the Middle Ages. The idea behind the scriptural rosary is to meditate on the life and events of Jesus and Mary. Most of the meditations are taken directly from scripture. These meditations are intended on helping you focus on the different mysteries as you are praying them, and enter deeper into prayer. This particular version was written for both individual and group prayer a”/” mark divides the leader and the response, similar to the way the Angelus is prayed. To download an mp3 version of the Scriptural Rosary click here.

Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation

The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation

Our Father…

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a virgin; / and the virgin’s name was Mary. (Luke 1:26,27)

Hail Mary…

‘Rejoice, so lightly favored! / The Lord is with you’ (Luke 1:28)

Hail Mary…

She was deeply disturbed by these words / and asked herself what this greeting could mean. (Luke 1:29)

Hail Mary…

But the angel said to her, ‘Mary do not be afraid; / you have found God’s favor.’ (Luke 1:30)

Hail Mary…

‘Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, / and you must name him Jesus.’ (Luke 1:31)

Hail Mary…

‘He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; / and his reign will have no end.’ (Luke 1:32,33)

Hail Mary…

Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, / since I am a virgin?’ (Luke 1:34)

Hail Mary…

‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you / and the power of the Most High will cover you with it’s shadow.’ (Luke 1:35)

Hail Mary…

‘I am the handmaid of the Lord.’ said Mary / ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ (Luke 1:38)

Hail Mary…

Glory Be…

The Visitation

The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation

Our Father…

Mary set out at that time and went to the hill country. / And she went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. (Luke 1:41)

Hail Mary…

Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb / and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41)

She gave a loud cry and said, ‘of all women you are the most blessed, / and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’ (Luke 1:42)

Hail Mary…

‘Yes blessed is she who believed / that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ (Luke 1:45)

Hail Mary…

And Mary said: ‘my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my savior; / because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.’ (Luke 1:46-48)

Hail Mary…

‘Yes from this day forward all generation will call me blessed, / for the Almighty has done great things for me.’ (Luke 1:48, 49)

Hail Mary…

‘Holy is his name, / and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.’ (Luke 1:49, 50)

Hail Mary…

‘He has shown the power of his arm, /he has routed the proud of heart.’ (Luke 1:51)

Hail Mary…

‘He has pulled down princes from their thrones / and exalted the lowly.’ (Luke 1:53)

Hail Mary…

‘The hungry he has filled with good things, /the rich he has sent away empty.’ (Luke 1:53)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Nativity

The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity

Our Father…

Now while Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem / the time came for he to have her child (Luke 2:6)

Hail Mary…

And she gave birth to a son, her firstborn, / and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes (Luke 2:7)

Hail Mary…

And she laid him in a manger / because there was no room for them at the inn. (Luke 2:7)

Hail Mary…

In the countryside close by there were shepherds / and the angel of the Lord appeared to them. (Luke 2:8, 9)

Hail Mary…

‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, / a joy to be shared by the whole people.’ (Luke 2:10)

Hail Mary…

‘Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; / he is Christ the Lord.’ (Luke 2:11)

Hail Mary…

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, / and peace to men who enjoy his favor.’ (Luke 2:14)

Hail Mary…

And some wise men came from the Far East, / and going in they saw the child with his mother Mary. (Matt 2:1,11)

Hail Mary…

And falling to their knees they did him homage. / Then they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matt 2:11)

Hail Mary…

And Mary kept in mind all these things / and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Presentation

The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation

Our Father…

Observing the Law of Moses they took Jesus up to Jerusalem / to present him to the Lord. (Luke 2:22)

Hail Mary…

Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. / He was an upright and devout man. (Luke 2:25)

Hail Mary…

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death / until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. (Luke 2:26)

Hail Mary…

And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, he took him into his arms / and blessed God. (Luke 2:27, 28)

Hail Mary…

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, / just as you promised.’ (Luke 2:29)

Hail Mary…

‘Because my eyes have seen the salvation / which you have prepared for all the nations to see.’ (Luke 2:30, 31)

