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HISTORY OF THE ROSARY

The Divine Praises

The call to pray seven times a day – seven being a number that symbolizes fullness – is found in the Old Testament (cf. Ps 118[119]:164). Its purpose was to extend prayer throughout the day and thus sanctify each day with prayer. The same ideal was reaffirmed by the New Testament, where the Lord Jesus Christ Himself reminds us of the need to “pray always and not to lose heart” (Lk 18:1).

Early Christians continued the Jewish practice of reciting prayers at certain hours of the day and night. Prayers included the chanting of psalms, scriptural readings and the singing of hymns. Over time, the public worship of the Church developed into its own daily cycle of divine services, known as the Divine Praises or the Divine Office: Matins, the Hours, Vespers, Compline and the Midnight Service.

Over the course of the centuries, the services were enriched by writings of the Fathers of the Church, and the composition of new prayers and hymns to reflect the different seasons of the liturgical year. To this day, the Divine Praises serves as a well-spring of grace, a source of spiritual nourishment, and a treasury of precious pearls for daily prayer and contemplation.

Despite the beauty and richness of the Divine Praises, the services are not easy. They require the use of several different liturgical books, and their full observance, eight hours in length, is possible only in monasteries. To allow for eparchial clergy and even laity to participate in the public prayer of the Church, an abbreviated form of the Divine Praises was published as one book, known as the Molytvoslov or Breviary.

Today, priests in the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church are obligated by particular law to pray one of the divine services from the Molytvoslov during the course of each day.

The Psalms

Since the psalms are an integral part of the Divine Praises, another way in which one could participate in the public prayer of the Church without following a cycle of daily services was to simply recite or chant the 150 psalms of the Old Testament on a regular basis.

Originally, hermits living in the deserts of Egypt in the third century would recite all 150 psalms every day. Since this eventually proved too long or trying a task for those living in community or in the world, the psalter was divided into parts and recited in sections over the course of a week.

Nevertheless, reciting the psalms was not an easy task. It was open only to those who could read, obtain a copy of the psalter, and have enough knowledge of Holy Scripture to understand and pray the text.

The Prayer Rope

Living in the deserts of Egypt, hermits who could not read needed to replace the 150 psalms with an alternate prayer rule. With the help of others, they memorized prayers, entire psalms, or Scriptural verses, and repeated them together with a set number of prostrations. To keep count of prayers and prostrations, pebbles were placed from one bowl to another, but this method proved to be impractical when outside the monastic cell.

The introduction of the prayer rope (in Greek: komboskini; in Ukrainian: vervytsia or chotky) is historically attributed to St. Pachomius the Great (c. 292–346), an early Egyptian ascetic of the fourth century, a Desert Father and founder of community (cenobitic) monasticism. Illiterate monks who joined his community were given a prayer rope with knots to keep count of their assigned prayers and prostrations.

As a practical tool, the prayer rope also helped to keep the mind attentive. It allowed the monks to extend their prayer throughout the day by easily practicing their rule both in and outside their cells.

The number of knots on a prayer rope varied. Desert hermits may have used prayer ropes with as many as 300 or 500 knots. Historically, however, the most common prayer rope had 100 knots, although ropes with 150 or 50 knots were also used—thus maintaining a numerical connection with the psalter.

A knotted cross was added where the prayer rope joins together to form a loop, and sometimes a tassel was attached to the end of the cross. Eventually, for ease of counting, beads were also added at certain intervals between knots (usually 10 or 25 knots).

Prayer Rules

Over the centuries, many different prayer rules developed to help monastics and faithful in the daily use of the prayer rope. Specific prayers, and the number of prayers and prostrations would vary with each rule. Most prayer rules were associated with the repetition of the prayer referred to as the Jesus Prayer:
“Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

This short prayer unites three New Testament prayers into one:

the prayer of the blind man, Bartimaeus,
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mk 10:47, Lk 18:38);
the prayer of two blind beggars,
“Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” (Mt 20:30); and
the prayer of the publican,
“God, be merciful to me a sinner” (Lk 18:13).

Some basic form of this prayer was recited by monks in the Egyptian desert in the fourth century and the final form appeared in Egypt sometime between the 6th–8th century. This final form is used by monastics and faithful to this day; and the most common prayer rule associated with it is the Prayer Rule of St. Pachomius.

Historically, other well-known prayers were repeated over and over, using a prayer rope made with knots or simple beads. A common prayer rule in the West was to repeat the Lord’s Prayer “Our Father” (Pater Noster) 150 times. This practice was given the name the Pater Noster psalter, and was later called the Pater Noster rosary (rosarium in Latin, meaning “crown (garland) of roses,” or “rose garden”).

Another prayer rule, believed to have been given by the Mother of God herself in the eighth century, was the repetition of the Angelic Salutation
“Rejoice, Mother of God” 150 times.

Practiced by many Christians in the East, it fell into disuse over time, and was revived in the eighteenth century by St. Seraphim of Sarov (1754–1833).

As he walked around the perimeter of the Diveyevo Monastery, with prayer rope in hand, St. Seraphim repeated the Angelic Salutation 150 times, while meditating on 15 events associated with the life of the Virgin Mary and our Lord Jesus Christ. One decade of prayer was recited for each event (mystery), with specific prayer intentions in mind. St. Seraphim personally practiced this rule every day, and he taught and encouraged others to do likewise.

