The Mysteries

When we pray the rosary, we meditate on the life and miracles of Jesus, his mother, and the apostles.

List of the Mysteries of the Rosary and Their Virtues

The Joyful Mysteries (Prayed on Mondays and Saturdays)

The virtues for the Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation - Humility. The Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive Jesus (Luke 1:26-38).

2. The Visitation - Charity (Love of Neighbor). Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist (Luke 1:39-56).

3. The Nativity - Poverty of Spirit (Detachment). Jesus is born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-20).

4. The Presentation in the Temple - Obedience. Mary and Joseph present the baby Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22-40).

5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple - Piety. Mary and Joseph find the 12-year-old Jesus teaching in the Temple (Luke 2:41-50).

The Luminous Mysteries (Prayed on Thursdays)

The virtues for the Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan - Openness to the Holy Spirit. Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist, and the heavens open (Matthew 3:13-17).

2. The Wedding at Cana - Faith in God’s Will. Jesus performs His first miracle, turning water into wine (John 2:1-12).

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God - Repentance and Conversion. Jesus calls people to conversion and proclaims the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15).

4. The Transfiguration - Desire for Holiness. Jesus is transfigured on Mount Tabor, revealing His glory to Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1-8).

5. The Institution of the Eucharist - Love of the Eucharist. At the Last Supper, Jesus gives us His Body and Blood in the Eucharist (Luke 22:14-20).

The Sorrowful Mysteries (Prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays)

The virtues for the Sorrowful Mysteries

1. The Agony in the Garden - Contrition (Sorrow for Sin). Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, experiencing great sorrow (Matthew 26:36-46).

2. The Scourging at the Pillar - Mortification (Self-Discipline). Jesus is brutally whipped at Pilate’s command (John 19:1).

3. The Crowning with Thorns - Moral Courage. Soldiers mock Jesus by placing a crown of thorns on His head (Matthew 27:29).

4. The Carrying of the Cross - Patience in Suffering. Jesus carries His cross to Calvary (John 19:17).

5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus - Perseverance and Mercy. Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies for our sins (Luke 23:33-46).

The Glorious Mysteries (Prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays)

The virtues for the Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection - Faith. Jesus rises triumphantly from the dead (Matthew 28:1-10).

2. The Ascension - Hope. Jesus ascends into Heaven, returning to the Father (Luke 24:50-53).

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit - Zeal for the Mission. The Holy Spirit descends upon the Apostles at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13).

4. The Assumption of Mary - Devotion to Mary. Mary is assumed body and soul into Heaven (Revelation 12:1; Tradition).

5. The Coronation of Mary - Eternal Happiness. Mary is crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth (Revelation 12:1; Tradition).

Even the Bible shows us proof for the Holy Rosary 

The “Hail Mary” begins with the words of the angel Gabriel:

“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.” — Luke 1:28

and continues with Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary:

“Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” — Luke 1:42

Every decade of the Rosary also includes the “Our Father,” the very prayer Christ taught His disciples:

“Our Father, who art in heaven…” — Matthew 6:9–13

The Rosary is also centered on meditation. Scripture tells us that Mary constantly reflected on the mysteries of Christ:

“Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.” — Luke 2:19

Some criticize repetitive prayer, yet repetition itself is found throughout Scripture. In Psalm 136, the phrase “for his mercy endureth forever” is repeated again and again, and even Christ repeated His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The Rosary ultimately points us toward Jesus. At the Wedding at Cana, Mary tells the servants:

“Do whatever he tells you.” — John 2:5