A Scriptural Rosary

for the Family

BUILDING THE DOMESTIC CHURCH SERIES

 Building the
Domestic Church
While Strengthening Our Parish

“The family as domestic church is central to the work of the new

evangelization and to the future sustainability of our parishes.”
– Past Supreme Knight Carl Anderson
 The Knights of Columbus presents
The Building the Domestic Church Series

A Scriptural Rosary
for the Family
The Joyful, Luminous,
Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries

Compiled by
Father Bernard Mulcahy, O.P.

General Editor
Father Juan-Diego Brunetta, O.P.
Catholic Information Service
Knights of Columbus Supreme Council
Copyright © 2007-2023 by Knights of Columbus Supreme Council.
All rights reserved.

Scriptural quotations are taken from The New Oxford Annotated Bible With the
Apocrypha (Expanded Edition), Revised Standard Version copyright © 1973,
1977, Oxford University Press.

Citations marked with an asterisk (*) have been adapted according to liturgical or
other alternative readings.

Cover: Veronese and Workshop, The Annunciation, c. 1583/1584, National Gallery

of Art, Washington, D.C.

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 CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ROSARY PRAYERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
 Introduction
The Rosary is a school, that is, a method of prayer for all times
and seasons. For many centuries, Catholics have turned to the
Rosary to learn the Gospel, to contemplate the face of Christ in
their ordinary lives, but also during times of conflict and danger.
As Pope Benedict XVI said in his address to the priests, deacons
and seminarians of Brazil, in the Rosary we find “…the divine
Comforter seeks to initiate us in the knowledge of Christ that
issues forth from the clear source of the Gospel text. For her part,
the Church of the third millennium proposes to offer Christians the
capacity for ‘knowledge—according to the words of Saint Paul—of
God’s mystery, of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of
wisdom and knowledge’ (Colossians 2:2-3). Mary, Most Holy, the
pure and immaculate Virgin, is for us a school of faith destined to
guide us and give us strength on the path that leads us to the
Creator of Heaven and Earth.” How important, then, it is to be in
the School of Mary!
In his Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae (2002), Pope
John Paul II exhorted us to pray the Rosary for peace and for the
family. His words are significant for us to reflect upon here:
A number of historical circumstances also make a
revival of the Rosary quite timely. First of all, the need
to implore from God the gift of peace. The Rosary has
many times been proposed by my predecessors and
myself as a prayer for peace. At the start of a
millennium which began with the terrifying attacks of
11 September 2001, a millennium which witnesses
every day innumerous parts of the world fresh scenes
of bloodshed and violence, to rediscover the Rosary
means to immerse oneself in contemplation of the

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 mystery of Christ who “is our peace”, since he made
“the two of us one, and broke down the dividing wall
of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14). Consequently, one cannot
recite the Rosary without feeling caught up in a clear
commitment to advancing peace, especially in the land
of Jesus, still so sorely afflicted and so close to the
heart of every Christian.
A similar need for commitment and prayer arises in
relation to another critical contemporary issue: the
family, the primary cell of society, increasingly
menaced by forces of disintegration on both the
ideological and practical planes, so as to make us fear
for the future of this fundamental and indispensable
institution and, with it, for the future of society as a
whole. The revival of the Rosary in Christian families,
within the context of a broader pastoral ministry to the
family, will be an effective aid to countering the
devastating effects of this crisis typical of our age (6).
A custom for those praying the Rosary is to meditate on each
of the Mysteries in silence, either before or while they recite the
prayers of each decade. The following pages contain collections
of verses from the sacred Scriptures, with ten verses given for
each decade of the Rosary. It is suggested that these verses be
recited aloud, one before each “Hail Mary.” The verses given for
each decade correspond to the Mystery being recalled, and
stress the fidelity and strength of Christ, the Prince of Peace.

