What are the Mysteries of the Rosary?

The Rosary is more than just a string of beads—it's a journey through the life of Jesus with the guidance of His mother, Mary. At the heart of this prayer are the Mysteries of the Rosary, which help us meditate on major events in salvation history.

What are the Mysteries?

There are four sets of Mysteries:

1. Joyful

2. Sorrowful

3. Glorious

4. Luminous (added by St. John Paul II in 2002)

Each set contains five Mysteries, and each one corresponds to a decade of the Rosary.

1. Joyful Mysteries (Prayed on Mondays & Saturdays)

These focus on Jesus’ early life and Mary’s “yes” to God:

• The Annunciation

• The Visitation

• The Nativity

• The Presentation

• The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

2. Sorrowful Mysteries (Prayed on Tuesdays & Fridays)

These draw us into Christ’s Passion:

• The Agony in the Garden

• The Scourging at the Pillar

• The Crowning with Thorns

• The Carrying of the Cross

• The Crucifixion

3. Glorious Mysteries (Prayed on Wednesdays & Sundays)

These celebrate Christ’s Resurrection and our eternal hope:

• The Resurrection

• The Ascension

• The Descent of the Holy Spirit

• The Assumption of Mary

• The Coronation of Mary

4. Luminous Mysteries (Prayed on Thursdays)

These focus on Jesus’ public ministry:

• The Baptism in the Jordan

• The Wedding at Cana

• The Proclamation of the Kingdom

• The Transfiguration

• The Institution of the Eucharist

Why Meditate on the Mysteries?

The Mysteries allow us to:

• Deepen our understanding of Jesus' life

• Draw closer to Mary, who perfectly followed Christ

• Transform our prayer life from repetition into contemplation

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