When praying the Rosary on Monday or Saturday the Catholic Church recommends praying the Joyful Mysteries.
The Joyful Mysteries are one of the original group of mysteries of the Rosary. The Joyful Mysteries are about the birth and childhood of Jesus. The Sorrowful Mysteries discuss Jesus’ death and crucifixion and the Glorious Mysteries are about his resurrection. The Luminous Mysteries filled in the gap between the Joyful Mysteries and the Sorrowful Mysteries, and discuss Jesus’ ministry. There’s even a version of the rosary for the dead.
The Joyful Mysteries give us the opportunity to meditate on Jesus’ arrival. He is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. This is cause for celebration for we were lost, but now we see. We were damned, but now we’re saved. As you go through the Joyful Mysterious pray our lady’s intercession. You can also pray along with this video.
Below are the five mysteries of the Joyful Mysteries.
1. The Annunciation
And when the angel had come to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women.”
(Luke 1:28)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Humility
Jesus calls us to live a humble life. In The Annunciation, we see our Blessed mother act humbly and obey God’s wishes.
2. The Visitation
Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice: “Blest are you among women and blest is the fruit of your womb.”
(Luke 1:41-42)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Love of Neighbor
In The Visitation, Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth in her time of need. She serves her neighbor and her family.
3. The Birth of Jesus
She gave birth to her first-born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the place where travelers lodged.
(Luke 2:7)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Poverty, Detachment from the things of the World
Jesus was born in a manger. Not in an inn, but where the animals lived. The savior of man came from humble beginnings. Jesus says it is hard for a rich man to enter into heaven. Our lord was brought into this world in the poorest of ways.
4. The Presentation of Jesus
When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought Him up to Jerusalem so that He could be presented to the Lord, for it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every first-born male shall be consecrated to the Lord.”
(Luke 2:22-23)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Obedience
Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple in accordance with Jewish law and tradition. We are called to be obedient to the Lord and the Church. The Holy family sets an example for all of us to learn from.
5. Finding Jesus in The Temple
On the third day they came upon Him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
(Luke 2:46)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Joy in finding Jesus, Piety
We should find joy in Jesus. He came to save us.
How To Pray The Rosary
- Make the Sign of the Cross and say the “Apostles’ Creed”
- First, say the “Our Father”
- Say three “Hail Marys”
- Then say the “Glory Be”
- Announce the First Mystery and then say the “Our Father”
- Say ten “Hail Marys” while meditating on the Mystery
- Say the “Glory Be” (Optional: Say the “O My Jesus” (Also known as Fatima Prayer) prayer)
- Announce the Next Mystery; then say the “Our Father” and repeat these steps (5 through 8) as you continue through the remaining Mysteries.
- Say the closing prayers: the “Hail Holy Queen”(Salve Regina) and “Final Prayer”
- Make the “Sign of the Cross”
You don’t have to say it out loud. Feel free to say it in your head
Prayers of The Rosary
Below are the prayers required to pray the Rosary.
Sign of The Cross
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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;
on the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there He will 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.
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
The Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you 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
The Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
O My Jesus (Fatima Prayer – Optional)
O My Jesus
forgive us our sins.
Save us from the fires of hell
Lead all souls to heaven
Especially those who are in most need of thy mercy
Amen
Learn more about Fatima at the Fatima Novena Page.
The Hail Holy Queen (The Salve Regina)
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
to you we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Final Prayer (Optional)
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 meditating upon 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.
