The Joyful Mysteries
The five joyful mysteries are all taken from the gospel of St. Luke, and they make the only set of five in which Mary is an active participant in each decade. In the joyful mysteries elevate our feelings and affections; we see: joy in the family, in maternity, in kinship, in friendship, in mutual aid.
- The Annunciation of the angel Gabriel to Mary
- The Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth
- The Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ
- The Presentation of Jesus in the temple by Mary and Joseph
- The Finding of Jesus in the temple
The Luminous Mysteries
These are the five mysteries added by Pope John Paul II, bringing the public ministry into the gospel episodes contemplated in the rosary. The public ministry covers the longest part of each gospel. The mysteries show Jesus teaching whether by word, or by symbol.
- Our Lord's Baptism in the Jordan
- His self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana
- His Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His Call to Conversion
- His Transfiguration
- His Institution of the Eucharist, as the Sacramental Expression of the Paschal Mystery
The Sorrowful Mysteries
Passion narratives are the oldest parts of the gospels. This is the defining sequence of the Christian proclamation. The contemplation of these mysteries is both hard and easy - hard in the sense that they are painful to think of, but easy in that most Christians have many images of the events, derived from Lenten excercises, sermons and even movies.
- The Agony of Our Lord in the garden
- The Scourging of our Lord at the pillar
- The Crowning of Jesus with thorns
- Jesus carries His cross
- The Crucifixion and death of Jesus
The Glorious Mysteries
The glorious mysteries look at the Risen Christ in glory, after his leaving earth to sit at the right hand of the Father. The Resurrection is the central and ongoing essence of Christianity. Then the mysteries look at the birth of the Church at Pentencost.
- The Resurrection of Our Lord from the dead
- The Ascension of Our Lord into heaven
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles
- The Assumption of Mary, body and soul into heaven
- The Coronation of Mary as Queen of heaven and earth