The mysteries and intentions of this Marian Rule are described as follows:

The Nativity of the Mother of God
(for the intentions of mothers and their children).
The Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple
(for those who are lost and have fallen away from the Church).
The Annunciation to the Most Holy Mother of God
(for those who suffer, for their comfort and joy, and for an end to their trials and tribulations).
The Visitation to St. Elizabeth
(for who are separated, lost, or missing without notice, that they be reunited with their families).
The Nativity of Christ
(for the rebirth of souls and their new life in Christ).
The Encounter of the Lord in the Temple
(that the Mother of God intercede for souls at the moment of death, guiding them safely through judgment (the toll-houses)).
The Flight of Mary and Child to Egypt
(that the Mother of God help us flee from temptations and deliver us from evil).
The Finding of the 12-year old Jesus in the Temple
(that we may find Christ in this life, and not be attached to the vanity of this world).
The Miracle in Cana of Galilee
(for help in all things, and deliverance from all misfortune).
The Mother of God Beneath the Cross of the Lord
(for help in all times of tribulation).
The Resurrection of Christ
(for the resurrection of the soul, for strength and perseverance in all spiritual battles).
The Ascension of Christ
(for souls leave the vain things of the world behind and to strive for what is above).
The Upper Room and the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Mother of God
The Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God
(for a peaceful, painless and unashamed end to our lives).
The Glorification of the Mother of God
(crowned by the Lord God after her transfer from earth to heaven).

The Angelic Salutation

One of the oldest Marian prayers in the Christian East is the Angelic Salutation, which developed gradually, from the 4th to the 6th century. In essence, the prayer combines two scripture verses from the Gospel of Luke: the salutation (greeting) of the Archangel Gabriel addressed to Mary (Lk 1:28); and the salutation of St. Elizabeth, also addressed to Mary (Lk 1:42).

The earliest form of this prayer appears in the ancient Greek Liturgy of St. James and that of St. Mark, already in use in the fourth century. The original text was as follows:
“Rejoice (Mary), full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of Your womb, for you have borne the Saviour of our souls.”

After the Council of Constantinople (391), which defined Mary’s perpetual virginity, and the Council of Ephesus (431), which solemnly proclaimed Mary’s divine motherhood, the words Virgin and Theotokos (God-bearer) were added to the prayer.

In the 6th century, the final formula of the prayer was accepted by the Byzantine Church and introduced into liturgical use. It appears for the first time in the Ritual of Severus of Antioch (d. 538 AD) and was recited during Baptism.

By the end of the 12th century, the Angelic Salutation became a common daily prayer for the faithful of the Christian East, recited together with the Lord’s Prayer and the Nicene Creed (Symbol of Faith).

In the West, a shorter form of the Angelic Salutation was introduced into the Roman Liturgy of the Annunciation by Pope Gregory the Great (590–604). The original ending of the prayer “for you have borne the Savior of our souls” was replaced with the single word, “Jesus,” by Pope Urban IV (1261–1264); and the petition
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death” was added in the fifteenth century.

The final Latin form was approved and introduced into the Roman Office by Pope Pius V in 1568.

The Marian Rosary

As the Angelic Salutation became popular in the West, it too was said 150 (or 100 or 50) times with the help of a prayer rope or beads. Soon, the Psalter of the Virgin or Ave Maria rosary became more popular than the Pater Noster rosary.

Initially the prayer rule consisted simply of repeating the prayer, over and over. In the 14th century, Henry of Kalkar, the Visitator for the Carthusian Order, grouped the 150 Angelic Salutations into decades, and added the recitation of one “Our Father” before each decade.

The idea of meditating on the life of the Virgin Mary and our Lord Jesus Christ at different parts of the rosary was also explored in the 14th century. But it was not until the early 15th century that a rational scheme for such contemplation became well known. The innovator was another Carthusian monk and author, Dominic of Prussia (1382–1460), who was born in Poland and died at Trier. Dominic proposed fifty events for contemplation.

A critic of Dominic, the Dominican priest Alanus de Rupe (1428–1475) suggested 150 events. But the practical difficulty of dealing even with 50 events led to the shortening and categorizing of events. By the 16th century, they had been sorted into three sets of five events, each thematically known as joyful, sorrowful, or glorious mysteries.

One “Our Father” and a decade of “Ave Maria” was recited for each event-mystery; a total of 50 Angelic Salutations for each category, and total of 150 for all three categories, maintaining a numeric connection with the psalter.

In 2002, Pope John Paul II opened a new chapter in the history of the rosary by adding a new category of five events to the traditional three categories. He called them the luminous mysteries or mysteries of light. With this new addition, the numeric connection with the psalter has been broken. The new total for the rosary became 200 Angelic Salutations, recited in association with four categories and twenty event-mysteries.

Adaptations for Eastern Christians

Over the last two centuries, with certain adaptations, the Marian rosary or Psalter of the Virgin has gradually become an integral part of the spiritual heritage of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church. As a prayer devotion to the Mother of God, it is practiced by many clergy, religious and faithful.