Hail Mary…

‘A light to enlighten the pagans / and the glory of your people Israel.’ (Luke 2:32)

Hail Mary…

And he said to Mary his mother, “You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, / destined to be a sign that is rejected.’ (Luke 2:34)

Hail Mary…

‘And a sword will pierce your own soul too-/ so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’ (Luke 2:35)

Hail Mary…

And they went back to Nazareth, and the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; / and God’s favor was with him. (Luke 2:39,40)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Our Father…

When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem / for the feast of the Passover. (Luke 2:41, 42)

Hail Mary…

When they were on their way home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem / without his parents knowing it. (Luke 2:43)

They went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere. / Three days later they found him in the Temple. (Luke 2:45,46)

Hail Mary…

He was sitting among the doctors, / listening to them, and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46)

Hail Mary…

And all those that heard him were astounded / at his intelligence and his replies. (Luke 2:47)

Hail Mary…

‘My child, why have you done this to us? / See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ (Luke 2:48)

Hail Mary…

‘Why were you looking for me? / Did you not know that I must be busy with my father’s affairs?’ (Luke 2:49)

Hail Mary…

But they did not understand / what he meant. (Luke 2:50)

Hail Mary…

He then went down with them and came to Nazareth / and lived under their authority. (Luke 2:51)

Hail Mary…

And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favor / with God and men. (Luke 2:52)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden

The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden

Our Father…

Jesus came with them to Gethsemane. / And sadness came over him, and great distress. (Matt 26:36, 37)

Hail Mary…

Then he said, ‘My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. / Wait here and keep awake with me.’ (Matt 26:38)

Hail Mary…

Then he withdrew from them, / and knelt down and prayed. (Luke 22:41)

Hail Mary…

Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. / Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.’ (Luke 22:42)

Hail Mary…

Then an angel appeared before him, coming from heaven to give him strength. (Luke 22:43)

Hail Mary…

In his anguish / he prayed even more earnestly. (Luke 22:44)

Hail Mary…

And his sweat fell to the ground / like great drops of blood. (Luke 22:44)

Hail Mary…

Then He came back to his disciples and found them sleeping, / and he said, ‘So you had not the strength to keep awake with me one hour?’ (Matt 26:40)

Hail Mary…

‘You should be awake, / and be praying not to be put to the test.’ (Matt 26:41)

Hail Mary…

‘The spirit is willing, / but the flesh is weak.’ (Matt 26:41)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Scourging at the Pillar

The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar

Our Father…

They had Jesus bound and handed him over to Pilate. / Pilate questioned him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ (Mark 15:1-2)

Hail Mary…

Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world; / but yes, I am a king.’ (John 18:36-37)

Hail Mary…

‘I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; / and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’ (John 18:37)

Hail Mary…

Truth?’ said Pilate, ‘What is that?’ / and with that he went out again to the Jews and said, ‘I find no case against him.’ (John 18:38)

Hail Mary…

‘So I shall have him flogged and then let him go.’ / Pilate then had Jesus taken away and scourged. (Luke 23:16, John 19:1)

Hail Mary…

Despised and rejected by men, / a man of sorrows. (Isaiah 53:3)

Hail Mary…

Harshly dealt with, he bore it humbly, / like a lamb that is led to the slaughterhouse.
Isaiah 53:7

Hail Mary…

Yet he was pierced through for our faults, / crushed for our sins. (Isaiah 53:5)

Hail Mary…

Ours were the sufferings he bore, / ours the sorrows he carried. (Isaiah 53:4)

Hail Mary…

On him lies a punishment that brings us peace, / and through his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Crowning of Thorns

The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns

Our Father…

The soldiers led him away to the Praetorium. / Then they stripped him and dressed him up in purple. (Mark 15:16-17, Matt 27:28)

Hail Mary…

And having twisted some thorns into a crown they put this on his head / and placed a reed in his right hand. (Matt 27:29)

Hail Mary…

To make fun of him they knelt to him / saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ (Matt 27:29)

Hail Mary…

And they spat on him / and took the reed and struck him on the head. (Matt 27:30)