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 How to pray the Rosary

THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES (Monday and Saturday)

THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES (Thursday)
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES (Tuesday and Friday)
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES (Wednesday and Sunday)

INTRODUCTORY PRAYERS:
1. The Apostles’ Creed
2. Our Father
3. Three Hail Marys, followed by a Glory be

ROSARY PROPER:
4. Recall the First Mystery and pray the Our Father
5. Pray ten Hail Marys
6. The decade is concluded by praying the Glory be. In some
places the Fatima Prayer is said. It reads: 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.
7. Announce the Second Mystery and repeat steps 4-6 above
until all five decades are prayed.

AFTER THE ROSARY:

8. Pray the Hail, Holy Queen

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 Rosary Prayers
SIGN OF THE CROSS
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. 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.
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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.

DOXOLOGY
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world
without end. Amen.

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.
V. Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
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 on 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.

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 The Five Joyful Mysteries
THE FIRST JOYFUL MYSTERY
THE ANNUNCIATION
1. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those
who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
(Is 9:2)

2. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a virgin
shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.
(Is 7:14)

3. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace

will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring from the earth, and
righteousness look down from heaven.
(Ps 85:10-11*)

4. There is a river whose streams gladden the City of God, the holy
habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, and she shall
not be moved; God will help her right early.
(Ps 46:4-5)

5. I will be as the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily, he shall
strike root as the poplar, his shoots shall spread out; his beauty
shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon.
(Hos 14:5-6)

6. In the sixth month, 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 was Mary.
(Lk 1:26-27)

7. And he came to her and said, “Hail, 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.
(Lk 1:28-29)
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8. And the angel said to her, “Do not fear, Mary, for you have found
favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and
bear a Son, and you shall call his name Jesus.”
(Lk 1:30-31)

9. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most
High will overshadow you; therefore the Child to be born will be
called holy, the Son of God.”
(Lk 1:35)

10. And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be
done to me according to your word.”
(Lk 1:38)

THE SECOND JOYFUL MYSTERY

THE VISITATION
1. In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country,
to a city of Judah; and she entered the house of Zechariah and
greeted Elizabeth.
(Lk 1:39)

2. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped
in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
(Lk 1:41)

3. Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains,
into singing! For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have
compassion on His afflicted.
(Is 49:13)

4. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come and I will dwell
in the midst of you, says the Lord.
(Zec 2:10)

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5. A voice cries, “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
(Is 40:3)

6. They shall come and sing aloud on the heights of Zion, and they
shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord…. I will comfort
them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
(Jer 31:13)

7. My deliverance draws near speedily, my salvation has gone forth,

and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and
for my arm they hope.
(Is 51:5)

8. Hark, your watchmen lift up their voice, together they sing for joy;
for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion.
(Is 52:8)

9. Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem;

for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed
Jerusalem.
(Is 52:9)

10. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
(Is 52:10)

THE THIRD JOYFUL MYSTERY

THE NATIVITY
1. A Child is born to us, and a Son is given to us, and the government
is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,
Counselor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the
Prince of Peace.
(Is 9:6)

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2. For while all things were in quiet silence, and the night was in the
midst of her course, thy almighty Word leapt down from heaven
from thy royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed.
(Wis 18:14-15)

3. Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before her pain came upon
her, she was delivered of a Son.
(Is 66:7)

4. Comfort, comfort my people says your God. Speak tenderly to

Jerusalem, and cry to her, that her warfare is ended, that her
iniquity is pardoned.
(Is 40:1-2)

5. Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations,

I am exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of
Jacob is our stronghold.
(Ps 46:10-11)

6. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven
from God...; and I heard a great voice from the throne saying,
“Behold, the dwelling of God is with men.”
(Rv 21:2-3)

7. Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for
David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal
wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
(Jer 23:5)

8. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.
And she gave birth to her first-born Son and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no
place for them in the inn.
(Lk 2:6-7)

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9. And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared
to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were filled with fear.
(Lk 2:8-9)

10. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring
you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people.
For to you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is
Christ the Lord.”
(Lk 2:10-11)

THE FOURTH JOYFUL MYSTERY

THE PRESENTATION
1. And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of
Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
(Lk 2:22)

2. “Behold, now I bring the first fruit of the ground, which Thou, O Lord,
hast given me.”
(Dt 26:10)

3. The desired of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with
glory, says the Lord of Hosts.
(Hg 2:8)

4. Thou wilt bring them in, and plant them on thy own mountain; the
place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thy abode; the sanctuary,
O Lord, which thy hands have established.
(Ex 15:17)

5. “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the
tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give
you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the
end of the earth.”
(Is 49:6)
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6. Let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the
House of the Lord.
(Ezra 1:3)

7. Arise, O Lord, and go to thy resting place, thou and the Ark of thy
might. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and let thy
saints shout for joy.
(Ps 131:8-0)

8. Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that
the King of Glory may come in!
(Ps 24:7)

9. And behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son
of Man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented
before him.
(Dan 7:13)

10. So he came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his
garments, and blessed him and said, “See, the smell of my son is
as the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed!”
(Gn 27:27)

THE FIFTH JOYFUL MYSTERY

THE FINDING OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
1. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to
custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not
know it.
(Lk 2:42-43)

2. After three days they found him in the Temple, sitting among the
teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
(Lk 2:46)
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3. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his Mother
said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father
and I have been looking for you anxiously.”
(Lk 2:48)

4. And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you
not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not
understand the saying which he spoke to them.
(Lk 2:49-50)

5. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that I will seek after: that I may
dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the
beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his Temple.
(Ps 27:4)

6. And the Temple, which a little while before was full of fear and
disturbance, was filled with joy and gladness, now that the Almighty
Lord had appeared.
(2 Mc 3:30)

7. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the
everlasting arms.
(Dt 33:27)

8. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God!
…Within her citadels God has shown himself a sure defense.
(Ps 48:1, 3)

9. On the holy mountain stands the city he founded; the Lord loves
the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
(Ps 87:1-2)

10. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the
glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.
(Rv 21:23)

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 The Five Luminous Mysteries
THE FIRST LUMINOUS MYSTERY
THE BAPTISM IN THE JORDAN
1. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is to
pass over before you into the Jordan.
(Jos 3:11)

2. When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water,

and behold, the heavens were opened, and [John] saw the Spirit
of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
(Mt 3:16)

3. On that day, all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the
windows of the heavens were opened.
(Gn 7:11)

4. And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with
whom I am well pleased.”
(Mt 3:17)

5. “And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
(Jn 1:34)

6. On that day, the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and
they stood in awe of him, as they had stood in awe of Moses.
(Jos 4:14)

7. May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the
ends of the earth.
(Ps 72:8)

8. I will remember my covenant which is between me and you and all

flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy
all flesh.
(Gn 9:15)

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9. Stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people
of Israel may go on dry ground through the sea.
(Ex 14:16)

10. Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord which he
will work for you today; for the Egyptians, whom you see today,
you shall never see again.
(Ex 14:13)

THE SECOND LUMINOUS MYSTERY

THE MANIFESTATION AT THE WEDDING OF CANA
1. “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one.” This is a great mystery, and it
refers to Christ and the Church.
(Eph 5:31-32*)

2. When the wine failed, the Mother of Jesus said to him, “They have
no wine.”
(Jn 2:3)

3. Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, “Every jar shall be filled with
wine.”
(Jer 13:12)

4. And the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king.
(Est 1:7)

5. The steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him,
“Every man serves the good wine first…; but you have kept the
good wine until now.”
(Jn 2:9-10)

6. This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and
manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
(Jn 2:11)

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7. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to
my taste. He brought me in to the wine cellar, and his banner over
me was love.
(Song 2:3-4)

