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EXTENDED ROSARY
Rev. John Colacino, C.PP.S.

Introduction

MONDAY Mysteries of Preparation
TUESDAY Mysteries of Jubilation
WEDNESDAY Mysteries of Manifestation
THURSDAY Mysteries of Transition
FRIDAY Mysteries of Passion
SATURDAY Mysteries of Glorification
SUNDAY Mysteries of Consummation
ANYDAY Hidden Mysteries


Introduction

To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 13:11)

I have said on occasion that I owe my conversion to the Rosary. While this might exaggerated, it was a Sister of Mercy who recommended to my brother in grade school “to pray the Rosary in any need, for it is unfailing” – advice which I followed when faced with an adolescent crisis. The daily recitation of the Rosary for a month seeking the answer to a prayer led to a spiritual awakening that has shaped my life ever since. In adulthood, however, I lapsed and have prayed it only sporadically.  Recently, however, I have rediscovered this prayer and resumed its frequent recitation.  I also undertook a project to expand the traditional mysteries to include others of great significance in the history of salvation. For as Pope St. John Paul II noted in an apostolic letter, “the cycles of meditation proposed by the Holy Rosary are by no means exhaustive” (Rosarium Virginis Mariae; October 16, 2002; no. 24).  

This led the pontiff himself to add the “mysteries of light” to the traditional roster of mysteries. But even with this innovation, it seems to me the Rosary could be enriched still further by including other mysteries and by “expanding” others here and there for further reflection. Indeed, as the pope pointed out, “every individual event in the life of Christ, as narrated by the Evangelists, is resplendent with the Mystery that surpasses all understanding (cf. Eph 3:19): the Mystery of the Word made flesh, in whom ‘all the fullness of God dwells bodily’ (Col 2:9)” (no. 24).  Why not then seek to reflect on even more of the Mystery by extending, for example, one’s meditation on the third joyful mystery to include in its own right the mystery of the Epiphany as an important aspect of the Lord’s Nativity?  As I have prayed the Rosary with such enrichments in mind, a fuller schema has gradually taken shape which I am now sharing with any who might find it helpful.

If the present format seems daunting at first, please remember it is a theologian’s penchant to want the whole of the Christian mystery to receive due attention, from Creation to Resurrection! Pope John Paul even asked the theologically inclined to perform such a service: “I also place my trust in you, theologians: by your sage and rigorous reflection, rooted in the word of God and sensitive to the lived experience of the Christian people, may you help them to discover the Biblical foundations, the spiritual riches and the pastoral value of this traditional prayer” (no. 43). So this approach, in its admitted complexity, has no other aim than to uncover “the theological depth of a prayer suited to those who feel the need for deeper contemplation,” (no. 39) and to do so “without prejudice to any essential aspect of the prayer’s traditional format” (no. 19).

In offering this method I hope, moreover, to be following along the path the sainted pope himself already paved, namely, “that to bring out fully the Christological depth of the Rosary it would be suitable to make an addition to the traditional pattern” (no. 19).  In other words, the format I am suggesting is designed to make even clearer how in the Rosary one finds an expansive review, so to speak, of the mystery of salvation -- that it can indeed embody “all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety” (no. 1).  And while I have gone considerably beyond the “official” sets of mysteries to a more thorough restructuring, my intention is the same as his, namely, “to give it fresh life and to enkindle renewed interest in the Rosary’s place within Christian spirituality as a true doorway to the depths of the Heart of Christ” (no. 19).

Even so, it would be impossible to include here every possible moment in the unfolding of God’s saving plan for the world. So I have made a selection of what seem to me the more important events from the broad spectrum of salvation history to enrich further the mysteries already given by tradition, always with the intent to more “easily draw the mind to a more expansive reflection on the rest of the Gospel, especially when the Rosary is prayed in a setting of prolonged recollection” (no. 29).  

In addition to my own expansion of the mysteries, the format I am suggesting employs suggestions made in the apostolic letter which have the further goal of seeing the rosary as a form of lectio divina and indeed, to enable a genuine “commitment to the contemplation of the Christian mystery” (no. 5).

The first of these is the suggested use, after announcing each mystery, of “a suitable icon to portray it… to open up a scenario on which to focus our attention…. In the Church’s traditional spirituality, the veneration of icons and the many devotions appealing to the senses…. [are] judged to be of great help in concentrating the mind on the particular mystery. This is a methodology, moreover, which corresponds to the inner logic of the Incarnation: in Jesus, God wanted to take on human features. It is through his bodily reality that we are led into contact with the mystery of his divinity” (no. 29).

