the presentation holy rosary

1:26-27).

1:39-42).

2:1-7).

) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, ( 2:21-24).

2:41-47).

Holy Rosary - The Work of God www.theworkofgod.org

Holy Rosary Fourth Joyful Mystery - The Presentation

Meditations on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

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Introduction to the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary are the first of the three traditional sets of events in the life of Christ upon which Catholics meditate while praying the rosary . (The other two are the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary and the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary . A fourth set, the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary  was introduced by Pope John Paul II in 2002 as an optional devotion.)

The Joyful Mysteries cover Christ's life from the Annunciation to the Finding in the Temple, at age 12. Each mystery is associated with a particular fruit, or virtue, which is illustrated by the actions of Christ and Mary in the event commemorated by that mystery. While meditating on the mysteries, Catholics also pray for those fruits or virtues.

Traditionally, Catholics meditate on the Joyful Mysteries while praying the rosary on Monday and Thursday, as well as on the Sundays from the beginning of Advent until the beginning of Lent . For those Catholics who use the optional Luminous Mysteries, Pope John Paul II (in his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae , which proposed the Luminous Mysteries) suggested praying the Joyful Mysteries on Monday and Saturday, leaving Thursday open for meditation on the Luminous Mysteries.

Each of the following pages features a brief discussion of one of the Joyful Mysteries, the fruit or virtue associated with it, and a short meditation on the mystery. The meditations are simply meant as an aid to contemplation; they do not need to be read while praying the rosary. As you pray the rosary more often, you will develop your own meditations on each mystery.

The Annunciation - The First Joyful Mystery of the Rosary

The First Joyful Mystery of the Rosary is the Annunciation of the Lord , when the angel Gabriel appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary to announce that she had been chosen by God to bear His Son. The virtue most commonly associated with the mystery of the Annunciation is humility.

Meditation on the Annunciation:

"Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word" (Luke 1:38). With those words—her fiat —the Virgin Mary placed her trust in God. She was only 13 or 14; betrothed, but not yet married; and God was asking her to become the Mother of His Son. How easy it would have been to say no, or at least to ask God to choose someone else! Mary had to have known what others would think, how people would look at her; for most people pride would prevent them from accepting God's Will.

But not Mary. In humility, she knew that her entire life depended on God; how could she turn down even this most remarkable of requests? From a young age, her parents had dedicated her to the service of the Lord; now, this humble servant would devote her entire life to the Son of God.

Yet the Annunciation is not only about the humility of the Virgin Mary. In this moment, the Son of God "emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself . . . " (Philippians 2:7-8). If Mary's humility was remarkable, how much more so that of Christ! The Lord of the Universe has become one of His own creatures, a man like us in everything but sin, but even more humble than the best of us, because the Author of Life, in the very moment of His Annunciation, became "obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8).

How, then, can we refuse God anything He asks of us? How can we let our pride stand in the way? If Mary can give up all worldly reputation to bear His Son, and His Son can empty Himself and, though sinless, die the death of sin on our behalf, how can we refuse to take up our cross and follow Him?

The Visitation - The Second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary

The Second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary is the Visitation , when the Virgin Mary, having learned from the angel Gabriel that her cousin Elizabeth was also with child, rushed to her side. The virtue most commonly associated with the mystery of the Visitation is love of neighbor.

Meditation on the Visitation:

"And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43). Mary has just received life-changing news, news that no other woman will ever receive: She is to be the Mother of God. Yet in announcing this to her, the angel Gabriel also revealed that Mary's cousin Elizabeth is six months' pregnant. Mary does not hesitate, does not worry about her own situation; her cousin needs her. Childless until now, Elizabeth is beyond the normal childbearing years; she has even hid herself from the eyes of others because her pregnancy is so unexpected.

As the body of our Lord is growing in her own womb, Mary spends three months caring for Elizabeth, leaving only shortly before the birth of Saint John the Baptist. She shows us what true love of neighbor means: placing the needs of others above our own, devoting ourselves to our neighbor in his or her hour of need. There will be plenty of time to think of herself and her Child later; for now, Mary's thoughts lie only with her cousin, and with the child who will become the Forerunner of Christ. Truly, as Mary responds to her cousin's greeting in the canticle we call the Magnificat , her soul does "magnify the Lord," not least through her love of neighbor.