8. The Lord of Hosts will make for all peoples a feast of fat things, a
feast of wine on the lees, well refined.
(Is 25:6)

9. The Lord answered and said to his people, “Behold, I am sending

you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied.”
(Jl 2:18)

10. For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its fruit,
and the ground shall give its increase, and the heavens shall give
their dew.
(Zec 8:12)

THE THIRD LUMINOUS MYSTERY

THE PREACHING OF THE KINGDOM AND OF CONVERSION
1. The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to
the simple.
(Ps 119:130)

2. Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may behold wonderful things out of

Thy law.
(Ps 119:18*)

3. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings
good tidings, who publishes peace, who says to Zion, “Your God
reigns.”
(Is 52:7)

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4. Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins
are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are
red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
(Is 1:18)

5. Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country and your
kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”
(Gen 12:1)

6. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, “Blessed are
the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
(Mt 5:2-3)

7. Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God and saying,
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent,
and believe in the gospel.”
(Mk 1:14)

8. Zeal for thy house has consumed me.

(Ps 69:9)

9. The Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the poor.

(Is 61:1)

10. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to

the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.
(Is 61:2)

THE FOURTH LUMINOUS MYSTERY

THE TRANSFIGURATION
1. And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of
Israel, they looked towards the wilderness and behold, the glory
of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
(Ex 16:10)

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2. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the
Lord filled the tabernacle.
(Ex 40:34)

3. Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up
a high mountain apart by themselves.
(Mk 9:2)

4. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the
sun, and his garments became white as light.
(Mt 17:2)

5. Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, “We have found him of
whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of
Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
(Jn 1:45)

6. And behold two men spoke with him, Moses and Elijah, who
appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus, which he was about
to accomplish in Jerusalem.
(Lk 9:30-31*)

7. He was still speaking when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them,

and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with
whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
(Mt 17:5)

8. When the disciples heard this they fell on their faces, and were
filled with awe.
(Mt 17:6)

9. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”
(Mt 17:7)

10. Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, thou art very great!
Thou art clothed with honor and majesty, who coverest thyself
with light as with a garment.
(Ps 104:1-2)

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 THE FIFTH LUMINOUS MYSTERY
THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST
1. When your children say to you, “What do you mean by this
service?” you shall say, “It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover.”
(Ex 12:26-27)

2. For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great
among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my
name, and a pure offering.
(Mal 1:11)

3. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the People of
Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.
(Ex 24:11)

4. And he rained down upon them manna to eat, and gave them the
grain of heaven. Man ate of the bread of angels.
(Ps 78:24-25)

5. When it was evening, he sat at table with the twelve disciples.

(Mt 26:20)

6. And he said, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with

you before I suffer.”
(Lk 22:15)

7. And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and
gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
(Lk 22:19)

8. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to

them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; for this is my Blood of the new
covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
(Mt 26:27-28*)

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9. “For my Flesh is food indeed, and my Blood is drink indeed. He
who eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood abides in me, and I in him.”
(Jn 6:55-56)

10. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and

fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
(Acts 2:42)

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries

THE FIRST SORROWFUL MYSTERY
THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN
1. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death;
remain here, and watch with me.”
(Mt 26:38)

2. My son, if you come forward to serve the Lord, prepare yourself

for temptation.
(Sir 2:1)

3. My heart is in anguish within me, the terrors of death have fallen

upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror
overwhelms me.
(Ps 55:4-5)

4. My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain! Oh, the walls of my heart!

My heart is beating wildly; I cannot keep silent; for I hear the
sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
(Jer 4:19)

5. Give heed to me, O Lord, and hearken to my plea. Is evil a

recompense for good? Yet they have dug a pit for my life.
Remember how I stood before thee to speak good for them, to
turn away thy wrath from them.
(Jer 18:19)

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6. I hear many whispering. Terror on every side! “Denounce him! Let
us denounce him!” say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall.
(Jer 20:10)