Secondly, there is the suggestion of reading a verse from Scripture either prior to each Hail Mary or as one mentally prays the Hail Mary in the background, to help maintain the focus on each mystery and to provide a “biblical foundation and greater depth to our meditation” (no. 30).  If desired, one could choose to use this method for only one of the mysteries in a given set to pay particular attention to it, and use the traditional method for the others.  

Thirdly, is the suggestion to add a concluding prayer drawn from liturgical sources at the end of each of the mysteries in order to “better express their full spiritual fruitfulness” (no. 35).  The collects chosen here are all taken from the Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary – a rich liturgical resource I suspect gets too little exposure.

Lastly, there is the suggestion to distribute the mysteries over the course of a week: “This weekly distribution has the effect of giving the different days of the week a certain spiritual ‘color’, by analogy with the way in which the Liturgy colors the different seasons of the liturgical year” (no. 38).  It is here, perhaps, that the schema I am proposing finds its strongest justification.  For as Pope John Paul went on to say, “In the Rosary, in a way similar to what takes place in the Liturgy, the Christian week, centered on Sunday, the day of Resurrection, becomes a journey through the mysteries of the life of Christ, and he is revealed in the lives of his disciples as the Lord of time and of history” (no. 38).  The only difference here is that, given a total of 40 mysteries, one set—the  Hidden Mysteries – is designed to be used on any day of the week for the reasons mentioned in the meditation which precedes them.

August 15, 2015
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Bicentennial of the Foundation of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood

Mysteries of Preparation

These rosary meditations bring us from the first creation of which Adam and Eve are the summit, to the new creation, where Christ, the Second Adam, and Mary, the New Eve, embody the flower and the fruit of a new humanity: the first-born of God’s new people, whose resurrection and assumption fill us with the hope of our own fulfillment. We move then in these meditations from mystery to mystery, from the dawn of the first day to the dawning of the last, from the Creation of the heavens and the earth, to the arrival of a new heavens and a new earth from the hand of God.
The mysteries proceed, of course, with the awareness that Eden did not long remain Paradise for us. The sin which marred the human community in its relationship with God, with one another, and with the rest of creation, would soon appear and make of the Second Adam, a Redeemer.  So the long history of salvation begins, once the entrance to Eden is barred, and we begin the long wait for a new Angel to announce glad tidings that a Savior would be born.


The time of preparation passes through centuries of patriarchs, prophets, judges, priests, and kings, all slowly converging on the Mother and the Son in whom the promise will be fulfilled. In God’s mysterious design, it is Mary who will prove to be the chosen among the chosen, the glory of that people whom God made his own.  Thus the fulfillment is already at hand when she alone is conceived without the burden of sin to inhibit her role in God’s saving plan, and later born of parents who awaited the Day of the Lord: the Day that finally dawns when Gabriel addresses her with those pregnant words, “Hail, full of grace.” And the long preparation is over, as she gives her consent to become the Mother of the Messiah who will save his people from their sins.
 
Mysteries of Jubilation

As the promised Savior first makes his way in the world, he is met with joy at every turn. All that he touches turns to jubilation: The one who will serve as his Forerunner leaps for joy in the womb of his mother Elizabeth.  John’s mother likewise rejoices at the visit of her Lord’s Mother.  Shepherds rejoice once Mary’s Child is born, joining themselves to her and Joseph’s jubilation, while angels tell forth the glad tidings.   The Child’s parents rejoice to place their Son securely among his own people, as they fulfill the Law of Moses and circumcise the firstborn of Mary, while his adoptive father   confers on him a name meaning Savior -- the name “Jesus” which will one day be confessed as the Name above all other names.

Several weeks later, joy comes again to his Mother as the time of her seclusion ends and the Child is presented in the temple, once more according to the Law of Moses: the One who will ransom the world with his Blood himself ransomed by turtledoves and pigeons. Still more joy awaits as Simeon and Anna sense by the Spirit that this Child is the longed-for Messiah, while Magi from the East come by the light of a star and rejoice to find the infant king of the Jews.  Yes, there is untold jubilation here.

But this is no earthly joy, so often confused with mere happiness.  No, this is a joy that shares in God’s unfolding plan, whereby this Child will also be known as a Man of Sorrows, thereby giving to each of these mysteries of jubilation another side. Thus a visitation awaits John the Forerunner when he meets up with this world’s powers and forfeits his head on a platter to placate human pride.  And the birth of Jesus takes place in squalor as no room can be found for them in the inn.  Indeed, the Son of Man will never have a place in which to lay his head.  And the first shedding of Jesus’ precious Blood in the circumcision foreshadows a far more copious outpouring.  Simeon too prophesies that the Child will be a sign of contradiction and that his Mother’s heart will be pierced as with a sword as she shares in his mission.  And finally, after being deceived by the Magi, Herod causes wailing to be heard in Bethlehem as the innocents are slaughtered and the Holy Family escapes into Egypt.  No, these joyful mysteries already speak of the sorrowful ones to follow.
 
