Prayed on Monday and Saturday

From the angel’s greeting to the finding in the Temple.

The Joyful Mysteries are the mysteries of Christ’s coming: an angel’s visit, a pregnant woman walking into the hills, a birth in a stable, an old man’s prophecy, and a mother’s three days of searching. They are joyful, but the joy has a shadow across it from the beginning.

The Five Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation

The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of God, and she answers, "Let it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:26-38). Fruit of the mystery: humility.

2. The Visitation

Mary travels into the hill country to serve her cousin Elizabeth, who greets her as the mother of her Lord (Luke 1:39-56). Fruit of the mystery: love of neighbour.

3. The Nativity

Jesus is born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:1-20). Fruit of the mystery: poverty of spirit.

4. The Presentation in the Temple

Mary and Joseph present the child in the Temple, where Simeon takes Him in his arms and foretells the sword that will pierce her own soul (Luke 2:22-38). Fruit of the mystery: obedience.

5. The Finding in the Temple

After three days of searching, His parents find the boy Jesus among the teachers, and He asks, "Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?" (Luke 2:41-52). Fruit of the mystery: joy in finding Jesus.

About These Mysteries

Pray one decade for each mystery: announce it, pray an Our Father, ten Hail Marys while holding the scene in mind, a Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer. Reading the Gospel passage before each decade turns the Rosary from repetition into meditation.