THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
DAYS OF EACH MYSTERY, SPIRITUAL FRUIT OF EACH MYSTERY, FEAST DAYS AND THIER BIBLICAL PASSAGES
Growing up, my mom made us say the Rosary daily either in the morning or at night. But in recent times, I have found out families hardly make out time to pray the Rosary. Parents hardly allow their kids attend Block Rosary (A Crusade where children gather to always say the Rosary).
You cannot underestimate the power the Rosary carries which is seen in the 15 promises of the Rosary
A friend I was grooming said she doesn't know the mysteries of the Rosary as she's learning to say the Rosary.. and I know so many persons are trying to learn too.
The Mysteries of the Rosary helps us to meditate the life of our Lord Jesus Christ from birth unto his resurrection.
HOW MANY MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY?
There are 4 Mysteries of the Rosary.
Each Mysteries has 5 decade (including spiritual fruits) which makes it 20 decade of the Rosary.
Now let's look at the Mysteries.
- JOYFUL MYSTERIES
- LUMINOUS MYSTERIES OR MYSTERIES OF LIGHT
- SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
- GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES (said on Mondays & Saturdays)
1. THE ANNUNCIATION.
Angel Gabriel announced to Mary in Luke 10: 27- 34; "the Angel said to her don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you, you will become pregnant and give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus".
Spiritual Fruit: HUMILITY
Feast of annunciation is celebrated on 25th March every year.
2. THE VISITATION
Mary went to see her cousin Elizabeth in Judea. Luke 1:39-42 Soon afterwards Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the Hill country of Judea she went into Zachariah's house and greeted Elizabeth when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and said in a loud voice, "you are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
Spiritual Fruit: LOVE OF NEIGBOUR
Feast of visitation is celebrated on the 31st May.
3. THE NATIVITY (Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ)
Our Lord and Savior was born in a manger. Luke: 2: 6-7 And while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloth and laid him in a manger- there was no room for them to stay in the inn.
The birth of Jesus was also recorded in Matt 1:18-25.
Spiritual Fruit: DETACHMENT FROM THE THINGS OF THE WORLD
The Birth of Jesus is celebrated 25th of December (Christmas day)
4. THE PRESENTATION OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
To fulfill the scripture, Jesus was presented in the temple. Luke 2: 23 As it is written in the law of the lord. "Every First-born male is to be dedicated to the Lord". They also went to offer a sacrifice of a pair of doves or two young pigeons as required by the law of the Lord.
Spiritual Fruit: OBEDIENCE
Feast of the presentation is celebrated 40days after Christmas.
5. THE FINDING OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
Jesus stayed back in the temple after his parents had left. Luke 2:41-52 On the third day they found him in the temple sitting with the Jewish teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his intelligent answers.
Spiritual Fruit: PIETY / PERSEVERANCE
THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES (Said on Thursdays)
1. THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
The baptism of Jesus at River Jordan. Mark 1:9-11 Not long afterwards, Jesus came from Nazareth in the province of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordon. As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, he saw heaven opening and the spirit coming down on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "you are my own dear son. I am pleased with you"
Matt 3:13-17 and Luke 3:21-23 also recorded the Baptism
Spiritual Fruit: OPENESS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
2. THE SELF-MANIFESTATION
The Miracle at Cana. Jesus changed water into wine John 2:1-11 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill these jars with water". They filled them to the brim and he told them, "Now draw some water out and take it to the man in charge of the feast". They took him the water, which now had turned into wine, and he tasted it.
Spiritual Fruit: INTERCESSION (TO JESUS THROUGH MARY)
Self Manifestation is the First Miracle of Jesus to be recorded.
3. THE PROCLAMATION
Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom of God. mark 1:14-15 After John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and preached the Good News from God. The right time has come he said, "and the kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News".
Spiritual Reading: REPENTANCE/TRUST IN GOD
4. THE TRANSFIGURATION
About a week after I had said these things, Jesus took Peter, John and James with him and went up a hill to pray. while he was praying, his face changed its appearance, and his clothes became dazzling white. suddenly two men were there talking with him. They were Moses and Elijah, who appeared heavenly glory and talked with Jesus about the way in which he would soon fulfill God's purpose by dying Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were sound asleep, but they woke up and saw Jesus' glory and the two men who were standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "master, how good it is that we are here,! we will make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."( he did not really know what he was saying). while he was still speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them with its shadow; and the disciples were afraid as the cloud came over them. A voice said from the cloud, "this is my son, whom I have chosen-listen to him''. When he voice stopped, there was Jesus all alone. The disciples kept quiet about all this and told no one at that time anything they had seen.