Mysteries of Manifestation

Who then is this Child, for whom so much was prepared, and because of whom so many rejoiced?  These mysteries of manifestation (or as the Christian East says, “theophany”) begin to answer the question.  Each one has its own recipient.  The Epiphany already paved the way, for then the Christ was manifested to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi.  Next, at the age of twelve, it appears as if a new Solomon – architect of the first temple -- had arisen in Israel.  Jesus’ show of wisdom amazes the doctors of the Law, who represent the people of the First Covenant.  The Child will, however, be “lost” for three days a second time, while the temple of his Body is refashioned in the tomb: the one Body in whom Jew and Gentile would form a dwelling-place for God in the Spirit.


In between, the mystery of his Person would be manifested by the Jordan River, causing even John to hesitate as the sinless One comes to him for baptism, so much so that John would later wonder if Jesus was indeed him who was to come, or whether he should wait for another.  But what was obscure to John is made manifest to Jesus as he comes up from the water and beholds the Spirit descending on him and hears the Father pronounce him to be the beloved Son.
After this, even the powers of darkness receive insight into Jesus’ identity. As one might expect, however, Satan’s recognition is clouded by doubt. He begins to test whether this is indeed the Son of God who has come into the desert.  So the devil tempts the Lord to manifest himself through displays of power, as if this would be the sure proof of who had come into the wilderness.  After all, temptations to power always seem to work with human beings, as proved once upon a time in a garden.  But this unusual son of Adam leaves Satan wondering, so the Father of Lies must await another opportunity to test his growing suspicions – in a garden of quite another kind.


In his public ministry, however, Jesus is less reluctant to perform signs, as he is manifested to the crowds. For upon him rests the Spirit of the Lord, who bids prisoners go free, the blind have sight, the oppressed be at liberty, and the poor, whom he calls blessed, to have good news preached to them. The evangelist John records seven such signs that manifest the One accomplishing them: water changed into wine, a slave boy restored to life, an invalid cured, a stormy sea walked upon, loaves and fishes multiplied, a man born blind healed, and a friend raised from the dead.

But three of his chosen disciples receive the greatest manifestation of all prior to the events of Holy Week.  Peter, James, and John witness a theophany whose brilliance makes the sun pale in comparison, together with a voice that speaks, no longer to Jesus alone, but to them: “This is my Son, the beloved.”
 
Mysteries of Transition

From the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus proceeds to the “exodus” by which we are set free from futile ways of life by the precious Blood of a spotless Lamb.  As the blood of the paschal lamb marked the doorposts of Hebrew slaves so that the Avenging Angel might pass over them, we too are ransomed by a saving Victim.  But this is the Victim to end all victims, the Scapegoat who takes upon himself any and every sin needing atonement.


The transition to Jesus’ impending departure begins, however, by way of an entrance. To shouts of acclamation, as though he were a king, the Victim is set on a collision course with the powers that be. On Palm Sunday he rivals Pontius Pilate, who also enters the Holy City for Passover with all the pomp and circumstance of earthly lords; the contrast, however, to the king who enters on a beast of burden already foreshadows the inevitable conflict, for this is no king like Caesar and his cohorts.
Soon the Victim is set on another path leading to mortal conflict: this time with the powers of Religion, rather than Politics.  The One about to be offered in sacrifice evicts those who are selling what, after all, was the reason for the Temple’s existence.  Why? Because the whole system of sacrifice was about to end and a new high priest installed. Religion as we know it was about to be replaced with a new Temple, the temple of his Body, just as Politics was about to be overthrown by a Kingdom not of this world.  For this to happen, however, the final Victim must be slain.


Before he is handed over, however, the Victim demonstrates once more how his priesthood and his kingship are unlike anything known until then or now: He first washes his disciples’ feet, taking the form of a slave, and then identifies himself with food and drink -- the sacrificial meal by which they would remember his exodus.