The Nativity - The Third Joyful Mystery of the Rosary

The Third Joyful Mystery of the Rosary is the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, more often known as Christmas . The fruit most commonly associated with the mystery of the Nativity is poverty of spirit, the first of the eight Beatitudes .

Meditation on the Nativity:

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7). God has humbled Himself to become man and the Mother of God gives birth in a stable. The Creator of the Universe and the Savior of the World spends His first night in that world lying in a feed trough, surrounded by animals, and their food, and their waste.

When we think of that holy night, we tend either to idealize it—to imagine it as neat and tidy as the Nativity scenes on our mantels on Christmas Eve—or we think of the physical poverty that Jesus and Mary and Joseph endured. But the physical poverty is merely the outward sign of the inward grace in the souls of the Holy Family. "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). On this night, Heaven and earth have met in a stable, but also in the souls of the Holy Family. "The Beatitudes," writes Fr. John Hardon, S.J., in his Modern Catholic Dictionary , "are expressions of the New Covenant, where happiness is assured already in this life, provided a person totally gives himself to the imitation of Christ." Mary has done so, and so has Joseph; and Christ, of course, is Christ. Here among the sights and sounds and stench of the stable, their souls are one in perfect happiness, because they are poor in spirit.

How wonderful is this poverty! How blessed we would be if we, like they, could unite our lives so fully to Christ that we could see the fallen world around us in the light of Heaven!

The Presentation in the Temple - The Fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary

The Fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary is the Presentation in the Temple, which we celebrate on February 2 as the Presentation of the Lord or Candlemas. The fruit most commonly associated with the mystery of the Presentation is purity of mind and body.

Meditation on the Presentation:

"And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord" (Luke 2:22). Mary had conceived the Son of God as a virgin; she gave birth to the Savior of the World, and her virginity remained intact; through her piety and that of Saint Joseph, she would remain a virgin for her entire life. So what does it mean to refer to the "days of her purification"?

Under the Old Law, a woman remained impure for 40 days after the birth of a child. But Mary was not subject to the Law, because of the special circumstances of Christ's Birth. Yet she obeyed it anyway. And in doing so, she showed that a ritual concerned with the purification of the body was really a symbol of the purity of soul of the true believer.

Mary and Joseph offered a sacrifice, in accordance with the Law: "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons" (Luke 2:24), to redeem the Son of God, Who needed no redemption. "The Law is made for man, not man for the Law," Christ Himself would later say, yet here is the Holy Family fulfilling the Law even though it does not apply to them.

How often do we think that we don't need all the regulations and rituals of the Church! "Why do I have to go to Confession ? God knows I'm sorry for my sins"; " Fasting and abstinence are manmade laws"; "If I miss Mass one Sunday , God will understand." Yet here are the Son of God and His Mother, both purer than any of us will ever be, abiding by the Law that Christ Himself came not to abolish but fulfill. Their obedience to the Law was not lessened by their purity of soul but made all the greater. Might we not learn from their example?

The Finding in the Temple - The Fifth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary

The Fifth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary is the Finding in the Temple, when, after a trip to Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph could not find the young Jesus. The virtue most commonly associated with the mystery of the Finding in the Temple is obedience.

Meditation on the Finding in the Temple:

"Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?" (Luke 2:49). To begin to understand the joy that Mary and Joseph felt on finding Jesus in the Temple, we must first imagine their distress when they realized He was not with them. For 12 years, they had been always at His side, their lives dedicated to Him in obedience to the Will of God. Yet now—what had they done? Where was the Child, this most precious Gift of God? How could they ever endure it if something had happened to Him?

But here He is, "sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions" (Luke 2:46). "And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing" (Luke 2:48). And then those wondrous words emerge from His lips, "Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?"

He has always been obedient to Mary and Joseph, and through them to God the Father, but now His obedience to God is even more direct. He will, of course, continue to obey His mother and His foster father, but today marks a turning point, a foreshadowing of His public ministry and even of His death on the Cross.