Spiritual Fruit: DESIRE FOR HOLINESS
5. THE INSTITUTION OF THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST
Jesus gave himself in the Institution of the most Holy Eucharist. Mark 14:22-26 While they were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks broke it and gave it to his disciples. "Take it" he said, this is my body. Then he took a cup, gave thanks to God, and handed it to them; and they drank from it. Jesus said, "This is my blood which is poured out for many, My blood which seals God's covenant.
Also, Luke 22:19-20 Matt 26: 26-30 recorded the Institution of the Eucharist.
Spiritual Fruit: ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AT MASS/EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Institution of the most Holy Eucharist is celebrated at the feast of last super Holy Thursday.
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES (said on Tuesdays & Friday)
1. THE PRAYER & AGONY IN THE GARDEN
When the time Drew close for Jesus to be crucified he took with him Peter, James and John and went to the garden to pray. Luke 22:39 - 45 Jesus left the city and went, as he usually did, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples went with him. when he arrived at the place, he said to them, pray that you will not fall into temptation. "Then he went off from them about the distance of a stone's throw and knelt down and prayed. Father, he said, "if you will, take this cup of suffering away from me. Not my will, however, but your will be done." An Angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. In great anguish he prayed even more fervently; his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Rising from his prayer, he went back to the disciples and found them asleep, worn out by their grief. He said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you will not fall into temptation."
Spiritual Fruit: CONFORMITY TO THE WILL OF GOD/ACT OF CONTRITION
2. THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR
Matt 27:26 Our Lord Jesus was whipped and treated like a criminal. Then Pilate set Barabbas free for them; and after he had Jesus whipped, he handed him over to be crucified. Also Luke 22:63 recorded this.
Spiritual Fruit: PURITY/ MORTIFICATION
Scourging at the pillar
3. THE CROWNING WITH THORNS
Pilate made a crown of thorns and ordered the soldiers to place it on his head. Matt 27:28-31 they stripped of his clothes and put a scarlet robe on him. Then they made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it on his head, and put a stick in his right hand; then they knelt before him and made fun of him. "Long live the king of the Jews!" they said. They spat on him, and took the stick and hit him over the head. When they had finished making fun of him, they took the robe off and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
Spiritual Fruit: MORAL COURAGE
Good Friday marks the Crowning with thorns
4. THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS
Jesus was made to carry a heavy cross Luke 23: 26; The soldiers let Jesus away, and as they were going, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon who was coming into the city from the country. They seized him, put the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. Matt 27:32.
Spiritual Fruit: PATIENCE
Carrying of the Cross is
5. THE CRUCIFIXION
He was crucified and died on the cross for our sins. Matt 27:35-50. They crucified him and divided his clothes among them by throwing dice. At noon the whole country was covered with darkness, which lasted for three hours. At about three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud shout, "Eli, Eli lema sabachthani?" Which means, "My God, my God, why did you abandon me?" Jesus again gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
Spiritual Fruit: SELF DENIAL/SALVATION
Good Friday marks the Crucifixion and Death of our Lord.
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES (said on Wednesdays & Sundays)
1. The Resurrection
Just as the scripture says, for the words of God to be fulfilled, He rose up on the third day. Matt 28:1-7 After the Sabbath, as Sunday morning was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake; an Angel of the lord came down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and sat in it. The Resurrection was also recorded in Luke 24: 1-7 .
Spiritual Fruit: FAITH
The Feast of The Resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday.
2. The Ascension
It is believed that Jesus ascended into Heaven, Luke 24:50-52, Then he led them out of the city as far as Bethany, where he raised his hands and blessed them. As he was blessing them, he departed from them and was taken up into heaven. They worshipped him and went back into Jerusalem filled with great joy.
Acts of the Apostles 1:9 took record of the Ascension
Spiritual Fruit: HOPE/DESIRE FOR HEAVEN
Feast of Ascension comes 40 days after Easter (marks the end of Easter Celebration).
3. Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles
Jesus promised his disciples while still with them, that the Holy Spirit would come upon them and would be their advocate. Acts 1: 8, But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth". Acts 2: 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the spirit enabled them to speak.
Spiritual Fruit: WISDOM/LOVE OF GOD
Pentecost marks the feast of Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and it is usually celebrated 50 days after Easter.
4. The Assumption
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Into Heaven. According to the Catholic Doctrine, Blessed Virgin Mary assumed body and soul into heaven. There's no bible verse to back up this, but revelation 12 describes the assumption into heavenly glory
Spiritual Fruit: DEVOTION TO MARY
Feast of Assumption is celebrated 15th August every year
5. The Coronation
Mary was crowned to be the Queen of Angels and ours forever. This reminds us of the Queenship of our Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Spiritual Fruit: ETERNAL HAPPINESS
Queenship of Mary is celebrated 22nd of August