But one last Power beckons: The tempter returns to a garden, as with the first Adam.  And the conflict here is so intense, it makes the Victim sweat Blood.  The cup that moments before contained the fruit of the vine he would not drink again until he drank it anew in the reign of God -- the fruit he called his Blood – he now asks to pass him by.  But this is the temptation meant to undo the one Adam succumbed to, tasting a forbidden fruit, but with a new tree of life in view.  And lo, the Victim is proving victorious in his agony.  This time the Serpent will fail in his quest.  But the struggle is not over.  For the tree of life to bear its fruit, all the powers that make victims must now converge – Politics, Religion, the Prince of this World – and condemn the innocent Victim.
 
Mysteries of Passion

The sacrifices customarily offered in the Temple were slaughtered according to precise rituals.  The animals were not to suffer needlessly.  Care was taken above all for the disposal of blood.  No such consideration is offered this Victim.  The suffering inflicted on him is without bounds: from the Roman scourge, to the crown of thorns, to the buffets and spitting, to the weight of the cross, the nails, the hours of hanging on the tree, and the slow but steady asphyxiation.  Nor is the Victim’s Blood shed with the slightest concern for Its disposal: It flows freely onto pillar and pavement, from his lacerated Head, bruised shoulders, pierced hands and feet, and the cross is caked with It.


But to focus on the physical torment of the Victim alone would be a mistake. There is more to these mysteries of passion.  There is, at every turn, another aspect which discloses the inner meaning of the suffering the Victim endured.  There is, for example, the exchange of innocent life for the guilty Barabbas – a part anyone of us could take.  There is the compassion for the women and children of Jerusalem -- who within a generation would see their city and way of life also crushed by Roman power.  There is the forgiveness of executioners who did not know what they were doing – a plea no one of us could make.  There is the thief to whom Paradise was promised that very day -- apparently the first one to regain entry to the garden whose entrance was so long ago barred. And there is the widowed Mother, the mysterious prophecy of Simeon fulfilled as the sword piercing her heart “too” is matched by the lance about to be thrust into her Son’s side -- but not before he confides her to the care of the Beloved Disciple.
All these things demonstrate how the mysteries of passion are above all those of a divine Lover showing forth an impassioned love for the worthy and the unworthy alike.
 
Mysteries of Glorification

The Gospel of John would have us see how Jesus has but one “hour” in which he is glorified by the Father: it is an hour which extends from the Lord’s passion until the Son of Man is “lifted up” as he returns to the Father. For John, it is all glory. Hence, these mysteries of glorification begin in perhaps the most poignant of the passion’s scenes, which he alone among the evangelists records: the piercing of Jesus’ side with a lance, from which blood and water flowed out.  Here the signs of death and the signs of life mix, just as death and resurrection are both intermingled in Jesus’ hour.

There follows the burial in a garden, as if to signal that the second Adam is about to reopen gated Eden in which the tree of life has been replanted, of whose fruit we may now all eat.

But first he must attend to those who until now had been kept outside the gate, from Adam onward.  He descends to Hades, the abode of the dead, tasting along the way the depths of abandonment of those lost to sin and death. This God-forsakenness, announced from the cross in a cry of desolation, extends the passion into the very bowels of the earth, making him who did not know sin “to be sin.”  For the Spirit begins the work of resurrection at precisely the point of furthest distance between Father and Son. Yes, he descends into very hell, the absence of God, in the mystery of Holy Saturday.

But his presence there harrows hell – empties it of all those who await the voice of God’s Son, bringing to them the gift of Easter peace as he begins his return to the Father, leading the captive forth. The final barriers separating men and women from God are thus broken down.  Not even the tombs of the dead can prevent them and us from rising and ascending with the new Adam who bursts asunder the chains of death and announces “Shalom” to those who have new and eternal life by believing in his Name.
 
Mysteries of Consummation

These mysteries are meant for the Christian Sunday, which is at once the first day of the week on which the Savior rose from the dead, the dawn of a new creation, and the “eighth day” -- symbol of that new era begun on Easter but which awaits consummation on the Day of the Lord’s return.

And it is Pentecost that inaugurates this consummation of all things following their fulfillment in Christ. For the Sprit breathes life into the Church, the body of the second Adam, as God breathed life into the clay from which the first Adam was formed. And Mary, the new Eve, truly becomes the “mother of the living” at the heart of this community of men and women enlivened by the Spirit.  For the Spirit overshadows her as once before at the Annunciation, securing her maternal role as Mother of the Church -- conceived like her Son by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Later, her Assumption and Coronation will mark her fully as the consummate Woman, consort of the new Adam, sharing with him the grace of resurrection and the promise to reign with him in the new creation.  Together they preside over the new humanity refashioned in the image and likeness of God, male and female.