We are not called as Christ was, but we are called to follow Him, to take up our own crosses in imitation of Him and in obedience to God the Father. Like Christ, we must be about the Father's business in our own lives—at every moment of every day.

• Meditations on the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
• How to Pray the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Meditations on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
• Prayers for October
• Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots
• Prayer to Our Lady of the Rosary
• A Prayer to the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
• The Fatima Prayer
• Prayers for May, the Month of the Virgin Mary
• How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on a Normal Rosary
• The Jesus Prayer
• Hail Holy Queen: The Salve Regina
• Catholic Prayers for August
• What Is a Novena? (Definition and Examples of Novenas)
• What Is Prayer?
• Prayers for January

Rosary Meditation — The Fourth Joyful Mystery

This rosary meditation focuses on The Fourth Joyful Mystery — The Presentation of our Lord. In this mystery we see Mary and Joseph present Jesus at the temple as was the Jewish tradition. They encountered a man named Simeon whom the Holy Spirit said would not experience death until he had seen the Anointed One. Upon seeing Jesus, Simeon said “Now Master, You can dismiss Your servant in peace; You have fulfilled Your word” (Luke 2:29). Simeon is an example on how our faith requires patience, endurance, and moral fortitude. While there are times when we may not feel God’s presence in our lives our faith tells us that He is always near and always hears our prayers.

This rosary meditation focuses on The Fourth Joyful Mystery — The Presentation of our Lord .  In this mystery we see Mary and Joseph present Jesus at the temple as was the Jewish tradition.  They encountered a man named Simeon whom the Holy Spirit said would not experience death until he had seen the Anointed One.  Upon seeing Jesus, Simeon said “Now Master, You can dismiss Your servant in peace; You have fulfilled Your word” (Luke 2:29).  Simeon is an example on how our faith requires patience, endurance, and moral fortitude.  While there are times when we may not feel God’s presence in our lives our faith tells us that He is always near and always hears our prayers.

I sometimes come across postings on the Catholic Answers web forums from people who feel discouraged since they do not feel close to Jesus.  They talk about how they pray, go to Mass, fast, and read the Bible and yet they do not feel the Lord’s grace.  I think we can all look to Simeon as an example that even the most just and pious need to be patient and have faith that the Lord will present Himself in the way that will ultimately lead us to Him.  However, while God desires all of us to be in His heavenly kingdom, the road is a long one fraught with temptation and sin.  But if we can hold on and remain faithful, even when it seems like God does not hear our prayers or notices our good deeds, we will be rewarded with the eternal happiness of Heaven.

Why must our faith be difficult to live at times?  Why don’t we get direct answers to our prayers from a thundering voice in the clouds?  Why must we endure such hardship and struggle?  I think Mother Teresa can help us find an answer.  In her private letters to Rev. Michael Van Der Peet she once said (as reported in this Time article ):

Jesus has a very special love for you,” she assured Van der Peet. “[But] as for me, the silence and the emptiness is so great, that I look and do not see, — Listen and do not hear — the tongue moves [in prayer] but does not speak … I want you to pray for me — that I let Him have [a] free hand.

Here was a woman who embodied everything great about the Catholic faith and yet at times she felt distant from God’s love.  She, like Simeon, was just and pious and yet she endured periods of time when she felt a great emptiness in her heart. Kolodiejchuk, a senior Missionaries of Charity member, explains that perhaps that emptiness is what drove her to do such great work.  She never felt like her job was done or that God was prematurely rewarding her when there was still so much for her to do.  Perhaps this was God’s way of making sure that pride did not hinder her important work.  Mother Teresa still continued to do the Lord’s work and even put up a good face to others (the statements about her spiritual difficulties were not known until after her death).  And, like Simeon, her patience paid off as she is now closer to Jesus than any of us ever can be in this world.

When we meditate on the Fourth Joyful Mystery let us remember Simeon and how his faith and patience was ultimately rewarded.  We must pray for those who have fallen on the long and difficult road of faith that they get back up and have the strength to live as Jesus calls them.  Remember, God has a plan for each of us and that plan will ultimately lead us to His heavenly kingdom.  We just need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, especially in those times when it feels like God is the most distant from us.  It is those times of great hardship when Jesus presents Himself to us although it may not be in the way we expect or we may not be listening.  Remember in your prayers to not only speak to the Lord, but also allow Him to respond for He will show you the way to Him.

