THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES

First Joyful Mystery – The Annunciation
Spiritual Fruit - Humility
Of all women, God prepared Mary from her conception to be the Mother of the Incarnate Word. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

Second Joyful Mystery – The Visitation
Spiritual Fruit – Love of Neighbor
Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, conceives in her old age…for nothing is impossible with God. Mary serves her cousin in humility for three months until the birth of John the Baptist.

Third Joyful Mystery – The Nativity
Spiritual Fruit– Poverty of Spirit
In the stillness of the night, the Savior is born in a manger; Mary remains a Virgin.
Shepherds pay homage to the Infant in the stable; the Magi come to adore Him and give gifts.

Fourth Joyful Mystery –The Presentation
Spiritual Fruit – Purity of Mind and Body
Observing the Law of Moses, they take Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord. After they fulfill all the law requires, they return to Nazareth.

Fifth Joyful Mystery – The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Spiritual Fruit–Obedience
At the end of the first day’s journey, Mary and Joseph discover Jesus is missing.
They find Jesus in the temple. Because He is subject to them, He goes with them to Nazareth

THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

First Sorrowful Mystery – The Agony in the Garden
Spiritual Fruit – God’s Will Be Done
Jesus sees the sins of all mankind, whose guilt He has taken upon Himself.
Jesus asks, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet, not My will but Your will be done.

Second Sorrowful Mystery – The Scourging at the Pillar
Spiritual Fruit – Mortification of the Senses
The Jewish leaders take Jesus before Pilate, for only he can impose the death penalty.
Jesus is bound to a pillar and cruelly scourged until His whole body is covered with deep wounds.

Third Sorrowful Mystery – The Crowning with Thorns
Spiritual Fruit – Reign of Christ in our Heart
Pilate asks, “Are you a king?” Jesus answers, “I am a King, but My Kingdom is not of this world.”
They fashion a crown of thorns and press it down upon his head. In mockery, they cry out “Hail, King of the Jews.”

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery – The Carrying of the Cross
Spiritual Fruit – Patient bearing of Trials
Condemned to death by crucifixion Jesus is forced to carry the cross to the place of execution.
Jesus meets His afflicted Mother causing untold anguish in the Hearts of Son and Mother.

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery – The Crucifixion
Spiritual Fruit – Pardoning of Injuries
The hands and feet of Jesus are nailed to the cross in the presence of His afflicted Mother.
Jesus cries out, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES

First Glorious Mystery – The Resurrection
Spiritual Fruit – Faith
On the third day, Jesus rises from the dead, glorious and immortal.
The holy women come to anoint Him. An angel calms their fears: “He is not here. He has risen as He said.”

Second Glorious Mystery – The Ascension
Spiritual Fruit – Christian Hope
Jesus remains on the earth forty days after His Resurrection to prove He has truly risen from the dead.
He commissions the apostles to preach the gospel to every creature, and promises to be with them forever.

Third Glorious Mystery – The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Spiritual Fruit – Gifts of the Holy Spirit
While praying in the upper room, the Holy Spirit descends on the apostles in the form of tongues of fire.
The feast of Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, for on that day it begins to grow.

Fourth Glorious Mystery – The Assumption
Spiritual Fruit – To Jesus through Mary
Mary dies, not of bodily infirmity, but is wholly overcome in a rapture of divine love.
Mary’s body, as well as her soul, is taken up into heaven.

Fifth Glorious Mystery – The Coronation
Spiritual Fruit – Grace of Final Perseverance
Mary enters heaven and is crowned by her divine Son as Queen of heaven and earth.
Mary shares so fully in the glory of Christ because she shared so fully in His suffering.