Prayers used in the Eastern version of the rosary include the Prayer to the Holy Spirit “Heavenly King,” the Usual Beginning Prayers (Nachalo in Old Slavonic) with which almost every divine service begins, the Paschal Troparion “Christ is Risen” used during the Paschal season, the Nicene Creed instead of the Apostles Creed, the ancient form of the Angelic Salutation “Rejoice, Mother of God,” and other ancient Marian prayers from the Byzantine tradition.

For centuries, the Byzantine Church has observed various events of the life of the Virgin Mary with the celebration of Marian feast days such as: the Conception of Mary by St. Ann (December 9); the Nativity of the Mother of God (September 9); the Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple (November 21); the Annunciation to the Mother of God (March 25); the Dormition of the Mother of God (August 15); the Holy Protection of the Mother of God (October 1). With the exception of the feast of the Holy Protection, the celebration of all Marian feasts originated in the East, and in time, spread to the West.

In order to bring all these events into the practice of the Marian rosary for Eastern Christians, this publication proposes a few adaptations to event-mysteries, and for private use, a new additional category of five decades referred to as the mysteries of hope. With the help of this new category, the faithful are invited to contemplate more deeply on the life of Mary and her role in salvation history, as expressed and celebrated historically in the liturgical tradition of the East.

The following categories offer a total of 25 event-mysteries for contemplation, recited with a total of 250 Angelic Salutations.

Mysteries of Hope (Mondays)

The First Gospel: The Promised Saviour (Gen 3:15)
The Conception of Mary by Saint Anna
The Nativity of the Mother of God
The Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple
The Betrothal of Mary to Joseph

Mysteries of Joy (Tuesdays)

The Annunciation to the Virgin Mary
The Visitation: St. Elizabeth greets Mary
The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
The Encounter in the Temple
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Mysteries of Light (Thursdays)

Theophany – The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
The First Miracle in Cana of Galilee
The Kingdom of God is Proclaimed
The Transfiguration of our Lord
The Mystical Supper

Mysteries of Sorrow (Wednesdays and Fridays)

The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane
The Arrest and Scourging
The Crowning with Thorns
Jesus Carries the Cross
The Crucifixion

Mysteries of Glory (Saturdays and Sundays)

The Resurrection of our Lord
The Ascension of our Lord
Pentecost: The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Dormition of the Mother of God
The Glorification of Mary and Her Holy Protection

ELEMENTS OF THE ROSARY

The Physical Object

The rosary is a circlet containing five groups of beads, with a pendant string of five beads and a cross. One begins on the cross with the sign of the cross and a blessing. This is followed with the Beginning Prayers (Usual Beginning), a series of prayers that serve as a “spiritual warm up.” They begin almost every divine service in the Byzantine tradition: Glory to God, the Prayer to the Holy Spirit, (the Paschal Troparion during the Easter season), the Small Doxology, the Trisagion Prayers, and the Lord’s Prayer.

The Nicene Creed is recited on the first bead after the cross.
On the next three beads each Person of the Trinity is glorified and the Mother of God is honoured with the recitation of the Angelic Salutation, “Rejoice, Mother of God.”

The Small Doxology “Glory Be” is recited on the string after the third bead.
On the next bead (the last bead on the pendant), the mystery for meditation is announced. Then, the “Our Father” is recited, which already belongs to the first group of ten beads (a decade) within the circlet. The “Our Father” is recited on the distinct bead before each decade of beads.

The “Rejoice, Mother of God” is recited on each of the ten beads that follow.
The “Glory Be” is recited in the string, after the last bead of each decade. The prayer given by the Blessed Virgin Mary during her apparitions at Fatima in 1917 may also be added here.

The rosary concludes with the recitation or chanting of the ancient Byzantine Marian prayer, “It is truly right.” Additional prayers are optional.

Sign of the Cross

†In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

The sign of the cross is a prayer, a blessing, an expression of faith and a remembrance of baptism. It prepares us to receive God’s grace and disposes us to cooperate with it. With the sign of the cross we are blessed and consecrated to God, and so is our prayer, work or activities that follow.

In Eastern Churches, the sign of the cross is made with three fingers joined together (the thumb, index and middle fingers) to express faith in the Holy Trinity. The last two (ring and little finger) are pressed against the palm, as an expression of faith that Jesus is both God and man. The sign of the cross is made by touching the forehead, the stomach, the right and left shoulders, while saying:
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Glory to God

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!

This short and simple prayer summarizes and expresses the very purpose of our life: to glorify God. God has created us for His own glory (Is 43:7); and St. Paul reminds us:
“Whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31).

To glorify God is to bring Him honour through what we say, how we act, and how we think. To glorify God means to acknowledge His greatness, beauty and splendour, and make it known to others. We glorify God by our sense of gratitude, our love, our faith, our trust, our desire to surrender, to listen and to obey His word. We glorify God by our desire to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him.
“I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever” (Ps 86:12).

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life, come and dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, and, O Good One, save our souls.

This ancient prayer was composed by the Fathers of the Church during the first Christian centuries (circa third or fourth century). It is sung at the vigil service of Pentecost, and prayed throughout the year: at the beginning of every divine service, private prayer, good work or public assembly.

