After many years of praying the Rosary daily, led by the Holy Spirit, my spiritual journey has taken an unmistakably clear path! Not an easy, smooth path but a well lit, well defined, eternal path. Praying the Rosary has drawn me closer to Christ and has given me a much deeper understanding of the grace, mercy and love He has for all of us.
The Rosary Prayer has been a powerful influence in the Catholic Church for centuries, traditionally since 1214 when the Blessed mother appeared to St Dominic, a priest who founded the Dominican Order, and taught him how to pray the Rosary and for what purpose. Every mystery (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, Glorious) when prayed and meditated on points your focus to Jesus Christ, His birth, life, death and resurrection and what it means to us!
Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation. Announcement to Mary of her being chosen by God to be the mother of His Son by the Angel Gabriel. "Hail favored one. The Lord is with you." (Luke 1:28)
The Visitation. Mary visits her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, to tell her the good news of her assignment from God, and to aid and comfort her. "And the baby leapt in its mother's womb." (Luke 1:41)
The Nativity. The Birth of Christ. "And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." (John 1:14)
The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. The old man Simeon's glee. "Now Master, you may let Your servant go in peace according to Your Word." (Luke 2:29)
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple. Jesus was teaching at an early age. "All who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers." (Luke 2:47)
Pope John Paul II, in his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae (October 2002), recommended an additional set called the Luminous Mysteries (or the "Mysteries of Light").
Luminous Mysteries
The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. "And a Voice came from the heavens saying, 'This my beloved Son with Whom I am well pleased.'" (Matthew 3:17)
The Wedding at Cana. The first earthly miracle from Jesus, turning water into wine. "His mother said to the servers, 'Do whatever He tells you.'" (John 2:5)
Jesus' Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Beginning of Christ's ministry with His first major public sermon - "Sermon on the Mount - The Beatitudes." (Matthew 5:1-12)
The Transfiguration. A preview of His glory given to Peter, James and John along with Moses and Elijah. "A voice from Heaven said, 'This is My beloved Son with Whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.'" (Matthew 17:5)
The Institution of the Eucharist. The Last Supper - centerpiece of the Mass. "The source, center and summit of the Christian life." "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life and I will raise him on the last day." (John 6:53-54)
Sorrowful Mysteries
The Agony in the Garden. Jesus asks Peter, James and John to be with Him during these difficult times. "He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (John and James) and began to feel sorrow and distress." (Matthew 26:37) They could not stay awake with Him for even one hour! "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41)
The Scourging at the Pillar. A devastating, bloody beating Christ willingly took for us! "By His stripes we were healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
The Crowning with Thorns. Christ continues His suffering and humiliation at the hands of His oppressors. "Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'" (Matthew 27:29)
The Carrying of the Cross. The long tortuous walk to Calvary. "Whoever wishes to come after Me, must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24)
The Crucifixion and Death of our Lord. The final, ultimate sacrifice for the sake of mankind - breathtaking thought! "Jesus cried out again in a loud voice and gave up His spirit." (Matthew 27:50)
Glorious Mysteries
The Resurrection. Jesus exploded out of the grave! Hallelujah! "And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from Heaven, approached, rolled back the stone and sat upon it." (Matthew 26:2)
The Ascension. After 40 days of appearing to hundreds of people, including the Disciples Jesus went to be with His Father. "So then the Lord Jesus, after He spoke to them, was taken up into Heaven and took His seat at the right hand of God." (Mark 16:19)
The Descent of the Holy Spirit. We thank God every day for His Holy Spirit to protect and guide us. "But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate (Holy Spirit) will not come to you. But if I go I will send Him to you." (John 16:7)
The Assumption of Mary. Tradition in the Catholic Church teaches that the Blessed Mother was assumed bodily into Heaven immediately after her physical death on earth. It was Jesus' mother and He is God, so it is very easy to believe!
The Coronation of the Virgin. Queen of Heaven! A most pleasant thought!
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