Hail Mary…

Then Pilate took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd / and said, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your concern.’ (Matt 27:24)

Hail Mary…

Jesus then came out / wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. (John 19:5)

Hail Mary…

‘Here is your king,’ said Pilate. / ‘Take him away!’ they said. ‘Crucify him!’ (John 19:15)

Hail Mary…

‘Why, what harm has he done?’ / But they shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify him!’ (Mark 15:14)

Hail Mary…

‘Do you want me to crucify your king?’ / The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king except Caesar.’ (John 19:15)

Hail Mary …

So Pilate, anxious to placate the crowd, / handed him over to be crucified. (Mark 15:15)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Carrying of the Cross

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross

Our Father…

‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, / let him renounce himself.’ (Luke 9:23)

Hail Mary…

‘And take up his cross every day / and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23)

Hail Mary…

And carrying his own cross / they led him out to crucify him. (John 19:16; Mark 15:21)

Hail Mary…

And they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, / and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)

Hail Mary…

‘Shoulder my yoke / and learn from me.’ (Matt 11:29)

Hail Mary…

‘For I am gentle / and humble in heart.’ (Matt 11:29)

Hail Mary…

‘And you will find rest for your souls. / Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’ (Matt 11:29-30)

Hail Mary…

Large numbers of people followed him, / and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him. (Luke 23:27)

Hail Mary…

But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; / weep rather for yourselves and for your children.’ (Luke 23:28)

Hail Mary…

‘For if men use the green wood like this, / what will happen when it is dry?’ (Luke 23:31)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Crucifixion

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion

Our Father…

When they reached the place called The Skull, / they crucified him. (Luke 23:33)

Hail Mary…

Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; / they do not know what they are doing.‘ (Luke 23:34)

Hail Mary…

One of the criminals crucified with him said, ‘Jesus, remember me / when you come into your kingdom.’ (Luke 23:39, 42; Mark 15:32)

Hail Mary…

‘Indeed, I promise you,’ he replied / ‘today you will be with me in paradise.’ (Luke 23:43)

Hail Mary…

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother / and the disciple he loved. (John 19:25-26)

Hail Mary…

Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ / Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ (John 19:26-27)

Hail Mary…

And from that moment / the disciple made a place for her in his home. (John 19:27)

Hail Mary…

And a darkness came over the whole land, and the earth quaked; / and the veil of the Temple was torn in two. (Luke 23:44; Matthew 27:51)

Hail Mary…

And Jesus cried out in a loud voice, / ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ (Luke 23:46)

Hail Mary…

And bowing his head / he breathed his last. (John 19:30, Luke 23:46)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection

The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection

Our Father …

‘I tell you most solemnly, you will be sorrowful, / but your sorrow will turn to joy.’ (John 16:20)

Hail Mary …

‘For I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, / and that joy no one shall take from you.’ (John 16:22)

Hail Mary …

At the first sign of dawn, they went to the tomb / with the spices they had prepared. (Luke 24:1)

Hail Mary …

And all at once the angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, / came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. (Matt 28:2)

Hail Mary …

‘I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. / He is not here.’ (Matt 28:5-6)

Hail Mary …

‘He has risen from the dead. / Come and see the place where he lay.‘ (Luke 24:6; Matt 28:6-7)

Hail Mary …

‘And now he is going before you to Galilee; / it is there you will see him.’ (Matt 28:7)

Hail Mary …

And the women came out from the tomb / filled with awe and great joy. (Mark 16:8; Matt 28:8)

Hail Mary …

‘I am the resurrection and the life. / If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live.’ (John 11:25)

Hail Mary …

‘And whoever lives and believes in me / will never die.’ (John 11:26)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension
Our Father …

Jesus took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, / and lifting up his hands he blessed them. (Luke 24:50)

Hail Mary …

He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth / has been given to me.’ (Matt 28:18)

Hail Mary …

‘Go, therefore / make disciples of all the nations.’ (Matt 28:19)

