What is the Rosary?

The Rosary is a summary of the main events in the life of Jesus and Mary. You pray the Rosary to reflect on the 15 mysteries represented by the 15 decades of the Rosary.

The Rosary is a meditation to help us come closer to Jesus and Mary. By meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, we can better understand the lives of Jesus and Mary.

The Popes have suggested the Rosary for about 400 years as the best remedy for the evils afflicting society. By meditating on the Sacred Mysteries we are brought to a greater understanding of Christ's life.

What are the mysteries of the Rosary?
The Rosary generally contains three sets of five mysteries. Usually, each set of mysteries is prayed on a different day.

The Joyful Mysteries

1. Annunciation - The Angel Gabriel brings God's message to Mary
2. Visitation - Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth
3. Nativity - Jesus is born in Bethlehem
4. Presentation - Jesus is presented in the temple
5. Finding in the Temple - Jesus is found in the temple

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1. Agony in the Garden - Jesus sweats blood.
2. Scourging at the Pillar
3. Crowning with Thorns
4. Carrying of the Cross
5. Crucifixion - Jesus dies on the cross.

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection - Jesus rises from the dead.
2. The Ascension - Jesus ascends into Heaven.
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.
4. The Assumption - The Virgin Mary is taken up to Heaven.
5. The Coronation - Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth.

When is each mystery prayed?

• The Joyful Mysteries are said on Mondays and Thursdays and the Sundays from the First Sunday of Advent until Lent.
• The Sorrowful Mysteries are said on Tuesdays and Fridays and the Sundays of Lent
• The Glorious Mysteries are said on Wednesdays and Saturdays and the Sundays from Easter until Advent.

Having the mysteries broken up over different days we are able to give fair time to each set of mysteries. During special times of the year we say a different set of mysteries on Sundays. From Easter to Advent we say the Glorious Mysteries which focus on the Glorious parts of Christ's life. During Lent we say the Sorrowful Mysteries which are all mysteries for Lent.

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