The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles’ Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel’s words announcing Christ’s birth and Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ’s life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Saint John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous.
The repetition in the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer related to each Mystery. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ’s spirit dwells. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group.
Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation: Fruit of the Mystery – Humility
The Visitation: Fruit of the Mystery –Love of Neighbor
The Nativity: Fruit of the Mystery – Poverty
The Presentation in the Temple:Obedience
The Finding in the Temple: Joy in Seeking Jesus
Sorrowful Mysteries
The Agony in the Garden: Fruit of the Mystery – Sorrow for Sin
The Scourging at the Pillar: Purity, Mortification
The Crowning with Thorns: Moral Courage
The Carrying of the Cross: Patience
The Crucifixion and Death: Perseverance
Glorious Mysteries
The Resurrection: Fruit of the Mystery – Faith
The Ascension: Fruit of the Mystery – Hope, Desire for Heaven
The Descent of the Holy Spiritr: Fruit of the Mystery – Wisdom, Love of God
The Assumption of Mary: Fruit of the Mystery – Grace of a Happy Death
The Coronation of May: Fruit of the Mystery – Trust in Mary’s Intercession
Luminous Mysteries
The Baptism of Jesus: Fruit of the Mystery Openness to the Holy Spirit
The Wedding at Cana: Fruit of the Mystery – To Jesus through Mary
The Proclamation of the Kingdom: Fruit of the Mystery – Conversion
The Transfiguration: Fruit of the Mystery – Desire for Holiness
The Institution of the Eucharist: Fruit of the Mystery – Adoration