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Mysteries of the Rosary

The Church has used three sets of mysteries for many centuries. In 2002 Pope John Paul II proposed a fourth set of mysteries—the Mysteries of Light, or Luminous Mysteries. According to his suggestion, the four sets of mysteries might be prayed on the following days: the Joyful Mysteries on Monday and Saturday, the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday and Friday, the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday, and the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday.

The Joyful Mysteries

• The Annunciation Mary learns that she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus.
• The Visitation Mary visits Elizabeth, who tells her that she will always be remembered.
• The Nativity Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem.
• The Presentation Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the Temple to present him to God.
• The Finding of Jesus in the Temple Jesus is found in the Temple discussing his faith with the teachers.

The Mysteries of Light

• The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan God proclaims that Jesus is his beloved Son.
• The Wedding Feast at Cana At Mary’s request, Jesus performs his first miracle.
• The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God Jesus calls all to conversion and service to the Kingdom.
• The Transfiguration of Jesus Jesus is revealed in glory to Peter, James, and John.
• The Institution of the Eucharist Jesus offers his Body and Blood at the Last Supper.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

• The Agony in the Garden Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before he dies.
• The Scourging at the Pillar Jesus is lashed with whips.
• The Crowning With Thorns Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns.
• The Carrying of the Cross Jesus carries the cross that will be used to crucify him.
• The Crucifixion Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies.

The Glorious Mysteries

• The Resurrection God the Father raises Jesus from the dead.
• The Ascension Jesus returns to his Father in heaven.
• The Coming of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit comes to bring new life to the disciples.
• The Assumption of Mary At the end of her life on earth, Mary is taken body and soul into heaven.
• The Coronation of Mary Mary is crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Our Lady of Fatima and the Rosary

Our Lady asked the children of Fatima to pray the Rosary every day for peace in the world. Learn more about the Rosary with these activity suggestions for the classroom or family.

Rosary Prayer Cloths

Praying the Rosary

Mary Prays for Us

Activity Center: Making a Rosary

Creative Ways to Pray the Rosary

Deepen your understanding of the Rosary by reading The Rosary: A Path into Prayer by Elizabeth M. Kelly and The Complete Rosary: A Guide to Praying the Mysteries by William G. Storey.

Related Links

Teacher prayer card, a prayer for catechists, st paul and prayer, composing prayer: renowned jesuit composer marries music and prayer, our lady of guadalupe prayer card.

• 1. The Revelation of God in Heaven and Earth
• 2. The Promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
• 3. The Paschal Feast of Israel
• 4. The Law and Testament of Moses
• 5. The Prophecy of Christ the King, Son of David
• 1. The Annunciation of Our Lord
• 2. The Visitation with Elizabeth
• 3. The Nativity of Our Lord

4. The Presentation in the Temple

• 5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
• 1. The Supplication of Mary of Our Lord
• 2. The Petition of Fortitude of Our Lord
• 3. The Intercession of Counsel of Our Lord
• 4. The Thanksgiving of Understanding of Our Lord
• 5. The Wisdom of Praising Our Lord
• 1. The Baptism in the Jordan
• 2. The Wedding Feast of Cana
• 3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
• 4. The Transfiguration at Mount Olive
• 5. The Institution of the Eucharist
• 1. The Agony in the Garden
• 2. The Scourging at the Pillar
• 3. The Crowning with Thorns
• 4. The Carrying of the Cross
• 5. The Crucifixion of Our Lord
• 1. The Solemnity of Our Lord
• 2. The Affirmation of God’s Holy Word
• 3. The Offering of the Sacrifice of Redemption
• 4. The Entombing of the Body of Christ
• 5. The Vigil in Fear of the Lord
• 1. The Resurrection of Our Lord
• 2. The Ascension of Our Lord
• 3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
• 4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
• 5. The Coronation of Our Lady Queen of Heaven
• Chronology of Our Faith
• Original Rosary Chart with the Luminous Mysteries
• The Meditations of St. Pope John Paul II
• The Joyful Mysteries
• The Sorrowful Mysteries
• The Glorious Mysteries

“Jesus’ circumcision, on the eighth day after his birth, is the sign of his incorporation into Abraham’s descendants, into the people of the covenant. It is the sign of his submission to the Law” ( CCC , 527).  Vatican

Our Father, 10 Hail Marys (contemplating the mystery), Glory Be and Fatima Prayer.

