The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation

(Gospel according to Saint Luke 1:26-38)

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man of the house of David, whose name was Joseph; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And entering where she was, he said: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!"

She, upon hearing these words, was greatly troubled and considered what manner of greeting this might be.

And the angel said to her: "Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace before God.

And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus.

He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God shall give him the throne of his father David.

And he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

And Mary said to the angel: "How shall this be, since I know not man?"

And the angel answered her: "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; therefore, also, the Holy One who shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, thy kinswoman, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren, for nothing shall be impossible with God."

And Mary said: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word."

And the angel departed from her.

The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation

(Gospel according to Saint Luke 1:39-56)

In those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah.

And she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.

And she cried out with a loud voice and said: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!

And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For behold, as soon as the voice of thy greeting sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

And blessed art thou who hast believed, for the things that were spoken to thee by the Lord shall be fulfilled."

And Mary said: "My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour,

For he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid. Behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed,

For he that is mighty hath done great things for me, and holy is his name.

And his mercy is from generation to generation upon those that fear him.

He hath showed might in his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble.

He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent away empty.

He hath received Israel, his servant, being mindful of his mercy,

As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever."

And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her own house.

The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity

(Gospel according to Saint Luke 2:1-20)

And it came to pass that in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.

This first enrollment was made by Quirinius, the governor of Syria.

And all went to be enrolled, each one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his espoused wife, who was with child.

And it came to pass that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds in the same region, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of God shone around them, and they feared greatly.

And the angel said to them: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.

And this shall be a sign to you: you shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger."

And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will!"

And it came to pass that when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."

And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger.

And seeing him, they understood what had been spoken to them concerning this child.

And all who heard it wondered at those things which were told to them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

(Gospel according to Saint Luke 2:22-35)

And after the days of her purification were completed according to the Law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord,

As it is written in the Law of the Lord: "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord," and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord: "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Ghost that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple, and when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he also received him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

"Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace,

Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples,

A light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel."

And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "Behold, this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted.

And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

The Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

(Gospel according to Saint Luke 2:41-50)

And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the feast of the Passover.

And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.

And having completed the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and his parents did not know it.

And thinking that he was in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.

And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.

And it came to pass that after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and asking them questions.

And all who heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers.

And seeing him, they were amazed. And his mother said to him: "Son, why hast thou done this to us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee, sorrowing."

And he said to them: "Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?"

And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them.

The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden

(Gospel according to Saint Matthew 26:36-39)

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples: "Sit here while I go over there and pray."

And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

Then he said to them: "My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Stay here and watch with me."

And going a little farther, he fell upon his face, praying and saying: "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as thou wilt."

The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar

(Gospel according to Saint Matthew 27:26)

Then Pilate released Barabbas to them, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns

(Gospel according to Saint Matthew 27:27-31)

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered around him the whole band.

And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak around him.

And plaiting a crown of thorns, they placed it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand, and kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying: "Hail, King of the Jews!"

And spitting upon him, they took the reed and struck his head.

And after they had mocked him, they took off the cloak and put his own garments back on him and led him away to be crucified.

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross

(Gospel according to Saint Mark 15:21-23)

And they compelled a certain passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.

And they brought him to the place called Golgotha, which means "the place of the skull."

And they gave him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

(Gospel according to Saint Luke 23:33-46)

And when they came to the place that is called Calvary, they crucified him there, and the criminals, one on his right and the other on his left.

And Jesus said: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

And they divided his garments, casting lots.

And the people stood watching, and the rulers mocked him, saying: "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ, the chosen one of God!"

And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, and saying: "If thou art the King of the Jews, save thyself!"

And above him was written an inscription in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

And one of the criminals who was hanged blasphemed him, saying: "If thou art the Christ, save thyself and us!"

But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying: "Dost thou not fear God, seeing that thou art under the same condemnation?

And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong."

And he said to Jesus: "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom."

And Jesus said to him: "Amen, I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise."

And it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in the middle.

And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said: "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit."

And having said this, he expired.

The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection

(Gospel according to Saint Luke 24:1-7)

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.

And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,

But when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed about it, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.

And as they were afraid and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said to them: "Why seek ye the living among the dead?

He is not here, but is risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was yet in Galilee,

Saying: ‘The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’"

The Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Jesus

(Gospel according to Saint Mark 16:19)

So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit

(Acts of the Apostles 2:1-4)

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Magnificat

(Gospel according to Saint Luke 1:46-49)

And Mary said: "My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour,

For he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid. Behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed,

For he that is mighty hath done great things for me, and holy is his name."

The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Woman Clothed with the Sun

(Book of Revelation 12:1)

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.

The First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan

(Gospel according to Saint Matthew 3:16-17)

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

And lo, a voice from heaven, saying: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

The Second Luminous Mystery: The Wedding at Cana

(Gospel according to Saint John 2:1-11)

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there:

And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him: "They have no wine."

Jesus saith unto her: "Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come."

His mother saith unto the servants: "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

Jesus saith unto them: "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim.

And he saith unto them: "Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast." And they bare it.

When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants which drew the water knew), the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

And saith unto him: "Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now."

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

The Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God

(Gospel according to Saint Mark 1:14-15)

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

And saying: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."

The Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration

(Gospel according to Saint Matthew 17:1-8)

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart,

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Then answered Peter and said unto Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias."

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, "Arise, and be not afraid."

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

The Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist

(Gospel according to Saint Matthew 26:26-29)

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said: "Take, eat; this is my body."

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: "Drink ye all of it;

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom."