What are the 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. The four categories are the Joyful Mysteries, the Luminous Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, and the Glorious Mysteries. Traditionally Catholics pray a specific set of mysteries on certain days of the week.
The Glorious Mysteries – Prayed Sunday and Wednesday
The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Jesus
The Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Jesus
The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary
The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
The Joyful Mysteries – Prayed Monday and Saturday
The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
The Third Joyful Mystery: The Birth of Jesus
The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
The Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
The Sorrowful Mysteries – Prayed Tuesday and Friday
The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
The Luminous Mysteries – Prayed Thursday
The First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordon
The Second Luminous Mystery: The Wedding Feast at Cana
The Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
The Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist
Tips for Praying the Mysteries of the Rosary
1. Pick a set of mysteries.
2. Relax. It is easy to fall into the trap of trying so hard to do it all right, using the right prayers, speaking the right words, reflecting well on the mysteries, and all the other aspects of the Rosary. Remember it is the disposition of our heart that matters most. Don’t miss out on the peace that Jesus and Mary want to flood our hearts with when you pray the Rosary.
3. Ask Mary to guide you. Place your heart in the loving presence of Mary. Allow her to comfort you and love you. Your mind will follow your heart. Remember Mary offers a unique perspective as Jesus’ mother. Nobody sees the life of a child the way the child’s mother does—not even the father. In the Rosary we ponder the life of Jesus through the eyes of his mother. This is an incredibly powerful experience if we enter into it fully.
4. As you meditate on the mysteries, allow the words of the prayers to float by subconsciously. The beads will help you keep your place
5. Get lost in the scene. Imagine yourself there, at Jesus’ side. Place yourself in the scene, not as a fly on the wall, but as a very specific person so you can fully immerse yourself into the situation and explore what you would have been thinking and feeling if you were there.