But at Christ’s second coming in glory to judge the living and the dead, all those joined to the new people of God will come to share this fullness of life, when all things will be subjected to him, including the last enemy, death.  As the dead rise, every sorrow and injustice that disfigured human history from Adam and Eve onward will be compensated and redressed.  On that Day, Christ will hand over the kingdom -- creation restored and renewed -- to the Father, making God all in all.  This is the hope of every Christian -- the “life of the world to come” – which every Sunday recalls and anticipates.   
 
Mysteries of Hiddenness

All the mysteries of the Rosary invite us to contemplate an aspect of God’s secret plan for human salvation now manifest in and through Christ--what Paul calls “the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but which has now been revealed to his saints” (Col. 1:26). So why designate a particular set of mysteries as “hidden?” In part to remind us how all the mysteries, though revealed, still elude human comprehension and can never be exhausted by human reflection—they remain, in other words, mysteries. Particular aspects of the mystery of Christ can serve, moreover, as signs of what is really a disclosure-in-concealment. The ones highlighted here are meant to remind us how all the others are even more inscrutably mysteries of a faith which sees dimly at best (cf. 1 Cor. 13:12).

Beginning with the mystery of Christ already present in the Old Testament, but needing the New to grasp the full import of its symbols and prophecies, we find ourselves before a revelation which proceeds gradually and unfolds only before those who are given eyes to see. The accompanying icon, known to the East as “the Virgin of the Sign” – the sign foretold by Isaiah that the virgin shall be with child – conveys this by portraying Mary and Emmanuel surrounded by all the prophets of the First Covenant, each contributing his own sign of the coming Messiah.

Despite this prophetic preparation for the Gospel and the star which gave even the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, the light needed to behold the new-born King of the Jews, his life from the beginning is marked by incomprehension. The hidden character of Christ is signaled from the start by his need to go into hiding, emerging from Egypt only to find himself in the obscurity of Nazareth.

There he lives his so-called hidden life. Only one other incident is recorded in the gospels concerning this time following the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke—the incident when as a boy Jesus was lost for three days in the temple. Despite much fanciful conjecture about his adolescence and young adulthood, in all probability Jesus labored in the trade he learned from Joseph and was at some point apprenticed by John the Baptist. These years of anonymity foreshadow the lack of faith he would encounter during those that followed.

Once his mission was complete, it fell to his followers, now gathered as the church, to further the ways by which the kingdom of God grows “we know not how” (cf. Mk. 4:27). The church as mystery shares in the hidden character of God’s plan for humanity—perhaps most poignantly when the church is justly viewed as a countersign of the gospel--even as she remains the body and bride of Christ her Lord whose exemplar and sign is Mary her mother.

Nothing, however, can impede the final victory of Christ secretly yet pervasively at work in the cosmos—so beautifully portrayed in the accompanying icon---reconciling all things to God until that time when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, “so that God may be all in all” (cf. 1 Cor. 15:24,28).
Since these mysteries deal with the past, present and future, reminding us how “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8), they can be employed on any day of the week, and because they bring the total in this version of the Rosary to forty they also mark a sort of completion to this form of the devotion.


TABLE OF MYSTERIES

Mysteries of Preparation (Monday)
First mystery: the Creation
Second mystery: the Fall
Third mystery: the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Fourth mystery: the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Fifth mystery: the Annunciation of the Lord

Mysteries of Jubilation (Tuesday)
First mystery: the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Second mystery: the Nativity of the Lord
Third mystery: the Circumcision and Naming of the Lord
Fourth mystery: the Presentation of the Lord
Fifth mystery: the Epiphany of the Lord

Mysteries of Manifestation (Wednesday)
First mystery: the Christ Child in the Temple
Second mystery: the Baptism of the Lord
Third mystery: the Temptations of the Lord
Fourth mystery: the Proclamation and Signs of the Kingdom of God
Fifth mystery: the Transfiguration of the Lord

Mysteries of Transition (Thursday)
First mystery: the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem
Second mystery: the Cleansing of the Temple
Third mystery: the Last Supper
Fourth mystery: the Agony in the Garden
Fifth mystery: the Trial of the Lord

Mysteries of Passion (Friday)
First mystery: the Scourging at the Pillar
Second mystery: the Crowning with Thorns
Third mystery: Carrying the Cross
Fourth mystery: the Crucifixion
Fifth mystery: the Agony on the Cross

Mysteries of Glorification (Saturday)
First mystery: the Piercing of Jesus’ Side
Second mystery: the Entombment of the Lord
Third mystery: the Descent into Hell
Fourth mystery: the Resurrection of the Lord
Fifth mystery: the Ascension of the Lord