The composition of the prayer was directly inspired by the Gospel of John. At the Mystical Supper, Jesus promised that the Father will give another “Advocate,” “the Spirit of Truth” (Jn 14:16-17). Jesus said:
“the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you” (Jn 14:25-26);
“He will be in you” (Jn 14:17);
“the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify on My behalf” (Jn 15:26);
“He will guide you into all truth” (Jn 16:13);
“He will declare to you the things that are to come” (Jn 16:13); and
“He will glorify Me” (Jn 16:14).

It is not possible to profess faith in God or even pray to Him without the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
“No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 12:3).
In the same way, no one can say “Abba, Father” unless the Holy Spirit indwells and bears witness with our spirit “that we are children of God” (Rom 8:16).
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words... the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Rom 8:26).

It is through the action of the Holy Spirit that we draw near to God and come to know Him in the Mystery of the Trinity.

The Trisagion

†Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

The Trisagion, which means “thrice holy,” is short prayer of worship, professing the holiness and transcendence of God, while acknowledging our own unworthiness and need for mercy. The prayer is Trinitarian: The Father is Holy God, the Son is Holy Mighty, the Holy Spirit is Holy Immortal.

This prayer was divinely inspired. During a severe earthquake at Constantinople, while the patriarch, St. Proclus (434-446), was leading the people in prayer, a boy was “lifted up into the air” and heard the angels singing: “Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal.”

When the boy reported what had happened, all the began to sing the hymn, adding to it the petition, “have mercy on us.” The earthquakes ceased and the city was spared of further destruction. Subsequently, the Trisagion was introduced into the Byzantine Liturgy at Constantinople some time between 430 and 450 AD.

Small Doxology

†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

The word doxology comes from the Greek doxa, meaning “glory,” and the Greek word logos, meaning “word” or “speaking.” A doxology is a word, a prayer or hymn praising God. The small doxology is a short prayer of praise, glorifying the one true God, in three Divine Persons. It came into use in the third or fourth century and was used to oppose the heretical teachings of Arius and others.

Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity

Trinity most holy have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord; pardon our transgressions, O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your name. Lord, have mercy (3). †Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

This is a prayer of petition, a plea for God’s mercy and love. In this Trinitarian prayer we ask the Father to cleanse us of our sins; the Son to pardon our transgressions; and the Holy Spirit to visit and heal our weaknesses. The prayer ends with a small doxology, in praise of the Most Holy Trinity.

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father. Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven: By the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed was formulated at the first two Ecumenical Councils. At the first council, held in 325 at Nicaea, the first seven articles were adopted. The second council, which convened in 381 at Constantinople, added the last five articles of the Creed. It is often simply referred to as the Nicene Creed, the Symbol of Faith or Profession of Faith.

The Lord’s Prayer

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.

In early preparations for baptism, the Nicene Creed and the Lord’s Prayer were the last secrets of the faith to be taught and explained to candidates. Having memorized the Creed, the candidates went on to memorize the Lord’s Prayer, which they were not allowed to recite before they were baptized. This prayer was called the prayer of the faithful, “for only the baptized who are already the children of God had the privilege of calling God their Father and saying ‘Our Father, who art in heaven.’”

The Lord’s Prayer was given by Christ Himself in the gospel. At the heart of the gospel, it summarizes the gospel. It is the most perfect of prayers. Everything that is prayer is contained in this prayer. We might even say that outside of this prayer there is no prayer. We call this prayer, which we received and learned from Jesus Himself, the Lord’s Prayer, because He is the Teacher and Model for our prayer.

According to the early church document known as the Didache (circa 100), one should say the “Our Father” three times daily, in honour of the Trinity. Those prayer the rosary say it six times, twice the ancient suggestion.

In the invocation “Our Father” we profess that God is our Father, and that we are His children. It expresses an entire new relationship with God. We pray to God the Father, who is “in heaven,” which refers to His divine majesty. He is not a distant Father, but one who is everywhere present, dwelling in the hearts of the righteous.

By the words “hallowed be Thy name” we confess that holiness belongs to God alone. To Him is due all glory, honour and worship.

In the petition “Thy Kingdom come” we ask that the grace of God might grow and increase in us and in the whole world. It also refers to the final coming of the Kingdom of God through Christ’s return.

With the words “Thy will be done” we accept God’s plan in our regards, imitating Christ’s prayer in the garden of Gethsemane: “Father... not my will but yours be done” (Lk 22:42).

As children of God, with confidence we can ask for that which we need most: “bread,” meaning all that is essential for our life on earth, and “heavenly” bread, the Word of God and the Body of Christ received in the Eucharist. Anyone who eats of this Bread will not die but will live forever (cf. Jn 6:50-51). The words “give us this day” indicates that we must ask our Father daily to provide us with what we need; and He will provide. We can trust Him without reservation.

By the words “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, we ask for God’s forgiveness, but at the same time acknowledge that we must do the same. By confessing our sins and forgiving those who tresspassed against us, we open our hearts to God’s grace, His mercy and forgiveness

In the petition “lead us not into temptation,” we express our faith that God will not allow us to be tempted over and above our endurance, and that with every temptation He will give us the strength to resist (cf. 1 Cor 10:13).

In the words “deliver us from evil,” we express awareness of our human frailty, and pray to the Father for protection from the Evil One, who seeks to deceive us.

Then we say “Amen,” which means “So be it.” This sets the seal upon the petitions of the prayer given to us by the Divine Teacher.

