Joyful Mysteries

To be recited on Sundays (Advent and Christmas), Mondays, and Thursdays

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First Joyful Mystery

Fruit of the Mystery (choose one to ask for): Humility; Availability; Generosity

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Meditate in this Mystery, how the Archangel Gabriel announced to Our Blessed Lady, the Incarnation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and declared her "Full of Grace". Our Father.

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For each Hail Mary, meditate on each of the ten points:

1. The Archangel Gabriel appears to Mary

2. The angel tells Mary she is "Blessed among women."

3. The words of Gabriel cause Mary to wonder

4. The archangel tells her that she shall conceive and bear a Son

5. But she is totally consecrated to God

6. The angel explains: This shall be done miraculously by God

7. She accepts: "May it be done to me according to thy word"

8. The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity becomes man

9. Help me, O Lord, to know Thy Holy Will

10. Strengthen me, O Lord, to follow Thy inspirations

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O Holy Mary, through the Mystery of the Incarnation of thy Divine Son, wherein our Salvation was begun, obtain for us by thy intercession, light to understand the greatness of the benefits bestowed upon us, in vouchsafing to become our Mother. Glory Be.

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Second Joyful Mystery

Fruit of the Mystery: Love of neighbor; Kindness; Charity

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Meditate in this Mystery, how the Blessed Virgin went to see her cousin, St. Elizabeth, bearing her own Divine Son within her womb, and remained with her kinswoman for about three months. Our Father.

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1. The Angel Gabriel tells Mary that the aged Elizabeth is with child.

2. Because "nothing shall be impossible with God"

3. Out of charity, Mary goes to the aid of Elizabeth

4. Our Lady makes this difficult and long journey

5. Elizabeth exclaims: "Blessed is the fruit of thy womb"

6. At Mary's first words, St. John the Baptist is sanctified

7. Mary proclaims that all generations shall call her blessed

8. Our Lady stays about three months as a humble helper

9. Teach me, O Lord, to think more of the needs of others

10. And teach me to think less of my own ease and comfort

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O Holy Virgin, mirror of humility, by the charity which impelled thee to visit thy holy cousin, St. Elizabeth, obtain for us that our hearts, being freed from sin and visited by Thy Divine So, we may praise Him for ever. Glory Be.

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Third Joyful Mystery

Fruit of the Mystery:Poverty; Detachment from worldly things

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Meditate in this Mystery, how the Blessed Virgin brought forth Our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, at midnight and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for Him in the Inn at Bethlehem. Our Father.

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1. Caesar Augustus decrees a census; Our Lady and St. Joseph obey

2. There is no room for them in the inn at Bethlehem

3. The cradle for the King of Kinds is but a lowly manger

4. His first adorers are the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph and the lowly beasts

5. The angelic hosts proclaim: "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of good will"

6. Humble shepherds come to see God made man

7. Wise Men bring Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh

8. We all owe Jesus the Gold of adoration, the Incense of prayer and the Myrrh of self-denial

9. Teach me, O Lord, to despise earthly things and love those which are heavenly

10. And teach me, O Lord, to care more for my soul than for my body

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O most pure Mother of God, through thy virginal and joyful delivery, whereby thou gavest to the world thy only Son our Savior, we beseech thee, obtain for us, grace to lead such pure and holy lives in this world, that we may be able to sing without ceasing, the mercies of thy Son and His benefits to us by thee. Glory Be.

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Fourth Joyful Mystery

Fruit of the Mystery: Obedience to the law of God; Purity of body and soul

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Meditate in this Mystery, how the Blessed Virgin presented the child Jesus in the Temple, on the day of Her purification, and how Simeon in giving thanks to God with great devotion, received Him into his arms. Our Father.

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1. According to the Law of Moses, parents must offer their first-born for God's service

2. Our Lady brings her Divine Child to Jerusalem

3. St. Joseph carries, according to the Law, a pair of turtledoves as a sacrifice

4. The devout Simeon takes Our Lord into his arms

5. He proclaims Jesus as a light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of His people Israel

6. Those who reject Our Lord will be lost

7. A sword of sorrow will pierce Mary's soul

8. Holy Anna asserts Jesus is the Messias

9. O Lord, keep me ever devoted to thy service

10. And inspire me, O Lord, with respect for every just law

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O Holy Virgin, pattern and Mistress of obedience, who dist present in the Temple, the Lord of the Temple; obtain for us of thy Divine Son, that with holy Simeon and devout Anna we may praise Him for ever. Glory Be.

