Joyful Mysteries

How to pray it

Make the Sign of the Cross and, holding the crucifix, say the Apostles' Creed.
On the first bead, say an Our Father.
Say a Hail Mary on each of the next three beads, and then a Glory Be.
Announce the mystery and say an Our Father.
Say ten Hail Marys, one on each bead, while meditating on the mystery. At the end of the decade, say the Fatima Prayer and a Glory Be. Continue in the same way with the following decades.
After the five decades, say the Hail, Holy Queen and the prayer to end the Rosary.

First Mystery: The Annunciation

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. Luke 1:28-31

Picture a simple house in Nazareth. A young woman hears a greeting from heaven and is troubled, but she does not run away. She asks her question honestly and, in the end, places herself in God's hands. Mary does not understand everything, and still she trusts. Today God also knocks at your door with his plans. Ask for a humble heart like hers, able to say yes even when the path is not yet clear.

Fruit: Humility

Second Mystery: The Visitation

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Luke 1:39-42

Mary has just received the greatest news of her life, and the first thing she does is set out on the road. She hurries through the hill country to help her cousin Elizabeth, who is older and expecting a child. Her arrival fills that house with joy. Think of who needs your visit, your call or your help today. Bringing Jesus to others often begins with a simple gesture of kindness.

Fruit: Love of neighbor

Third Mystery: The Nativity

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7

Joseph and Mary arrive in Bethlehem tired and find no room. The Son of God is born in a stable, and his first cradle is a manger. There is no luxury and no noise, only love and silence. Contemplate the Child wrapped in swaddling clothes and let him teach you what truly matters. Ask yourself what takes up too much room in your life, and make a humble place for Jesus to be born in your heart today.

Fruit: Poverty of spirit

Fourth Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Luke 2:27-30

Mary and Joseph go up to the Temple to fulfill the law and offer their son to the Lord. There the aged Simeon is waiting for them; he had longed all his life for this moment. When he takes the Child in his arms, his long wait turns into praise. Learn from this family to place in God's hands what you love most. And learn from Simeon to wait patiently, because God keeps his promises.

Fruit: Obedience

Fifth Mystery: The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? Luke 2:46-49

For three days Mary and Joseph search anxiously for Jesus. At last they find him in the Temple, listening to the teachers and asking them questions. Their sorrow turns to relief, even though they do not fully understand his answer. Sometimes we too feel that we have lost Jesus. Do not lose heart: look for him in prayer, in his Word and in the community. Whoever seeks him with all their heart always ends up finding him.

Fruit: Always seeking Jesus

All the prayers

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father (touch your forehead), and of the Son (touch your chest), and of the Holy (touch your left shoulder) Ghost (touch your right shoulder). 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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

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.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou 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.

Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy.

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Prayer to End the Rosary

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

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 in 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.

Fixed prayers copied from public-domain Catholic texts: the pamphlet How to Say the Rosary (Philadelphia, 1937), Blessed Be God (1925) and Mary's Fatima Message (1955). Meditations are our own.