7. He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cower in ashes;

my soul is bereft of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is.
(Lam 3:16-17)

8. My heart is broken within me, all my bones shake.... The anger of

the Lord will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished
the intents of his mind.
(Jer 23:9, 20)

9. Then I said, “Lo, I come; in the roll of the book it is written of me;
I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy Law is within my heart.”
(Ps 40:7-8)

10. Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as
in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than
sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
(1 Sm 15:22)

THE SECOND SORROWFUL MYSTERY

THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR
1. They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barrabbas!” Now
Barrabbas was a robber. Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him.
(Jn 18:40, 19:1)

2. Let us test him with insult and torture, that we may find out how
gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance.
(Wis 2:19)

3. He became to us a reproof of our thoughts; and the very sight of

him is a burden to us, because his manner of life is unlike that
of others, and his ways are strange.
(Wis 2:14-15)

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4. Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is
any sorrow like my sorrow which was brought upon me, sorrow
which the Lord inflicted on the day of his fierce anger?
(Lam 1:12)

5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for

our iniquities: upon him was the chastisement that made us
whole, and with his stripes we were healed.
(Is 53:5)

6. The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.
(Ps 129:3)

7. I am a man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; he
has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; surely
against me he turns his hand again and again all the day long.
(Lam 3:1-3)

8. Accept whatever is brought upon you, and in changes that

humble you be patient.
(Sir 2:5)

9. But I am a worm, and no man; scorned by men, and despised by

the people.
(Ps 22:6)

10. Nevertheless in thy great mercies thou didst not make an end of
them or forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
(Neh 9:31)

THE THIRD SORROWFUL MYSTERY

THE CROWNING WITH THORNS
1. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and plaiting
a crown of thorns, they put it on his head, and put a reed in his
right hand.
(Mt 27:28-29a)

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2. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of
the Jews!”
(Mt 27:29b)

3. And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on the
head.
(Mt 27:30)

4. For gold is tested in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of
humiliation.
(Sir 2:5)

5. The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself, so that
you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.
(Sir 3:19)

6. Do not boast about wearing fine clothes, nor exalt yourself on the
day that you are honored; for the works of the Lord are wonderful,
and his works are concealed from men.
(Sir 11:4)

7. Many were astonished at him, his appearance was so marred

beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons
of men.
(Is 52:14)

8. He had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, and no

beauty that we should desire him.
(Is 53:2)

9. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and

acquainted with grief.
(Is 53:3a)

10. And, as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised,
and we esteemed him not.
(Is 53:3b)

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 THE FOURTH SORROWFUL MYSTERY
THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS
1. And Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering, and laid it
upon his son.
(Gn 22:6)

2. With a yoke on our necks we are hard driven; we are weary, we

are given no rest. Young men are compelled to grind at the mill;
and boys stagger under loads of wood.
(Lam 5:5, 13)

3. He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his

mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep
that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
(Is 53:7)

4. Surely he has borne our grief and carried our sorrows.

(Is 53:4)

5. The precious sons of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold, how
they are reckoned as earthen pots, the work of a potter’s hands.
(Lam 4:2)

6. Her princes were purer than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies
were more ruddy than coral, the beauty of their form was like
sapphire. Now their visage is blacker than soot, they are not
recognized in the streets.
(Lam 4:7, 8)

7. He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has put heavy

chains on me; though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my
prayer; he has blocked my way with fitted stones.”
(Lam 3:7-9)

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8. They wander, blind, through the streets, so defiled with blood that
none could touch their garments. “Away! Unclean!” men cried at
them; “Away! Away! Touch not!”
(Lam 4:14, 15)

9. Sorely have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not
prevailed against me.
(Ps 129:2)

10. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross to the
place called the place of the skull, which is called in Hebrew
Golgotha.
(Jn 19:17)

THE FIFTH SORROWFUL MYSTERY

THE CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF THE LORD
1. And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there
they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on
the left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not
what they do.”
(Lk 23:32-33)