The Angelic Salutation

Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Deliverer (Redeemer) of our souls.

This is one of the oldest Marian prayers in the Christian East, which developed from the 4th to the 6th century. In essence, the prayer combines two scripture verses from the Gospel of Luke: the salutation (greeting) of the Archangel Gabriel addressed to Mary (Lk 1:28); and the salutation of St. Elizabeth, also addressed to Mary (Lk 1:42).

After the Council of Constantinople (391) and the Council of Ephesus (431), the words Virgin and Theotokos (God-bearer) were added to the prayer. In the sixth century, the final formula of the prayer was accepted by the Byzantine Church and introduced into liturgical use.

When we recite the Angelic Salutation, we join the Archangel Gabriel and St. Elizabeth in greeting the Mother of God with the very words of Holy Scripture, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

The Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

The Decade Prayer for the rosary, commonly known as the Fatima Prayer, is the newest prayer to be added to the rosary. It was revealed by Our Lady of Fatima on July 13, 1917. The Virgin Mary asked the three shepherd children, Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia, to recite it at the end of each decade of the rosary. It was approved for public use in 1930, and has since become a common (though optional) part of the rosary.

It Is Truly Right to Bless You

It is truly right to bless you, O God-bearing One, as the ever-blessed and immaculate Mother of our God. More honourable than the cherubim and by far more glorious than the seraphim; ever a virgin, you gave birth to God the Word, O true Mother of God, we magnify you.

The second part of this prayer, “More honourable than the cherubim,” is ancient. It is used frequently in various liturgical services. The origin is unknown. A reference to it is made by St. Ephrem the Syrian (d. 373) in the fourth century.

The first part, “It is truly right,” is believed to have been inspired by a vision of a monk on Mt. Athos in the year 980.

This prayer was introduced into the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom as a hymn in the seventh century by Patriarch Sophronius of Jerusalem (d. 638).

We Flee to the Shelter of Your Mercy

We flee to the shelter of your mercy, O Virgin Mother of God. Do not reject our prayers of anguish, but free us from tribulations, O Only pure and blessed one.

This is the oldest Marian prayer in existence, used equally in the East and the West. A fragment of papyrus with the Greek text of the prayer, found in Egypt (1917), has confirmed that the prayer was already in use in the third century, circa 250, at a time when Christians were being persecuted and exposed to all kinds of dangers, suffering and need. The finding also gives evidence that the Virgin Mary was already being venerated as the Theotokos (God-bearer) long before the Council of Ephesus officially recognized the title in 431.

Originated in Egypt — where Mary and Joseph fled with Jesus (Mt 2:13-15) — the prayer spread throughout the Christian East and West, and is prayed with devotion to this day.

This short but theologically rich prayer is like a cry from the past, the Age of Persecution. It acknowledges the powerful intercession of Mary, and renders true praise to her as the Mother of God.

Most Glorious Ever-Virgin

Most glorious ever-virgin Mother of Christ our God, receive our prayers and bring them to your Son and our God, that through you, He may save our souls.

With this brief prayer, our prayers are offered to our Lord Jesus Christ through the hands of His beloved Mother.

Prayer of St. Joannicius (†846)

†The Father is our hope, the Son our refuge, the Holy Spirit our protection: O Holy Trinity, our God, glory to You!

It is quite fitting to end the rosary with the prayer of St. Joannicius.

A soldier until the age of forty, St. Joannicius (754-846) left the army and devoted his life to asceticism and penitence, at first as a hermit and later as abbot, healer and spiritual guide. He was the founder of many monasteries and became one of the most influential monastics of the 9th century. He was also a fervent defender of the veneration of icons in the midst of the iconoclast persecution of the monks that followed the 7th Ecumenical Council.

While living as a hermit, St. Joannicius came to know the entire psalter by memory. He continually chanted the psalms and after each verse, he prayed: “The Father is my hope, the Son is my refuge, the Holy Spirit is my protection.”

And so, we too, conclude the rosary, the Psalter of the Virgin, with the prayer of St. Joannicius.

O Holy Trinity, our God, glory to You!

BEGINNING PRAYERS

THE LIFE-GIVING CROSS
With Christ’s Death, His Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven, the gates of Paradise have been opened, and the Cross has become for us the “Tree of Life.” The Fruit of this Life-Giving Tree, the gift of the Holy Spirit, symbolized by the outpouring of blood and water from the pierced side of Christ, is offered to us in the Mysteries of Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Eucharist.

Take the Rosary Cross into your right hand, and clinging to it with devotion, make the Sign of the Cross with great reverence. Give glory to God for all that He had done for you, and as you begin to pray, turn to the Holy Spirit for His guidance and intercession:

Sign of the Cross
† In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen. (3)

Glory to God
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!

Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life, come and dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, and, O Good One, save our souls.

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During the Paschal Season, we replace the Glory to God and the Prayer to the Holy Spirit with the Paschal Troparion:

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs giving life. (3)

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THE FIRST BEAD
Holding the first bead, recite the Symbol of Faith, also known as the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed or Nicene Creed. To profess the Creed with faith is to enter into communion with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and also with the whole Church — the living Body of Christ, which has received the faith from the Apostles and transmits it from one generation to the next.

