When you say your Rosary, the angels rejoice, the Blessed Trinity delights in it, my Son finds joy in it too, and I myself am happier than you can possibly guess. After the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, there is nothing in the Church that I love as much as the Rosary.
Our Lady to Blessed Alan de la Roche
The rosary consists of 5 decades: one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and one Glory Be. The Church traditionally focuses on these mysteries from the lives of Our Lady and Our Lord, Jesus Christ as we pray the rosary.
The Glorious Mysteries (prayed on Sundays and Wednesdays)
1. The Resurrection
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen as he said.” (Mt 28:5)
2. Our Lord’s Ascension into Heaven
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. (Mk 16:19)
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and Our Lady on Pentecost
And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:3-4)
4. The Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven
And Mary said”…For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.” (Lk 48-49)
5. The Coronation of Our Lady
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. (Rev 12:1)
The Joyful Mysteries (prayed on Mondays and Saturdays)
1. The Annunciation
Mary said, “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Lk 1:38)
2. The Visitation of Our Lady to St. Elizabeth
And Elizabeth exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Lk 1:42)
3. The Nativity of Our Lord
And Mary gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger because there was no place for them in the inn. (Lk 2:7)
4. The Presentation in the Temple
And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his Mother, “Behold this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. (Lk 2:34-35)
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions… And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. (Lk 2:46;51)
The Sorrowful Mysteries (prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays)
1. The Agony in the Garden
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. (Lk 22:43-44)
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
Then Pilate had Jesus taken away and scourged. (Jn 19:1)
3. The Crowning with Thorns
And plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head and they put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying “Hail King of the Jews!” (Mt. 27:29)
4. Jesus carries of the Cross
So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of the skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. (Jn 18:17)
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord
And Jesus cried out again in a loud voice and gave up his spirit. (Mt. 27:50)
The Luminous Mysteries (prayed on Thursdays)
1. The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan
And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God like a dove, and alighting on him; and a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Mt. 5:16-17)
2. The Wedding Feast at Cana
When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”… His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn 2:3; 5)
3. Jesus Proclaims the Kingdom of God
Jesus came into Galilee preaching the Gospel of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mk. 1:14-15)
4. The Transfiguration
And Jesus was transfigured before him and his face shone like the sun and his garments became as white as light. (Mt. 172)
5. The Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper
And as they were eating, he took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it them and said “Take and eat; this is my body.” (Mk. 14:22)