1 Response to 4. The Presentation in the Temple

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How to Pray the Rosary: Catholic Answers Guide to the Holy Rosary

Learn to pray the rosary. it’s easy., what is the rosary.

The rosary is a Christ-centered prayer, rooted in Sacred Scripture, that helps us meditate on the lives of Jesus and Mary. The rosary is a Catholic devotion in which we ask for the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God , in drawing closer to her divine Son, Jesus. When praying the rosary, you use a string of beads to keep track of your progress through the prayers.

Download Catholic Answers Guide How to Pray the Rosary.

Why pray the rosary.

Anyone can pray the rosary and people pray it for many reasons everyday. Many people pray the rosary to seek assistance from the Virgin Mary. They ask for help with situations such as having a sick or deceased friend or family member.

Ultimately, we pray the rosary to grow closer to God and praying the rosary is not just for challenges or difficulties. Praying the rosary helps us fortify our Catholic beliefs and strengthen our bond with Jesus Christ.

How to Pray the Rosary

Start with making the Sign of the Cross .

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

While holding the cross on your rosary, begin the Apostles’ Creed .

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Move to the first bead and pray the Our Father .

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Now, pray a Hail Mary for the next three beads, asking for more faith, hope, and love, which are important theological virtues.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Next you will pray a Glory Be .

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Announce the first mystery. (Mysteries of the Rosary Week Guide) Read a reflection for a rosary devotional book if you have one.

Monday and Saturday: Joyful Mysteries [The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Presentation, Finding Jesus in the Temple] Tuesday and Friday: Sorrowful Mysteries [The Agony in the Garden, The Scourging at the Pillar, Jesus is Crowned with Thorns, Jesus Carries His Cross, The Crucifixion] Wednesday and Sunday: Glorious Mysteries [The Resurrection, The Ascension of Jesus to Heaven, The Descent of the Holy Spirit, The Assumption of Mary in Heaven, Mary is Crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth] Thursday: Luminous Mysteries [The Baptism of Jesus, The Wedding Feast at Cana, The Proclamation of the Kingdom, The Transfiguration, The Institution of the Eucharist]

Say an Our Father on the large bead.

For each of the next ten small beads, pray a Hail Mary and meditate on the mystery for this decade.

After the last Hail Mary, say the Glory Be followed by the Fatima Prayer .

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy. Amen.

Follow this sequence for the remaining four decades. One Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be, Fatima Prayer.

Step Eleven

Next you’ll say the Hail Holy Queen.

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Step Twelve

Complete the Rosary with this final prayer and the Sign of the Cross:

Let us pray: O God, whose Only Begotten Son, by His Life, Death, and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Further Reading & Videos:

Encountering Jesus Through the Rosary The rosary reaffirms that Catholicism, properly understood, begins and ends with Jesus. The saving ministry of Jesus is the motivation and main objective of the rosary.

The Rosary – Origins & More Learn about the history of the Rosary and the contemplative nature of praying the Rosary.

Did the Church always have a devotion to Mary before the rosary? Watch this short video where Trent Horn answers a caller’s question: “Did the Church always have a devotion to Mary before the discovery of the rosary?

Quick Q & A See why the rosary isn’t what the bible refers to as “vain repetitions.”

20 Answers: The Rosary 20 Answers: The Rosary reveals the history of this venerable devotion (and how it’s not an act of idolatrous “Mary-worship”), explains the gospel mysteries that it dwells on, and shows you how to pray it more fervently to unlock the graces that God wants to deliver through it.

Understanding Mary the Mother of God Free Video Series Mary, the Mother of God: What’s all the fuss about? What about terms like Co-Redemptrix, the Assumption, the new Ark of the Covenant, and perpetual virginity? Learn more.

Buy a Rosary Lifetime Rosaries are crafted with the highest quality materials available to last for the rest of your earthly journey. Order a rosary that reflects the strength and beauty of your devotion to Our Blessed Mother!