The Symbol of Faith

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father. Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven: By the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

THREE BEADS

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one God, inseparable in what they are, and also inseparable in what they do. Yet each Person shows forth a mission proper to Him within the Most Holy Trinity.

On the first of three beads, recite:

† Glory be to the Father Who created us, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the second bead:

† Glory be to the Son Who redeemed us, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the third bead:

† Glory be to the Holy Spirit Who sanctifies us, and confirms us in the holy catholic and orthodox faith, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string following the last bead:

† Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Scroll to the Mystery

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FIRST MYSTERY OF HOPE
Monday
The Promise of a Saviour
THE LORD GOD called Adam and asked, “Adam, where are you?” He replied, “I heard Your voice in the garden and was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” God said, “Who told you that? Did you eat from the tree I commanded you not to eat from?” Adam said, “The woman you gave me gave me the fruit and I ate.” God said to the woman, “What have you done?” She said, “The serpent deceived me and I ate.” Then God cursed the serpent, saying it will crawl on its belly and eat dust all its life, and there will be enmity between it and the woman, and between its offspring and hers; her offspring will crush its head, and it will strike his heel. (Gen 3:9-15)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

SECOND MYSTERY OF HOPE
Monday
The Conception of Mary by Saint Anna

Behold, an angel of the Lord came to the barren woman Anna and said: “Anna, Anna, the Lord has heard your prayer; you shall conceive and bring forth a child; and your seed shall be spoken of throughout the world.” And Anna said: “As the Lord my God lives, if I give birth to a male or female, I will bring the child as a gift to the Lord my God; and it shall serve Him all the days of its life.” Then, two angels appeared, saying to her: “Behold, Joachim your husband is coming with his flocks. For an angel of the Lord came to him, saying: ‘Joachim, Joachim, the Lord God has heard your prayer. Come down from here; for behold, your wife Anna shall conceive.’” And so, Joachim came with his flocks, while Anna stood by the gate. And when she saw Joachim coming, she ran and hung upon his neck, saying: “Now I know that the Lord God has blessed me exceedingly... the childless one, shall conceive.” (Protoevangelion)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

THIRD MYSTERY OF HOPE
Monday
The Nativity of Mary

After her months were fulfilled, in the ninth month Anna brought forth a child. And she said to the midwife: “What have I brought forth?” And she said: “A girl.” And said Anna: “My soul has been magnified this day.” And she laid her down. And the days having been fulfilled, Anna was purified, and she gave breast to the child, and called her name Mary. The child grew strong day by day. When she was six months old, her mother set her on the ground to see if she could stand, and Mary walked seven steps and came into her bosom. Then Anna lifted her up, saying: “As the Lord my God lives, you shall not walk on this earth until I bring you before the Temple of the Lord.” And she made her bedroom a holy place, permitting nothing common or unclean to come near her. And she called the pure daughters of the Hebrews, and they were led in.

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

FOURTH MYSTERY OF HOPE
Monday

The Entrance of Mary into the Temple

Now when the child was three years old, Joachim said: “Invite the daughters of the Hebrews that are pure, and let them each take a lamp, and let them stand with their lamps burning, so that the child may not turn back, but her heart be captivated from the Temple of the Lord.” And they did so until they went up into the Temple of the Lord. And the priest received her and kissed her; and blessed her, saying: “The Lord has magnified your name in all generations. In you, on the last of days, the Lord will manifest His redemption to the sons of Israel.” Then he set her down upon the third step of the altar, and the Lord God sent grace upon her; and she danced with her feet, and all the house of Israel loved her. And her parents went away filled with wonder, and praising the Lord God, because the child had not turned back. And Mary was in the Temple of the Lord as if she were a dove that dwelt there. (Protoevangelion)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

FIFTH MYSTERY OF HOPE
Monday
The Betrothal to Joseph

The priests at the Temple met in council, saying: “Behold, Mary has reached the age of twelve years. What then shall we do with her?” The high priest, putting on the priestly garment, entered before the holy of holies and prayed concerning her. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, saying, “Go out and assemble the widowers of the people, and let each bring his own staff; and to whom the Lord reveals a sign, his wife will she be.” And so the messengers went throughout all the districts of Judea. When they had gathered together, they went to the high priest. Taking their staffs, the priest entered into the Temple and prayed. Having ended his prayer, he took the staffs, came out and returned them, for there was no sign in them. Joseph took his staff last. And behold, a dove came out of the staff and flew over Joseph’s head. Then the priest said to Joseph, “You have been chosen by lot to take into your care the Virgin of the Lord.” And Joseph took her into his care. (Protoevangelion)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

Scroll to the Concluding Prayers.

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FIRST JOYFUL MYSTERY
Tuesday
The Annunciation to Mary

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name as Mary. And he came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High... and of His kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:26-38)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

SECOND JOYFUL MYSTERY
Tuesday
The Visitation

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.” (Lk 1:39-47)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

THIRD JOYFUL MYSTERY
Tuesday
The nativity of Jesus

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was betrothed and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver the child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in bands of cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Lk 2:1-7)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

FOURTH JOYFUL MYSTERY
Tuesday
The Encounter in the Temple

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout... and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him what was customary under the law, Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing Your servant in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation.” Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed - and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Lk 2:22-40)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

FIFTH JOYFUL MYSTERY
Tuesday
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

When the feast was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it.... When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. When His parents saw Him they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Behold, Your father and I have been searching for You in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand what He said to them. Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. (Lk 2:41-52)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

Scroll to the Concluding Prayers.