Hail Mary …

‘Baptize them / in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ (Matt 28:19)

Hail Mary …

‘And teach them to observe / all the commands I gave you.’ (Matt 28:20)

Hail Mary …

‘He who believes and is baptized / will be saved.’ (Mark 16:16)

Hail Mary …

‘He who does not believe will be condemned.’ (Mark 16:16)

Hail Mary …

‘And know that I am with you always; / yes, to the end of time. (Matt 28:20)

Hail Mary …

As he said this he was lifted up, / and a cloud took him from their sight. (Acts 1:9)

Hail Mary …

And so the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven; / there at the right hand of God he took his place. (Mark 16:19)

Hail Mary…

Glory be …

Coming of the Holy Spirit

The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit

Our Father …

When Pentecost day came around, / they had all met in one room. (Acts 2:1)

Hail Mary …

Suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, / the noise of which filled the entire house. (Acts 2:2)

Hail Mary …

And something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; / these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. (Acts 2:3)

Hail Mary …

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, / and began to speak about the marvels of God. (Acts 2:4, 11)

Hail Mary …

Now there were devout men living in Jerusalem / from every nation under heaven. (Acts 2:5)

Hail Mary …

And Peter stood up with the Eleven / and addressed them in a loud voice. (Acts 2:14)

Hail Mary …

‘Repent and be baptized, / and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ (Acts 2:38)

Hail Mary …

And they accepted what he said and were baptized. / That very day about three thousand were added to their number. (Acts 2:41)

Hail Mary …

Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created; / and you shall renew the face of the earth. (Pentecost Alleluia)

Hail Mary …

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful; / and kindle in them the fire of your love. (Pentecost Alleluia)

Hail Mary…

Glory be …

The Assumption

The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption

Our Father …

‘Come then, my love, / my lovely one, come. (Songs 2:10)

Hail Mary …

‘For see, winter is past, / the rains are over and gone.’ (Songs 2:11)

Hail Mary …

‘Show me your face, let me hear your voice; / for your voice is sweet and your face is beautiful. (Songs 2:14)

Hail Mary …

And the sanctuary of God in heaven opened. / Then came flashes of lightning and peals of thunder. (Revelations 11:19)

Hail Mary …

Now a great sign appeared in heaven; / a woman, adorned with the sun. (Revelations 12:1)

Hail Mary …

She was standing on the moon, / with the twelve stars on her head for a crown. (Revelations 12:1)

Hail Mary …

With jewels set in gold, and dressed in brocades, / the king’s daughter is led in to the king. (Psalm 45:13-14)

Hail Mary …

May you be blessed, my daughter, by God Most High, / beyond all women on earth. (Judith 13:23)

Hail Mary …

The trust you have shown shall not pass from the memories of men, / but shall ever remind them of the power of God. (Judith 13:25)

Hail Mary …

You are the glory of Jerusalem! You are the great pride of Israel! / You are the highest honor of our people! (Judith 15:10)

Hal Mary…

Glory be …

The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation

Our Father …

Who is this arising like the dawn, / fair as the moon, resplendent as the sun? (Songs 6:10)

Hail Mary …

Like the rainbow gleaming against brilliant clouds, / like blossoms in the days of spring. (Ecclus 50:7-8)

Hail Mary …

‘I am the rose of Sharon, / I am the lily of the valleys.’ (Songs 2:1)

Hail Mary …

‘My throne is in a pillar of cloud, / and for eternity I shall remain.’ (Ecclus 24:4,9)

Hail Mary …

‘Approach me, you who desire me, / and take your fill of my fruits.’ (Ecclus 24:19)

Hail Mary …

‘I am like a vine putting out graceful shoots, / my blossoms are sweeter than honey.’ (Ecclus 24:17,20)

Hail Mary …

‘And now, my children, listen to me; / listen to instruction and learn to be wise.’ (Proverbs 8:32-33)

Hail Mary …

‘Happy are those who keep my ways, / who day after day watch at my gates.’ (Proverbs 8:32,34)

