The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
The Glorious Mysteries celebrate the triumph of Christ over death and the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation. These mysteries are traditionally prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays, and during the Easter season.
As you pray these mysteries, let your heart be filled with hope and joy. Death has been conquered! Christ is risen! And through Him, we too are promised resurrection and eternal life. Mary, assumed into heaven and crowned as Queen, intercedes for us from her place of glory.
The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection
Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 24:1-12
"He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead."
Meditation
On the third day, as dawn breaks over Jerusalem, the earth trembles. The stone rolls away from the tomb—not to let Jesus out, but to show the world that He has already risen. The women arrive expecting a corpse but find an empty tomb and an angel proclaiming the greatest news in history: He is risen!
Fruit of the Mystery: Faith
The Resurrection is the foundation of our faith. Ask for the grace to believe firmly in Christ's victory over death and in your own resurrection to eternal life.
Pray: 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be, Fatima Prayer
The Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension
Acts 1:6-11; Luke 24:50-53
"And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'"
Meditation
Forty days after His Resurrection, Jesus leads His disciples to the Mount of Olives. He blesses them and then ascends into heaven, returning to the Father's right hand. The disciples stand gazing upward until angels remind them that He will return. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us.
Fruit of the Mystery: Hope / Desire for Heaven
Christ ascended to prepare a place for us in heaven. Ask for the grace to set your heart on heavenly things and to live with the hope of eternal life.
Pray: 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be, Fatima Prayer
The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1-13
"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit."
Meditation
Ten days after the Ascension, the disciples are gathered in the upper room with Mary. Suddenly, a sound like rushing wind fills the house. Tongues of fire rest upon each of them, and they are filled with the Holy Spirit. The fearful disciples become bold apostles, preaching the Gospel to the crowds of Jerusalem. The Church is born.
Fruit of the Mystery: Love of God / Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit transformed the apostles and transforms us. Ask for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit in your life—His gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
Pray: 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be, Fatima Prayer
The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary
Revelation 12:1; 1 Corinthians 15:54
"And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars."
"When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'"
Meditation
At the end of her earthly life, Mary is taken body and soul into heavenly glory. She who bore the sinless Son of God is preserved from the corruption of the grave. The Assumption reveals what awaits all the faithful—the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Mary goes before us as the first fruit of her Son's redemption.
Fruit of the Mystery: Grace of a Happy Death / Devotion to Mary
Mary was assumed into heaven at the end of her earthly pilgrimage. Ask for the grace of a holy death and a deeper devotion to Our Lady, who waits to welcome us home.
Pray: 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be, Fatima Prayer
The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary
Revelation 12:1; Judith 15:9
"You are the glory of Jerusalem! You are the great pride of Israel! You are the highest honor of our people!"
"Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope."
Meditation
Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth by her Son. She who was the humble handmaid is exalted above all the angels and saints. From her throne of glory, she intercedes for her children on earth. The Woman clothed with the sun reigns as Queen Mother in the Kingdom of her Son, waiting to welcome all who call upon her.
Fruit of the Mystery: Trust in Mary's Intercession / Perseverance
Mary is our Queen and our Mother. Ask for the grace to trust in her powerful intercession and to persevere in faith until you join her in the glory of heaven.
Pray: 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be, Fatima Prayer
Concluding Prayers
After the five decades, pray the Hail Holy Queen and the closing prayer.