2. The enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary. Thy foes

have roared in the midst of thy holy place.
(Ps 74:3-4)

3. When Jesus saw his Mother, and the disciple whom he loved
standing near, he said, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said
to the disciple, “Behold, your Mother!” And from that hour the
disciple took her into his home.
(Jn 19:26-27)

4. He poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the
transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession
for the transgressors.
(Is 53:12)

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5. Since the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise
partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy
him who has the power of death.
(Heb 2:14)

6. Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a holocaust,
my son.”
(Gn 22:8)

7. And between the throne and the four living creatures and among
the elders, I saw a Lamb, standing as though it had been slain.
(Rv 5:6)

8. Then I looked, and lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb.

(Rv 14:1)

9. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance, and
immediately there flowed out blood and water.
(Jn 19:34)

10. Then he showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal,
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
(Rv 22:1)

The Five Glorious Mysteries

THE FIRST GLORIOUS MYSTERY
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST FROM THE DEAD
1. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate
him flee before him!
(Ps 68:1)

2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

(Mt 5:4)

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3. Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world
will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
(Jn 16:20)

4. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts
will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
(Jn 16:22)

5. Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was
crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see
the place where he lay.
(Mt 28:5-6)

6. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give
you the Kingdom.
(Lk 12:32)

7. I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said this to you,
that in me you may have peace.
(Jn 16:32-33a)

8. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have

overcome the world.
(Jn 16:33b)

9. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with
you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his
side. Then the disciples were glad.
(Jn 20:19-20)

10. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant;
later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who
have been trained in it.
(Heb 12:11)

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 THE SECOND GLORIOUS MYSTERY
THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST INTO HEAVEN
1. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. And lo,
I am with you always, until the end of time.
(Mt 28:18, 20)

2. Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in

me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
(Jn 14:1-2)

3. Here we have no lasting city, but we seek a city that is to come.

(Heb 13:14)

4. Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the
heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.
(Heb 4:14)

5. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with

our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted
as we are, yet without sin.
(Heb 4:15)

6. Let us then with confidence approach the throne of grace, that we

may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Heb 4:16)

7. For Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a
copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the
presence of God on our behalf.
(Heb 9:24)

8. [Therefore] I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and

thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in
high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly
and respectful in every way.
(1 Tim 2:1-2)

- 27 -
9. But to what angel has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand, till I make
thy enemies a stool for thy feet.”
(Heb 1:13)

10. Behold King Solomon, wearing the crown with which his mother
crowned him, on the day of his wedding, the day of the gladness
of his heart.
(Song 3:11)

THE THIRD GLORIOUS MYSTERY

THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. And I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another
Paraclete, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom
the world cannot receive.
(Jn 14:16-17)

2. All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together

with the women and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and his brethren.
(Acts 1:14)

3. By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, Jews or Greeks,
slaves or free, and all were made to drink of the one Spirit.
(1 Cor 12:13)

4. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To
that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for
all the holy ones.
(Eph 6:18)

5. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
(Gal 5:22-23)

6. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and
of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of fortitude, a spirit of

- 28 -
 knowledge and of piety, and he shall be filled with the spirit of the
fear of the Lord.
(Is 11:1-3*)

7. Wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle,

open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits.
(Jas 3:17)

8. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you have received the Spirit of sonship. When we cry, Abba!
Father!, it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that
we are children of God.
(Rom 8:15-16)

9. We know that the whole creation groans and is in travail, even

until now. And not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the
first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as
sons, the redemption of our bodies.
(Rom 8:22-23)

10. The Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how
to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with
sighs too deep for words.
(Rom 8:26)

THE FOURTH GLORIOUS MYSTERY

THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY INTO HEAVEN
1. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my
Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
(Lk 1:46-48)

2. He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his
name. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has
lifted up the lowly.
(Lk 1:48, 51)

