The Mysteries of the Rosary

1st Mystery

Whom Thou, O Virgin, didst conceive of the Holy Spirit

The angel came to her and said: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you … And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High …” And Mary said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:28-38)

We offer You, O Lord Jesus Christ, this mystery of the Incarnation in the womb of Your Mother, and through her intercession we ask You for deep humility and the readiness for all that God wants of us.

2nd Mystery

Whom Thou, O Virgin, didst carry to Elizabeth

Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah … and greeted Elizabeth … And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Lk 1:39-42)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, a self-sacrificing love of neighbor.

3rd Mystery

Whom Thou, O Virgin, didst give birth to in Bethlehem

She gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Lk 2:7)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, the spirit of childlikeness and the love of simplicity and poverty.

4th Mystery

Whom Thou, O Virgin, didst present in the Temple

They brought the Child up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord … Simeon took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” (Lk 2:22-32)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, purity of body and soul and the grace always to confess Christ faithfully.

5th Mystery

Whom Thou, O Virgin, didst find again in the Temple

After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. (Lk 2:46-47)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, an intimate union with Jesus and the grace to grow ever more in His love.

1st Mystery

Who sweated blood for us

He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed: “Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done!” … And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. (Lk 22:41-45)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, deep contrition for our sins.

2nd Mystery

Who was scourged for us

“Will you have me release for you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again: “Not this man, but Barabbas!” … Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. (Jn 18:39-40; 19:1)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, the spirit of penance and mortification.

3rd Mystery

Who was crowned with thorns for us

The soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and arrayed Him in a purple robe; they came up to Him, saying: “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck Him with their hands. (Jn 19:2-3)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, detachment from the spirit of the world and from our own will.

4th Mystery

Who carried the heavy Cross for us

He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. (Jn 19:17-18)

If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. (Lk 9:23)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, patience in suffering and adversity.

5th Mystery

Who was crucified for us

When the soldiers came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead … one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. (Jn 19:33-34)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, true conversion and the forgiving love of Jesus.

1st Mystery

Who rose from the dead

An angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. The angel said to the women: “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has risen, as He said.” (Mt 28:2-6)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, a living faith and apostolic zeal.

2nd Mystery

Who ascended into heaven

And He said to them: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.” … So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. (Mk 16:15, 19-20)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, a great longing for heaven.

3rd Mystery

Who sent us the Holy Spirit

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind … And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1-4)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, the graces of the Holy Spirit and a great zeal for prayer.

4th Mystery

Who assumed Thee, O Virgin, into heaven

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” (Lk 1:46-48)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, a blessed death.

5th Mystery

Who crowned Thee, O Virgin, in heaven

A great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Rev 12:1)

Through this mystery obtain for us, O Mary, a great love for Thee, our Lady and Queen, and the grace of perseverance in Thy service.