Mysteries of Consummation (Sunday)
First mystery: the Descent of the Holy Spirit
Second mystery: the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Third mystery: the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Fourth mystery: the Second Coming of the Lord and Final Judgment
Fifth mystery: the Resurrection of the Dead

Hidden Mysteries (Any day)
First mystery: Christ Foretold
Second mystery: Christ Exiled
Third mystery: Christ Hidden
Fourth mystery: Christ in the Church
Fifth mystery: the Cosmic Christ

 

Mysteries of Preparation (Monday)

First mystery: the Creation

1) In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.  (Gen. 1:1-2)

2) Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. (Gen. 1:3)

3) And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” (Gen. 1:6)

4) And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. (Gen. 1:9)

5) And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. (Gen. 1:14-15)

6) And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.”.(Gen. 1:20)

7) And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. (Gen. 1:24)

8) Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness….So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. (Gen. 1:26a,27,31)

9) And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. (Gen. 2:2)

10) [God’s beloved Son] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers--all things have been created through him and for him.  He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Col. 1:15-17)

 

Lord our God, you chose the Blessed Virgin,
formed by the Holy Spirit,
as the firstfruits of the new creation;
grant that we may reject the old ways of sin,
embrace wholeheartedly the new life of the Gospel,
and honor faithfully the new commandment of love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; New Eve)


Second mystery: the Fall

1) And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. (Gen. 2:8)

2) And the LORD God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” (Gen. 2:16-17)

3) And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed. (Gen. 2:25)

4) Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Gen. 3:1)

5) So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. (Gen. 3:6)

6) They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (Gen. 3:8)

7) The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.”  Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” (Gen. 3:12-13)

8) The LORD God said to the serpent, “…..I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Gen. 3:15)

9) Therefore the LORD God sent Adam forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man; and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life. (Gen. 3: 22-24)

10) Death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. (Rom. 5: 12-14)



Lord,
let the Virgin Mary in her glory intercede for us;
adorned with the gifts of the Holy Spirit,
she won your favor
and brought forth for us your only Son,
fair beyond all the children of earth.
Grant that we may turn away from the ugliness of sin
and love only the beauty that comes from your Spirit.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.
 
 (Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mary, Mother of Fairest Love C)

Third mystery: the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1) For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. (Rom. 5:15b)

2) For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. (Rom. 5:16b)

3) If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5:17)

4) Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. (Rom. 5:18)

5) For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. (Rom. 5:19)

6) But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. (Rom. 5:20)

7) So that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 5:21)

8) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. (Rom. 8:29)

9) And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Rom. 9:30)

10) Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind--yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. (Eph. 5:25-27)

Lord our God,
you made the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
the home of your eternal Word
and the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit.
Give us a heart that is free from sin
and attentive to your will,
that, faithful to your commandments,
we may love you above all things
and seek to help others in their need.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary)


Fourth mystery: the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1) If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:29)

2) It is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and the other by a free woman. One, the child of the slave, was born according to the flesh; the other, the child of the free woman, was born through the promise. (Gal. 4:22-23)

3) Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One woman, in fact, is Hagar, from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. (Gal. 4:24-25)

4) But the other woman corresponds to the Jerusalem above; she is free, and she is our mother. (Gal. 4:26)

5) For it is written, “Rejoice, you childless one, you who bear no children, burst into song and shout, you who endure no birth pangs; for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than the children of the one who is married.” (Gal. 4:27)

6) Now you, my friends, are children of the promise, like Isaac. (Gal. 4:28)

7) But just as at that time the child who was born according to the flesh persecuted the child who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her child; for the child of the slave will not share the inheritance with the child of the free woman.” (Gal. 4:29-30)

8) So then, friends, we are children, not of the slave but of the free woman. (Gal. 4:31)

9) The creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Rom. 8:19-21)

10) We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. (Rom. 8:22-23)


Lord our God,
you were pleased to bring joy to the world
through the Incarnation of your Son.
Grant that we who honor his Mother,
the cause of our joy,
may always walk in the way of your commandments
with our hearts set on true and lasting joy.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Cause of Our Joy)


Fifth mystery: the Annunciation of the Lord

1) In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. (Luke 1:26-27)

2) And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28)

3) But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. (Luke 1:29)

4) The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (Luke 1:30)

5) And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. (Luke 1:31)

6) He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33)

7) Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34)

8)  The angel said to her, “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 holy; he will be called Son of God. (Luke 1:35)

9) And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:36-37)

10)  Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38)

 