Hail Mary …

‘For those who find me find life, / and win favor from the Lord.’ (Proverbs 8:35)

Hail Mary …

Hail, Queen of Mercy, protect us from the enemy, / and receive us at the hour of death. (Queenship of the B.V.M. Gradual)

Hail Mary…

Glory be …

Luminous Mysteries

Baptism in the Jordan

The First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism in the Jordan

Our Father…

“I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.” (Matt 3:11)

Hail Mary…

“I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.” (Luke 3:16)

Hail Mary…

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matt 3:11)

Hail Mary…

“His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Luke 3:17)

Hail Mary…

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.” (Matt 3:13)

Hail Mary…

“John tried to prevent him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?’ (Matt 3:14)

Hail Mary…

“Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ “ (Matt 3:15)

Hail Mary…

“After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him.” (Matt 3:16)

Hail Mary…

“And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matt 3:17)

Hail Mary…

“Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” (John 1:34)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Wedding at Cana

The Second Luminous Mystery: The Miracle at the Wedding of Cana

Our Father…

“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.” (John 2:1-2)

Hail Mary…

“When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ ” (John 2:3)

Hail Mary…

“[And] Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4)

Hail Mary…

“His mother said to the servers, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ “ (John 2:5)

Hail Mary…

“Now there were six stone jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons.” (John 2:6)

Hail Mary…

“Jesus told them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ So they filled them to the brim.” (John 2:7)

Hail Mary…

“Then he told them, ‘Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.’ So they took it.” (John 2:8)

Hail Mary…

“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” (John 2:9)

Hail Mary…

“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.’ “ (John 2:10)

Hail Mary…

“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 2:11)

Hail Mary…

Glory be …

Proclamation of the Kingdom

The Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom

Our Father…

“He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it is written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.’ “ (Luke 4:16-18)

Hail Mary…

“He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Hail Mary…

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

Hail Mary…

“Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5)

Hail Mary…

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Hail Mary…

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.” (John 4:36)

Hail Mary…

“Now someone approached him and said, ‘Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?’ He answered him, ‘Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.“ (Matt 19:16-17)

Hail Mary…

“And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.” (Matt 19:29)

Hail Mary…

“Jesus said to him, ‘what is written in the law? How do you read it?’ He said in reply, ‘You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’ He replied to him, ‘You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.’ “ (Luke 10:25)

Hail Mary…

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all his angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ “ (Matt 26:31, 33-34)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

The Transfiguration

The Fourth Luminous Mystery:  The Transfiguration

Our Father…

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.” (Mark 9:2)

Hail Mary…

“And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.” (Mark 9:2-3)

Hail Mary…

“Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.” (Mark 9:4)

Hail Mary…

“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.” (Mark 9:5)

Hail Mary…

“While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.“ (Luke 9:34)

Hail Mary…

“Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ “ (Matt 17:5)

Hail Mary…

“When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid.” (Matt 17:6)

Hail Mary…

“But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and do not be afraid.’ ” (Matt 17:7)

Hail Mary…

“And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.” (Matt 17:8)

Hail Mary…

“As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, ‘Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ “ (Matt 17:9)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

Institution of the Eucharist

The Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist

Our Father…

“Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ “ (John 6:32-33)

Hail Mary…

“So they said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (John 6:34-35)

Hail Mary…

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.” (John 6:47-50)

Hail Mary…

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)

Hail Mary…

“The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?’ “ (John 6:52)

Hail Mary…

“Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, amen I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.’ ” (John 6:53)

Hail Mary…

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” (John 6:54-55)

Hail Mary…

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.”
(John 6:56-57)

Hail Mary…

“This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:58)

Hail Mary…

“Then many of his disciples who were listening said, ‘this saying is hard; who can accept it?’ As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, ‘Do you also want to leave?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life.’ “ (John 6:60, 66-68)

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

This version of the Rosary  calls to mind the seven sorrows Mary endured with love and compassion. Although this prayer began in the middle ages it has more recently become well known because of it’s connections to the Marian Apparitions to Marie-Claire Mukangango in Kibeho Rwanda. In her Apparitions Mary promised that if we sincerely prayed this rosary  we would receive Christ’s forgiveness, and over time grant us an awareness of our sins and the strength to overcome them. Traditionally this prayer is said on Tuesdays (the first day Mary appeared to Marie-Claire) and Fridays. (The day of Christ’s death) In her Apparitions Mary also explained that this prayer in no way was intended to replace The Holy Rosary, but be said in addition to it.