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FIRST LUMINOUS MYSTERY
Thursday
The Theophany

John was baptizing in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.... He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. I have baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as He was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on Him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.” (Mk 1:4-12)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

SECOND LUMINOUS MYSTERY
Thursday
The Wedding at Cana

There was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Now standing there were six stone jars... Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the chief steward tasted the water that had become wine... he called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first... But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of His signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed His glory; and his disciples believed in Him. (Jn 2:1-11)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

THIRD LUMINOUS MYSTERY
Thursday
The Proclamation of the Kingdom

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew to Galilee... From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus went through Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. So His fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to Him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and He cured them. And great crowds followed Him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan. When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. Then He began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven....” (Mt 4:12 - 5:11)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

FOURTH LUMINOUS MYSTERY
Thursday
The Transfiguration

Jesus took with Him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became dazzling white. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is My beloved Son, with Him I am well pleased; listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome with fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” (Mt 17:1-8)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

FIFTH LUMINOUS MYSTERY
Thursday
The Mystical Supper

When it was evening, Jesus took His place with the disciples; and while they were eating, He said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to Him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it He broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My Body.” Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My Blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mt 26:20-30)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

Scroll to the Concluding Prayers.

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FIRST SORROWFUL MYSTERY
Wednesday and Friday
The Agony in the Garden

Jesus came out and went, as was His custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed Him. When He reached the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet, not My will but Yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and gave Him strength. In His anguish He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. When He got up from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” (Lk 22:39-46)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

SECOND SORROWFUL MYSTERY
Wednesday and Friday
The Scourging

Pilate entered the praetorium again, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about Me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I?” Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If My kingdom were from this world, My followers would be fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” Pilate asked Him, “What is the truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against Him...” Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. (Jn 18:37-19:1)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

THIRD SORROWFUL MYSTERY
Wednesday and Friday
The Crowning with Thorns

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s praetorium, and they gathered the whole cohort around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on His head. They put a reed into His right hand and knelt before Him and mocking Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. After mocking Him, they stripped Him of the robe and put His own clothes on Him. (Mt 27:27-31)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

FOURTH SORROWFUL MYSTERY
Wednesday and Friday
Jesus Carries the Cross

They took Jesus, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. (Jn 19:17) And as they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on Him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed Him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for Him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children... for if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Him. (Lk 23:26-32)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

FIFTH SORROWFUL MYSTERY
Wednesday and Friday
The Crucifixion

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Him there with the criminals, one on His right and one on His left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide His clothing... It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit!” Having said this, He breathed His last. (Lk 23:33-49)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

Scroll to the Concluding Prayers.

_____________________________________________

FIRST GLORIOUS MYSTERY
Saturday and Sunday
The Resurrection
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised, He is not here. Look, there is the place they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you.” (Mark 16:1-7)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

SECOND GLORIOUS MYSTERY
Saturday and Sunday
The Ascension
When they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, is this the time when You will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or period that the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When He had said this, as they were watching, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. While He was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.” And they... returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God. (Acts 1:6-11; Lk 24:52-53)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

THIRD GLORIOUS MYSTERY
Saturday and Sunday
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now, there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. and at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speak in the native language of each... Peter, standing with the eleven raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say... Jesus the Nazorean... you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law... this Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses....” (Acts 2:1-36)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

FOURTH GLORIOUS MYSTERY
Saturday and Sunday
The Dormition of the Theotokos
At your departing, O Virgin, Mother of God, to Him who was ineffably born of you, James, the first bishop of Jerusalem and brother of the Lord was there, and so was Peter, the honoured leader and chief of the disciples and the whole sacred fellowship of the apostles... Though dispersed throughout the world, clouds caught the apostles up into the air and they were brought together to form a single choir before your most pure body. And burying you with reverence (in Gethsemane), they sang aloud the words of Gabriel: “Rejoice, O full of grace, O unwedded Virgin; the Lord is with you! Entreat your Son and our God to save our souls.” (Festal Menaion, Aug 15) “Arise, O Lord, into Your rest: You and the Ark of Your holiness” (Ps 131:8). “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of the covenant was seen within His temple” (Rev 11:19).

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

FIFTH GLORIOUS MYSTERY
Saturday and Sunday
The Glorification of Mary in Heaven and Her Holy Protection
Let us gloriously sing David’s song to the young Bride, to the Mother of Christ our God and the King of all. O Master, “the Queen stood at Your right hand, clothed in golden robes and adorned with celestial beauty.” You have affirmed her, chosen from among women, and deigned to be born of her because of Your great mercy. You have given her as a help to Your people, to build up and protect Your servants from all misfortunes, O only-blessed One. Let us praise the immaculate Queen of all, the most pure Virgin, the Mother of Christ our God; for she always mercifully extends her hands to her Son... Let us fervently sing to her: Rejoice, O protection, defense, and salvation of our souls! (Menaion, Oct 1)

On the large bead:
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.

On the ten small beads that follow:
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. * Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of our souls.