O God, who willed that at the message of an Angel
your Word should take flesh
in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
grant that we, who pray to you
and believe her to be truly the Mother of God
may be helped by her interceding before you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Annunciation of the Lord)


Mysteries of Jubilation (Tuesday)

First mystery: the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1) In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country,
where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. (Luke 1:39-40)

2) When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb.. (Luke 1:41)

3) And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. (Luke 1:42)

4) And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me (Luke 1:43)

5) And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;  for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (Luke 1:46-49)

6) His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. (Luke 1:50)

7) He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. (Luke 1:51)

8) He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1:52-53)

9) He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” (Luke 1:54-55)

10) And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. (Luke 1:56)



Lord our God,
you brought salvation and joy
to the home of Elizabeth
through the visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the ark of the New Covenant.
We ask that, in obedience
to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,
we too may bring Christ to others and proclaim your greatness
by the praise of our lips and the holiness of our lives.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)


Second mystery: the Nativity of the Lord

1) When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. (Gal. 4:4-5)

2) In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. (Luke 2:1)

3) Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. (Luke 2:4)

4) While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)

5) In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (Luke 2:8-9)

6) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)

7) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:13-14)

8) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. (Luke 2:16)

9) When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:17-19)

10) The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 1:20)


O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary
bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation,
grant, we pray,
that we may experience the intercession of her,
through whom we were found worthy to receive the author
  of life,
our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
Holy Mary, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Savior)

 

Third mystery: the Circumcision and Naming of the Lord

1) After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21)

2) All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” (Matt. 1:22-23)

3)  God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:17-18)

4)  He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (Heb. 1:3-4)

5)  Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:9-11)

6)  Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True…. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God….. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, “King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Rev. 19:11a,13,16)

7)  A person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart--it is spiritual and not literal. (Rom. 2:28-29)

8) So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision”--a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands--remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph. 2:11-13)

9) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love. (Gal. 5:6)

10) In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. (Col. 2:11-12)

All-holy Father,
fountain of unity and wellspring of harmony,
grant that all the families of nations,
through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother of the human race,
may be gathered together
to form the one people of the New Covenant.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

 (Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Holy Mary, Mother of Unity)

 

Fourth mystery: the Presentation of the Lord

1) 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…. (Luke 2:22a)

2) And they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” (Luke 2:24)

3) Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. (Luke 2:25)

4) Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law. (Luke 2:27)
 
5) Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:28-32)

6) And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. (Luke 2:33)

7) Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:34-35)

8) There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher…. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. (Luke 2:36a-37)

9) At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:38)

10) When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. (Luke 2:39)


Lord, grant that the Church,
the chaste Bride of Christ,
may keep unbroken the New Covenant of love
and, like your humble handmaid,
who presented to you in the temple,
the author of the New Law,
may the Church keep its faith unspotted,
grow in hope of heaven,
and deepen its heartfelt love for you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
Mary and the Presentation of the Lord)

Fifth mystery: the Epiphany of the Lord

1) In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” (Matt. 2:1-2)

2) When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. (Matt. 2:3-4)

3)  They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” (Matt. 2:5-6)

4) Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. (Matt. 2:7)

5)  Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” (Matt. 2:8)

6) When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. (Matt. 2:9-10)

7) On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matt. 2:11)

8) And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. (Matt. 2:12)

9) Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” (Matt. 2:13)

10) When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. (Matt. 2:16)

Lord our God, through the Blessed Virgin Mary
you revealed your Son to the world
as the glory of Israel
and the light of all nations;
grant that as we follow his teaching and example
we may strengthen our faith in Christ
and acknowledge him to be the one Mediator
and the Savior of the world.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
Mary and the Epiphany of the Lord)

Mysteries of Manifestation (Wednesday)

First mystery: the Christ Child in the Temple

1) Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. (Luke 2:41-42)

2) When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. (Luke 2:43)

3) Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. (Luke 2:44)

4) When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. (Luke 2:45)

5) After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. (Luke 2:46-47)

6) When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” (Luke 2:48)

7) He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. (Luke 2:49-50)

8)  Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. (Luke 2:51)

9) And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. (Luke 2:52)

10) The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! (Matt. 12:42)


God of wisdom,
in your desire to restore us to your friendship
after we had lost it by sin,
you chose the Blessed Virgin Mary
as the seat of your Wisdom.
Grant through her intercession
that we may not seek the wisdom of the proud
but with humility treasure your revealed wisdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Seat of Wisdom B)


