The Joyful Mysteries

The First Joyful Mystery

The Annunciation of Our Lord

(St. Luke 1:26-33, 38.)

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David;  and the virgins name was Mary.  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee:  blessed art thou among women.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary:  for thou hast found favour with God.  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:  and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever;  and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord;  be it unto me according to thy word.  And the angel departed from her.

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

O God, who didst vouchsafe that thy Word should be made flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the message of an angel:  grant to us thy humble servants that we, believing her to be indeed the Mother of God, may by her intercession find favour in thy sight.  Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end.  Amen.

The Second Joyful Mystery

The Visitation

(St. Luke 1:39-45)

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah;  and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.  And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb;  and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:  and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.  And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.  And blessed is she that believed:  for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

O Eternal Father, thou hast inspired the Virgin Mary, mother of thy Son, to visit Elisabeth and assist her in her time of need.  Keep us open to the inspiration of thy Spirit, and with the Blessed Virgin, may we praise thee for ever.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.

The Third Joyful Mystery

The Nativity of Jesus

(St. Luke 2:6-12)

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:  and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not:  for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

Almighty God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure Virgin:  grant that we, being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit.  Through the same our Lord, Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end.  Amen.

The Fourth Joyful Mystery

The Presentation in the Temple

(St. Luke 2:25-32)

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel:  and the Holy Ghost was upon him.  And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lords Christ.  And he came by the Spirit into the temple:  and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:  For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who as on this day appearing among men in the substance of our flesh wast presented by thy parents in the Temple:  whom Simeon, in his old age, being enlightened by the light of thy Spirit, knew and blessed, taking thee in his arms:  mercifully grant that we, being enlightened and instructed by the grace of the same Spirit, may know thee truly in our minds and love thee faithfully with all our hearts.  Who livest and reignest with the Father in the unity of the same.  Amen.

The Fifth Joyful Mystery

The Finding in the Temple

(St. Luke 2:41-52)

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.  And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.  And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.  But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a days journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.  And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.  And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.  And when they saw him, they were amazed:  and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us?  Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me?  Wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business?

And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.  And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them:  but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy wondrous holiness didst adorn a human home, and by thy subjection to Mary and Joseph didst consecrate the order of earthly families:  grant that we, being enlightened by the example of their life with thee in thy holy family, and assisted by their prayers, may at last be joined with them in thine eternal fellowship.  Who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The First Sorrowful Mystery

The Agony in the Garden

(St. Luke 22:39-46)

And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.  And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

And he was withdrawn from them about a stones cast, and kneeled down, and prayed.  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:  nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.  And being in agony he prayed more earnestly:  and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground.  And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them, Why sleep ye?  Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

Almighty and everliving God, who hast vouchsafed to give us thine only-begotten Son, our Savior Jesus Christ as a model of humility:  Just as he fulfilled your will by becoming man and giving his life upon the cross for our redemption, so also help us to bear witness to you, by following his example of obedience and suffering, that we may be made worthy to share in the benefits of his resurrection.  Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.

The Second Sorrowful Mystery

The Scourging at the Pillar

(St. Mark 15:6-15)

Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.  And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.  And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.  But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?  For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.  And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?  And they cried out again, Crucify him.

Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done?  And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

Almighty Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, thou hast sent thy Son to be born of a woman and to die on a cross, so that through the obedience of one man, estrangement might be dissolved for all men.  Vouchsafe to guide our minds by his truth, and strengthen our lives by the example of his death, so that we may ever live in union with thee, in the Kingdom of thy promise.  Grant this, we beseech thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Third Sorrowful Mystery

The Crowning with Thorns

(St. John 19:1-8)

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.  And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews!, and they smote him with their hands.

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.  Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe.  And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.  Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him:  for I find no fault in him.

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.  When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

O Lord, by shedding his blood for us, thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ established the paschal mystery.  We beseech thee, in thy goodness, to make us holy, and watch over us always.  We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery

The Bearing of the Cross

(St. John 19:16-22)

Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified.  And they took Jesus, and led him away.  And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:  Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross.  And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

This title then read many of the Jews:  for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city:  and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

Then said the chief priest of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.  Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

Lord, by the suffering of thy Son Jesus Christ, thou hast saved us all from the death we inherited from sinful Adam.  By the law of nature we have borne the likeness of his manhood.  May the sanctifying power of thy grace help us to put on the likeness of our Lord in heaven, who liveth and reigneth for ever and ever.  Amen.

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery

The crucifixion and Death of Jesus

(St. John 19:25-30)

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!  Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!  And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar:  and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

O God our Father, in obedience to thy will, thy only-begotten Son accepted death upon the cross for the salvation of mankind.  We thy servants acknowledge the mystery of the cross on earth.  May we receive the gift of redemption in heaven.  We ask this through thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.

The Glorious Mysteries

The First Glorious Mystery

The Resurrection of our Lord

(St. Mark 16:1-7)

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.  And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.  And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?  And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away:  for it was very great.

And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment:  and they were affrighted.  And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted:  Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified:  he is risen; he is not here:  behold the place where they laid him.  But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee:  there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

Almighty God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life:  we humbly beseech thee, that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect.  Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end.  Amen.

The Second Glorious Mystery

The Ascension into Heaven

(St. Luke 24:46-53)

And [Jesus] said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  And ye are witnesses of these things.  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you:  but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.  And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:  And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.  Amen.

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God:  that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.  Amen.

The Third Glorious Mystery

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

(Acts 2:1-7)

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.  And they were all amazed and marvelled

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

O God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit:  grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort.  Through the merits of Christ Jesus our Savior, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end.  Amen.

The Fourth Glorious Mystery

The Assumption of Mary

(St. Luke 1:46-55)

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.  For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:  for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.  For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.  And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.  He hath shown strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.  He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.  He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;  as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

We pray thee, O Lord, that the prayers of the Mother of God may avail for the succour of thy people:  that we, who do acknowledge  her to have departed this life by reason of the condition of our mortal frailty, may feel the effectual succour of the intercession which she offereth unto thee in thy heavenly glory.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.

The Fifth Glorious Mystery

The Coronation of Mary

(Judith 13:18-20)

O daughter, blessed art thou of the most high God, above all the women upon the earth, and blessed be the Lord God, which hath created the heavens, and the earthFor this thy confidence shall not depart from the heart of men, which remember the power of God for ever.  And God turn these things to thee for a perpetual praise, to visit thee in good things, because thou hast not spared thy life for the affliction of our nation, but hast revenged our ruin, walking a straight way before our God.  And all the people said, So be it, so be it.

Our Father

Ten Hail Marys

Gloria Patri

Let us pray.

Almighty God , who hast given us the mother of thy only-begotten Son to be our queen and mother:  May we come to share the glory of your children in the kingdom of heaven, through the support of her intercession and prayers.  We ask this through thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ , who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.