More from Catholic.com

The Holy Rosary

• CHRISTIANITY

The Joyful, Glorious, Sorrowful, and Luminous mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary + the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

The Divine Mercy Chaplet

The Divine Mercy Chaplet For instructions on how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, please visit www.thedivinemercy.org. Make sure to listen to our companion show, Creedal: Theology and Culture!

The Luminous Mysteries

The Luminous Mysteries For a free, downloadable pdf with instructions for the Rosary and all of its prayers, click here. Make sure you listen to our companion podcast, Creedal Catholic, on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Luminous Mysteries (Thursday) First Decade: The Baptism of Our Lord Second Decade: The Miracle at the Wedding in Cana Third Decade: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God Fourth Decade: The Transfiguration of Our Lord Fifth Decade: The Institution of the Eucharist

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Sorrowful Mysteries For a free, downloadable pdf with instructions for the Rosary and all of its prayers, click here. Make sure you listen to our companion podcast, Creedal Catholic on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday) First Decade: The Agony of our Lord in the Garden Second Decade: Our Lord is Scourged at the Pillar Third Decade: Our Lord is Crowned with Thorns Fourth Decade: Our Lord Carries the Cross to Calvary Fifth Decade: The Crucifixion of Our Lord

The Joyful Mysteries

The Joyful Mysteries For a free, downloadable pdf with instructions for the Rosary and all of its prayers, click here. Make sure you listen to our companion podcast, Creedal Catholic on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday) First Decade: The Annunciation of Our Lord Second Decade: The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth Third Decade: The Birth of Our Lord Fourth Decade: The Presentation of Our Lord Fifth Decade: The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple

The Glorious Mysteries

The Glorious Mysteries For a free, downloadable pdf with instructions for the Rosary and all of its prayers, click here. Make sure you listen to our companion podcast, Creedal Catholic on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Glorious Mysteries (Sunday and Wednesday) First Decade: The Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Second Decade: The Ascension of Our Lord Third Decade: The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost Fourth Decade: The Assumption of Mary into Heaven Fifth Decade: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven

Learn to Pray the Rosary!

Learn to pray the Rosary with The Creedal Catholic! In just a couple of weeks, this podcast feed will be updated with the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous mysteries, both with and without meditations! For more, check out vernacularpodcast.com/creedalcatholic!

Ratings & Reviews

Everyday rosary.

Silly Mariette

Thanks to the people who made this. It really helps to get the rosary in, serve our Lady, and come to know the love of Christ. Whoever is reading this, I’m offering my rosary up for you today. :)

I listen to this everyday. It’s perfect. Their voices are easy to listen to and I would like to find the version where the meditations of the mysteries were added. I am thankful to find this podcast.

Wonderful Rosary Aide

Leapin Lizards!

I love praying the Rosary and Divine Mercy daily with this podcast. I love the husband / wife team who lovingly put this together!

Thankful for this

I have used this for my 54 day novena and it has made this so easy and efficient. Thank you for this. God bless

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• Creator Creedal
• Years Active 2019 - 2021
• Rating Clean
• Copyright © Copyright 2021 Creedal Podcast Network
• Show Website The Holy Rosary

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Joyful Mysteries

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The Holy Rosary

The Rosary is the “epitome of the whole Gospel” (St. Paul VI). While occupying the senses with the “praying of the beads” the one who prays the rosary prayerfully reflects, meditates , on the mysteries of Christ’s life. These mysteries, represented by the five groups of ten beads are taking from the Gospel, and from the Churches own reflection on the Gospel down through the centuries―especially with respect to the role of the Blessed Virgin. She is the Woman (Gen. 3:15) from whom Christ took His human nature, as well as the Woman who cooperated in His Redemptive mission to its completion (John 19:26-27).

The purpose of the Rosary, therefore, is a deeper understanding of all the mysteries concerning Christ. A mystery is something divine, because the Persons associated with it are divine. Human reflection alone reaches a limit of understanding. But by seeking God in what we can know by prayerful reflection, we dispose ourselves to His grace and to a deeper understanding of the truths of the Faith, and of ourselves in light of them. 