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Fifth Joyful Mystery

Fruit of the Mystery: Joy in finding Jesus; Union with God; True wisdom

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Meditate in this Mystery, how the Blessed Virgin, having lost the Child Jesus in Jerusalem, sought Him three days, and at length, found Him in the Temple. Our Father.

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1. At the age of twelve, Our Lord, according to the custom, comes to Jerusalem with Mary and Joseph and the menfolk.

2. When they leave, Mary thinks Jesus is with Joseph

3. Not finding Him, they return to Jerusalem

4. Filled with sorrow, they look everywhere for Jesus

5. His wisdom astonishes the learned doctors

6. Upon finding Him, Mary says: "Thy Father and I have sought Thee sorrowing."

7. Our Lord answers His Mother: "Did you know that I must be about my Father's business?"

8. In their humble home, Jesus is most obedient

9. Teach me, O Lord, by my duty of state, to do Thy Holy Will

10. May I seek thee often in the temple of my soul

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O Blessed Virgin, Queen of Martyrs and the comfort of those who are afflicted: by the great joy with which thy heart was filled on finding thy Divine Child teaching in the Temple, obtain of Him that we who seek Jesus, may always find Him and never more be separated from Him. Glory Be.

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Sorrowful Mysteries

To be recited on Sundays (Lent to Palm Sunday), Tuesdays, and Fridays

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First Sorrowful Mystery

Fruit of the Mystery: Sorrow for sin; A spirit of prayer; Conformity to God's Will

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Meditate in this Mystery, how Our Lord Jesus Christ was afflicted for us in the Garden of Gethsemane, His body was bathed in a sweat of blood, and in His agony, He prays: "Father, if Thou wilt, let this chalice pass from me, but not as I will, but as Thou wilt." Our Father.

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1. Our Divine Savior suffers much thinking about His Passion, which He is about to suffer

2. He bears the heavy burden of all of the world's sins

3. Our Lord's holy body is covered in a sweat of blood

4. Jesus prays: "Not as I will, but as Thou wilt."

5. Our Savior is alone in His suffering: "Could you not watch one hour with Me"

6. An angel is sent to comfort Him by His Father

7. An angry mob gathers in the garden

8. "Hail Rabbi!" The traitor Judas kisses Jesus

9. O Lord, draw me to Thyself when I am afflicted

10. Teach me to accept Thy wisdom in all my trials

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O Holy Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, by the ardent prayer which Our Savior poured forth to His Heavenly Father, vouchsafe to intercede for us, that our passions being made obedient to reason, we may always conform ourselves to the Holy Will of God. Glory Be.

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Second Sorrowful Mystery

Fruit of the Mystery: Purity; Meekness; Mortification of the senses

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Meditate in this Mystery, how Our Lord Jesus Christ was so cruelly scourged in Pilate's house, the number of stripes being innumerable. Our Father.

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1. Pilate tries to satisfy the hatred of the Jews

2. The Body of Our Lord is painfully stripped before the mob

3. Tight cords fasten His hands to a stone pillar

4. His torturers display unusual cruelty

5. The entire body of Our Divine Lord is bruised and bleeding

6. His faithful mother is a sad witness to this bloody scene

7. Our gentle Savior remains meek like a lamb

8. Pilate fails to arouse pity for Jesus

9. Teach me, O Lord, to master all my evil tendencies

10. And help me to form in my soul the spirit of self-denial

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O Mother of God, overflowing fountain of patience; through the stripes thy beloved Son suffered for us, obtain for Him grace for us to mortify our rebellious senses, to avoid the occasions of sin, and to be ready to suffer everything rather than offend God. Glory Be.

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Third Sorrowful Mystery

Fruit of the Mystery: Willingness to undergo humiliation to serve God; Contempt of the world

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Meditate in this Mystery, how the cruel soldiers platted a crown of sharp thorns and pressed it deeply onto the Sacred Head of Our Lord. Our Father.

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1. Jesus tells Pilate that His Kingdom is not of this world

2. His torturers make a mock King of Him

3. They press a Crown of sharp thorns upon His head

4. The soldiers give Jesus a reed as His scepter

5. They mock him with a faded purple cloak

6. These barbarians spit upon His face

7. They genuflect: "Hail, King of the Jews!"

8. Our humble Lord remains meekly silent

9. Teach me, O Lord, to overcome my vanity

10. Help me to be patient with those who offend me

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O Mother of God, by those sharp thorns wherewith the Sacred Head of thy Divine Son was pierced, we beseech thee, obtain for us that we may be delivered from all motions of pride and escape on the day of judgement the shame which our sins deserve. Glory Be.