Seven Graces

It was revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden that seven graces are given to those who meditate on her sorrows and pray the Hail Mary.

1. I will grant peace to their families.
2. They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
3. I will console them in their pains, and I will accompany them in their work.
4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy, and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death; they will see the face of their mother.
7. I have obtained (this grace) from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.

How to Pray The Rosary of Seven Sorrows

Introduction

My God, I offer You this rosary for Your glory, so I  may honor Your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, so I can share and meditate upon her suffering. I humbly beg You to give me true repentance for all my sins. Give me wisdom and humility so that I may receive all the indulgences contained in this prayer.

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend You, my God, You Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

Before each Sorrow

Most merciful mother, remind us always of the sorrows of your son, Jesus

After each Sorrow

Pray one “Our Father” Pray seven “Hail Marys”

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Pray one “Our Father”, one “Hail Mary”, and one “Glory Be”.

Conclusion

Queen of Martyrs, your heart suffered so much. I beg you, by the merits of the tears you shed in these terrible and sorrowful times, to obtain for me and all the sinners of the world the grace of complete sincerity and repentance. Amen.

Mary, who was conceived without sin and who suffered for us, pray for us. (x3)

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Prophecy of Simeon

(Luke 2:22-35)

The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Flight into Egypt

(Matthew 2:13-15)

The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Loss of Jesus in the Temple

(Luke 2:41-52)

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary

(Luke 23:27-31)

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: Mary Stands at the Foot of the Cross

(John 19:25-27)

The Sixth Sorrowful Mystery: Mary Receives the Dead Body of Jesus in Her Arms

(John 19:38-40)

The Seventh Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus Is Placed in the Tomb

(John 19:41-42)

Guide to the Rosary

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the “Apostles Creed”.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come 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 life everlasting. Amen.

2. Say the “Our Father”.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.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. Amen.

3. Say Three “Hail Marys”

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

4. Say one “Glory Be”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

5. Announce the First Mystery; then say the “Our Father”.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.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. Amen.

6. Say 10 “Hail Marys”.

7. Say 1 “Glory Be” Then Announce the Second Mystery and say an “Our Father”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.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. Amen.

After the Rosary:

HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. 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 Thee, 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.

*The Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima requested that we say the following prayer after each decade: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.”

Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries

Monday and Saturday

1. The Annunciation
   Mary learns that she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus.
2. The Visitation
   Mary visits Elizabeth, who tells her that she will always be remembered.
3. The Nativity
   Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem.
4. The Presentation
   Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the Temple to present him to God.
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
   Jesus is found in the Temple discussing his faith with the teachers.

The Luminous Mysteries

Thursday

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
   God proclaims that Jesus is his beloved Son.
2. The Wedding Feast at Cana
   At Mary’s request, Jesus performs his first miracle.
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
   Jesus calls all to conversion and service to the Kingdom.
4. The Transfiguration of Jesus
   Jesus is revealed in glory to Peter, James, and John.
5. The Institution of the Eucharist
   Jesus offers his Body and Blood at the Last Supper.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Tuesday and Friday

1. The Agony in the Garden
   Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before he dies.
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
   Jesus is lashed with whips.
3. The Crowning With Thorns
   Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns.
4. The Carrying of the Cross
   Jesus carries the cross that will be used to crucify him.
5. The Crucifixion
   Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies.

The Glorious Mysteries

Wednesday and Sunday

1. The Resurrection
   God the Father raises Jesus from the dead.
2. The Ascension
   Jesus returns to his Father in heaven.
3. The Coming of the Holy Spirit
   The Holy Spirit comes to bring new life to the disciples.
4. The Assumption of Mary
   At the end of her life on earth, Mary is taken body and soul into heaven.
5. The Coronation of Mary
   Mary is crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth.

