Glorious Mysteries

Glorious Mysteries

Prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays

The Glorious mysteries ” lead the faithful to an ever greater appreciation of their new life in Christ, lived in the heart of the Church, a life of which the scene of Pentecost itself is the great ‘icon.’ The glorious mysteries thus lead the faithful to greater hope for the eschatological goal toward which they journey as members of the pilgrim People of God in history. This can only impel them to bear courageous witness to that ‘good news’ which gives meaning to their entire existence. “

Apostolic Letter of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, “Rosarium Virginis Mariae” (On the Most Holy Rosary), October 16, 2002 at 30-31.

First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen'” (Lk 24:1-5).

“If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain’ (1 Cor 15:14). The Resurrection above all constitutes the confirmation of all Christ’s works and teachings” (CCC, 651).

Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension.

“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)

“This final stage stays closely linked to the first, that is, to his descent from heaven in the Incarnation. Only the one who came from the Father’ can return to the Father: Christ Jesus” (CCC, 661)

Third Glorious Mystery: The descent of the Holy Spirit.

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one 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 2:1-4).

“‘Holy Spirit’ is the proper name of the one whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son. The Church has received this name from the Lord and professes it in the Baptism of her new children” (CCC, 691).

Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption.

“Henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me” (Lk 1:48-49).

“The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son’s Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body” (CCC, 974).

Fifth Glorious Mystery: The crowning of Our Lady Queen of Heaven.

“And a great portent 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).

“Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death” (CCC, 966).