On the string after the last bead:
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * now and for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Your mercy.

Scroll to the Concluding Prayers.

_____________________________________________

CONCLUDING PRAYERS

It is Truly Right
Tone 6: It is truly right to bless you, * O God-bearing one, * as the ever-blessed and immaculate * Mother of our God. * More honourable than the cherubim * and by far more glorious than the seraphim; * ever a virgin, you gave birth to God the Word, * O true Mother of God, we magnify you.

If you wish, you may continue with the following prayers before concluding your Rosary Prayer.

We flee to the shelter of your mercy, O Virgin Mother of God. Do not reject our prayers of anguish, but free us from tribulations, O only pure and blessed one.

Most glorious, ever-virgin, Mother of God, receive our prayers and bring them to your Son and our God, that through you, He may save our souls.

All you heavenly powers, holy angels and archangels, pray to God for us sinners.

Holy, glorious, and all-praiseworthy apostles, prophets, martyrs and all you saints: pray to God for us sinners.

†The Father is our hope, the Son our refuge, the Holy Spirit our protection: O Holy Trinity, glory be to You!

†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Through the prayers of the Mother of God and and all the Saints, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Sign of the Cross
†In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. (3)

THE MYSTERIES

On each main bead: announce the designated Mystery; read the scriptural passage or mediation; take some time to reflect in silence; then recite the Lord’s Prayer. Moving on to the ten smaller beads, recite the Angelic Salutation on each bead, while continuing to reflect upon the Mystery proclaimed and how it can be applied to your daily life.

MONDAYS The Mysteries of Hope

TUESDAYS The Mysteries of Joy

WEDNESDAYS The Mysteries of Sorrow

THURSDAYS The Mysteries of Light

FRIDAYS The Mysteries of Sorrow

SATURDAYS The Mysteries of Glory

SUNDAYS The Mysteries of Glory

Eparchy of Edmonton

Ukrainian Catholic Church

2016

Вервиця // Rosary

Mysteries of Hope (Mondays)

Mysteries of Joy (Tuesdays)

Mysteries of Light (Thursdays)

Mysteries of Sorrow (Wednesdays and Fridays)

Mysteries of Glory (Saturdays and Sundays)

BEGINNING PRAYERS

SECOND MYSTERY OF HOPEMondayThe Conception of Mary by Saint Anna

THIRD MYSTERY OF HOPEMondayThe Nativity of Mary

FOURTH MYSTERY OF HOPEMonday

FIFTH MYSTERY OF HOPEMondayThe Betrothal to Joseph

SECOND JOYFUL MYSTERYTuesdayThe Visitation

THIRD JOYFUL MYSTERYTuesdayThe nativity of Jesus

FOURTH JOYFUL MYSTERYTuesdayThe Encounter in the Temple

FIFTH JOYFUL MYSTERYTuesdayThe Finding of Jesus in the Temple

FIRST LUMINOUS MYSTERYThursdayThe Theophany

SECOND LUMINOUS MYSTERYThursdayThe Wedding at Cana

THIRD LUMINOUS MYSTERYThursdayThe Proclamation of the Kingdom

FOURTH LUMINOUS MYSTERYThursdayThe Transfiguration

FIFTH LUMINOUS MYSTERYThursdayThe Mystical Supper

FIRST SORROWFUL MYSTERYWednesday and FridayThe Agony in the Garden

SECOND SORROWFUL MYSTERYWednesday and FridayThe Scourging

THIRD SORROWFUL MYSTERYWednesday and FridayThe Crowning with Thorns

FOURTH SORROWFUL MYSTERYWednesday and FridayJesus Carries the Cross

FIFTH SORROWFUL MYSTERYWednesday and FridayThe Crucifixion

CONCLUDING PRAYERS

Copyright © 2025 St George Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

SECOND MYSTERY OF HOPE
Monday
The Conception of Mary by Saint Anna

THIRD MYSTERY OF HOPE
Monday
The Nativity of Mary

FOURTH MYSTERY OF HOPE
Monday

FIFTH MYSTERY OF HOPE
Monday
The Betrothal to Joseph

SECOND JOYFUL MYSTERY
Tuesday
The Visitation

THIRD JOYFUL MYSTERY
Tuesday
The nativity of Jesus

FOURTH JOYFUL MYSTERY
Tuesday
The Encounter in the Temple

FIFTH JOYFUL MYSTERY
Tuesday
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

FIRST LUMINOUS MYSTERY
Thursday
The Theophany

SECOND LUMINOUS MYSTERY
Thursday
The Wedding at Cana

THIRD LUMINOUS MYSTERY
Thursday
The Proclamation of the Kingdom

FOURTH LUMINOUS MYSTERY
Thursday
The Transfiguration

FIFTH LUMINOUS MYSTERY
Thursday
The Mystical Supper

FIRST SORROWFUL MYSTERY
Wednesday and Friday
The Agony in the Garden

SECOND SORROWFUL MYSTERY
Wednesday and Friday
The Scourging

THIRD SORROWFUL MYSTERY
Wednesday and Friday
The Crowning with Thorns

FOURTH SORROWFUL MYSTERY
Wednesday and Friday
Jesus Carries the Cross

FIFTH SORROWFUL MYSTERY
Wednesday and Friday
The Crucifixion