OUR LADY OF MEDJUGORJE’S MESSAGE OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2009

“Dear children, with joy, persistently work on your conversion. Offer all your joys and sorrows to my Immaculate Heart that I may lead you all to my most beloved Son, so that you may find joy in His Heart. I am with you to instruct you and to lead you towards eternity. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

The Power of the Holy Rosary

A. A Call to Prayer: “With joy work persistently on your conversion.”

Coming just before October, month of the Holy Rosary, and near the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7), it is fairly easy to detect in this message echoes of Our Lady of Fatima where she asked us to pray the Rosary (“joys and sorrows”) and to consecrate ourselves to her Immaculate Heart. Therefore, when she calls us to “conversion” she is asking us to change and improve the way we pray the Holy Rosary. This is consonant with her remark that her messages are just commentaries on what Our Lord says in the Gospel and through the Sacred Liturgy.

1. Joy. Ivan has always insisted with me that “Our Lady brings good things. She comes as Our Lady of Peace. She also told me that she comes as Our Lady of   Mercy too. Therefore she brings hope, which is so much needed today.” History attests (Lepanto, Vienna, Fatima, Austria) to the power of her intercession to bring   peace. So we should pray with joy, knowing that as we pray the Rosary with her we are achieving peace.

2. Persistence. In Our Lord’s commentary on prayer as presented by Luke 11:5, He uses the word “persistence” as the main spirit of our prayer, because, we are going to receive what we ask for. “I tell you ask…seek…knock….” Confidence in God inspires us to persist.

3. Conversion. All our graces come through prayer, so also the grace of conversion. Motivated by the great gift of peace coming, Our Lady wants us to increase our Faith, firm up our confidence, and make our trust total.

B. With Mary: “Offer all your joys and sorrows to my Immaculate Heart.”

Our Lady wants us to unite all of our sentiments and dispositions with her and those of her Son, so that we share their feelings experienced in the Joyful and Sorrowful Mysteries. She adds that if we do this, her Son will change all our sorrows into joys. By so doing, we begin to live their life.

1. Our joys are to be united with the joys of Jesus and Mary in the Joyful Mysteries.

a. The Annunciation gives us the joy of receiving. Jesus comes again to save us and to bring us the wealth of His merits. As St. Francis de Sales says: “We should give Jesus the biggest welcome we can muster.”

b. The Visitation graces us with the joy of giving. Having experienced the joy of the presence of Jesus in our hearts, we will gladly want to share this great blessing with all we meet.

c. The Birth of Our Lord reveals to us the joy of total dependence on Mary. Jesus wants us to experience the great joy of receiving the maternal care that He received by submitting Himself completely to her care.

d. The Presentation helps us with the joy of obedience. Our Blessed Mother knows everyone’s mission in life and she awaits our complete docility to her guidance in her efforts to present us as a gift to the Father.

e. The Finding in the Temple manifests the joy of growing with Mary as our Educator. Jesus obediently submitted Himself to a life of union with Mary at Nazareth, where she taught Him to pray and grow in wisdom and grace.

2. Our sorrows are to be united with the sorrows of Jesus and Mary in the Sorrowful Mysteries.

a. The Agony in the Garden shows us the sorrow for sin that we should have. The compunction we have consoles Jesus in the hour of His greatest sorrow.

b. The Scourging brings home to us the sorrow for the pain we caused Jesus. Our fasting and little sacrifices ease the pain that Jesus still suffers.

c. The Crowing with Thorns reminds us of the sorrow for wounding Jesus. Jesus said: “Those closest to Me wound me the most in this Mystery.”

d. The Carrying of the Cross recalls the sorrow of the burden we put on Jesus.By fulfilling the Will of God and our duties of state, we ease the burden.

e. The Crucifixion reveals the sorrow of dying where Jesus gave His all for us.

-Rev. Robert Hughes, S.M.