- 29 -
3. My beloved speaks and says to me, “Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away; for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.”
(Song 2:10-11)

4. What is that coming up from the wilderness, like a column of smoke,

perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the fragrant
powders of the merchant? Behold, it is the litter of Solomon.
(Song 3:6-7)

5 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his
covenant was seen within his temple.
(Rv 11:19)

6. And when they met her they all blessed her with one accord and
said to her, “You are the exaltation of Jerusalem, you are the great
glory of Israel, you are the great pride of our nation!… May the
Almighty Lord bless you forever!”
(Jdt 15:9-10)

7. In the assembly of the Most High she opened her mouth, and in
the presence of his host she will glory.
(Sir 24:2)

8. O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, on the covert of the cliff, let
me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet
and your face is comely.
(Song 2:14)

9. Hear, O daughter, consider, and incline your ear; forget your

people and your father’s house; and the King will desire your
beauty. Since he is your Lord, bow to him.
(Ps 45:10)

10. The daughter of the King is clothed with splendor, her robes
embroidered with pearls set in gold.... With joy and gladness she
is led into the palace of the King.
(Ps 45:13-15)

- 30 -
 THE FIFTH GLORIOUS MYSTERY
THE CORONATION OF MARY AS QUEEN
OF HEAVEN & EARTH
1. Who is that coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her
Beloved?
(Song 8:5)

2. Do not fear, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold,
you will conceive and bear a Son, and you shall call his name
Jesus,... and of his kingdom there will be no end.
(Lk 1:30-33)

3. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud
voice, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of
your womb! But who am I, that the mother of my Lord should come
to me?”
(Lk 1:41-42)

4. His Mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

(Jn 2:5)

5. O daughter, you are blessed by the Most High God above all
women on earth.... Your hope will never depart from the hearts of
men, as they remember the power of God.
(Jdt 13:18-19)

6. And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with

the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown
of twelve stars.
(Rev 12:1)

7. My dove, my perfect one, is only one, the darling of her mother,

flawless to her that bore her. The maidens saw her and called her
blessed; the queens and concubines also, and praised her.
(Song 6:9)

- 31 -
8. Who is this that comes forth like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright
as the sun, terrible as an army with banners?
(Song 6:10)

9. An enclosed garden is my sister, my bride; a garden locked, a

fountain sealed.
(Song 4:12)

10. Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates with all choicest

fruit, henna with nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon,
with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, and all chief
spices: a garden fountain, a well of living water, and flowing
streams from Lebanon.
(Song 4:13-15)

- 32 -
“Faith seeks understanding”: it is intrinsic to faith that a
believer desires to know better the One in whom he has
put his faith, and to understand better what He has
revealed; a more penetrating knowledge will in turn call
forth a greater faith, increasingly set afire by love. The
grace of faith opens “the eyes of your hearts” to a lively
understanding of the contents of Revelation.
– Catechism of the Catholic Church, 158.

About Catholic Information Service

Since its founding, the Knights of Columbus has been
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and for individuals who request them. For over 75 years,
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CIS offers the following services to help you come to know

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 CATHOLIC INFORMATION SERVICE®
True Catholic Information. Not Mere Opinions.

The primary and essential object of catechesis is...“the mystery of Christ.”…

[Catechizing] is therefore to reveal in the Person of Christ the whole of
God’s eternal design reaching fulfillment in that Person. It is to seek to
understand the meaning of Christ’s actions and words and of the signs
worked by Him, for they simultaneously hide and reveal His mystery.
Accordingly, the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in
touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only He can lead
us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of
the Holy Trinity.
Pope St. John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae, 5
Apostolic Exhortation on Catechesis in our Time

About the Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus, a fraternal benefit society founded in 1882 in
New Haven, Connecticut, by Blessed Michael McGivney, is the world’s
premier lay Catholic organization, with more than 2 million members in
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Proclaiming the Faith

In the Third Millennium

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