Catechism  2708  Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in  lectio divina  [prayerful contemplation of Scripture] or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.

Thus, the testimony of the Saints, and of the Church herself, is that the perseverance in praying the Rosary, especially through times of both consolation and dryness, is the path to a deeper prayer life―to contemplation of God, to growth in virtue, especially faith, hope and charity, and thus in holiness. For good reason, therefore, the Blessed Mother in appearing to the three shepherd children of  Fatima in 1917 asked them, and through them us, to pray the Rosary for peace in the world. Such peace is a gift of God that begins in the human heart and spreads outward to others. It is a gift we must ask for, both for ourselves and for those who won't ask. In this way we unite ourselves to His redemptive mission, as Our Lady did, and help Him accomplish it toward those who are alive today.

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A Rosary proper is made up of 5 groups of ten beads, or decades, each of which constitutes one of the mysteries of the Rosary. In addition, as Pope St. John Paul II noted in his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae it has become “customary” to say prayers before the decades, and also in conclusion. These are said on the Crucifix and group of one plus three beads hanging from the Rosary. As customary prayers they are to that extent also optional, or, others may be freely chosen. They do in fact vary from place to place, though the pattern suggested here is a common one.

The Preparatory Prayers

Starting on the Crucifix, we call to mind our Redemption and the truths of the Faith.

1. Holding the Crucifix make the Sign of the Cross , praying: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” 2. Still on the Crucifix profess the Apostles Creed . “I believe in God, the Father Almighty . . .”

On the group of 4 beads, honor the Holy Trinity, One God and Three Divine Persons. On the three beads, one may also ask successively for an increase of Faith, of Hope and of Charity, the three theological virtues (1 Cor. 13). 

3. On the single bead, pray the Our Father . 4. On the three beads, pray three Hail Marys . 5. On the space after the beads pray the Glory Be .

Prayer and Meditation on the Mysteries

On the 5 groups of 10 beads, or decade , a distinct mystery from the lives of Jesus and Mary is honored. A complete Rosary of 20 decades is composed of 5 Joyous Mysteries, 5 Luminous Mysteries, 5 Sorrowful Mysteries, and 5 Glorious Mysteries.  At Fatima, the Blessed Virgin asked for a Terço every day for peace, which meant a “third” of the traditional 15 decade rosary, meaning a 5 decade rosary composed of one of the groups of mysteries. This remains the case, even though Pope St. John Paul II in 2002 added a fourth set of mysteries, the Luminous.

One may freely say a single set of mysteries each day (or once around the beads), or a complete rosary of 20 decades. One may pray any set of mysteries, or follow the traditional pattern. One may pray the rosary at one time, or spread throughout the day, and do so in a church, at home, or anywhere, as time and opportunity allows. 

On the Decades

Announce the first Mystery. If possible, make a short meditation on the subject of the mystery. One can use the applicable Scriptures, a book created for this purpose (see EWTN's Religious Catalog store), or simply reflect on the scene, or one's relationship to the scene, such as one's weaknesses for which we should imitate Jesus and Mary. 

1. On the single bead (the centerpiece serves this purpose for the 1st decade), an Our Father 2. On each of the ten beads, a Hail Mary 3, On the space after the decade, the Glory Be .  4. Finally, the Fátima Prayer.   While the “Decade Prayer” is not a formal part of the Rosary, it has become customary to pray it as requested in 1917 by Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima.

This pattern is then repeated for each of the subsequent mysteries of the Rosary.

The Concluding Prayers

After completed all the decades, it is usual to say the Hail, Holy Queen, and other prayers according to custom, though these are not formally part of the Rosary, nor obligatory. They are given in the customary order.

1. Hail Holy Queen , with its Versicle and Response. 2. The Rosary Prayer 3. St. Michael's Prayer 4. Prayers for the intentions of the Pope . This is necessary to gain the Plenary Indulgence attached to the Rosary said in a group. It may be the Creed and an Our Father, or an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be, or even other prayers for his intention. A partial Indulgence is gained by an individual who says the Rosary.  5. Sacred and Immaculate Heart Prayers.   (At Fatima Our Lady said that God desired these devotions alongside each other.)

The Rosary is then concluded as it began, With the Sign of the Cross.