Second mystery: the Baptism of the Lord

1) Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him (Mk. 1:9)
2) John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. (Matt. 3:14-15)
3) And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him (Mk. 1:10)
4) And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (Mk. 1:11)
5) Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (Rom. 6:3)
6) Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. (Rom. 6:4)
7) For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Rom. 6:5)
8)  We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. (Rom. 6:6)
9)  But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. (Rom. 6:8-9)
10)  The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.  So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 6:10-11)


Lord, from the chaste womb of the baptismal font
the Church, our mother, has given to children of this earth
a new birth as children of heaven.
Grant that through the life-giving Gospel
and your grace-filled sacraments
the Church may form is daughters and sons
in the likeness of Christ, its founder,
who was born of a Virgin Mother
as the firstborn of many brothers and sisters
and the Savior of the whole human race.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Fountain of Light and Life)


Third mystery: the Temptations of the Lord

1) Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. (Luke 4:1)
2) The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” (Luke 4:3)
3) Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” (Luke 4:4)
4) Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.  And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please.  If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” (Luke 4:5-7)
5) Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” (Luke 4:8)
6) Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” (Luke 4:9-11)
7)  Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Luke 4:12)
8) When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:13)
9) We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. (Heb. 4:15)
10) Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:16)

 

Lord, you know that our thoughts on earth
are full of fear and uncertainty;
through theintercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
from whom your Son took flesh and blood,
send us the gift of counsel
to teach us how to discern your will
and to guide us in all we do.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
 who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 
(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Mother of Good Counsel)

 

Fourth mystery: the Proclamation and Signs of the Kingdom of God
 
1) Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” (Mark 1:14-15)
2) When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read,  and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” (Luke 4:15-18a)
3) When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:1-3)
4) He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matt. 13: 31-32)
5)  On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”  His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2: 1,3,5)
6) Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my little boy dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” (John 4:46-50)
7) Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids--blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.… Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” At once the man was made well…. (John 5:2-5,8-9)
8)  When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum…. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing…. They saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” (John 6:16-17,19-20)
9) As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth…. He spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. (John 9:1a,6-7)
10)  Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany… He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him….” Then Jesus…greatly disturbed, came to the tomb…. Jesus said, “Take away the stone….” He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out…. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:1,11,38a,39a)

 

All-holy Father,
in your divine wisdom and love
you chose that the Blessed Virgin Mary
should play her part
in the mysteries of our salvation;
grant that by heeding the words of Christ’s Mother
we may do what he commands
in the Gospel he has given.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 
(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Our Lady of Cana)
 

Fifth mystery: the Transfiguration of the Lord
 
1) Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. (Luke 9:28)
2)  And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. (Luke 9:29)
3)  Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:30-31)
4) Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. (Luke 9:32)
5)  Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”--not knowing what he said. (Luke 9:33)
6) While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. (Luke 9:34)
7) Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35)
8) When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. (Luke 9:36)
9) And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:18)
10) For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty…. We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. (2 Pet. 1:16,18)


May the venerable intercession of the glorious Virgin Mary
come to our aid, we pray, O Lord,
so that, fortified by her protection,
we may reach the mountain which is Christ.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 
(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Mother and Teacher)

Mysteries of Transition (Thursday)

First mystery: the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem

1)  When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. (Matt. 21:1-2)

2)  If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” (Matt. 21:3)

3)  This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Matt. 21:4-5)

4)  The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. (Matt. 21:6-7)

5) A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. (Matt. 21:8)

6) The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matt. 21:9)

7) When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” (Matt. 21:10)

8) The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matt. 21:11)

9) Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited. (Phil. 2:5-6)

10) [He] emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:7-8)


Lord our God,
you placed at the side of your suffering Son
his Mother to suffer with him,
so that the human race,
deceived by the wiles of the devil,
might become a new and resplendent creation.
Grant that your people may put aside their inheritance of sin
and put on the newness of life
won by Christ the Redeemr.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary at the Foot of the Cross II A)

Second mystery: the Cleansing of the Temple

1) As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. (Luke 19:41-42)

2) Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there. (Luke 19:45)

3) And he said, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer’; but you have made it a den of robbers.” (Luke 19:46)

4) Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard. (Luke 19:47-48)

5) The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” (John 2:18)

6) Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19)

7) The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” (John 2:20)

8) But he was speaking of the temple of his body. (John 2:21)

9) I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. (Rev. 21:22)

10) The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. (Rev. 21:24-26)



Lord God,
with artistry beyond all telling
you fashioned a holy temple for your Son
in the virginal womb of Blessed Mary;
grant that, in faithfully safeguarding the grace of our Baptism,
we may worship you in spirit and in truth
and become like Mary a temple of your glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Temple of the Lord)

Third mystery: the Last Supper

 
1) Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” (John 6:4-5)
2) One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” (John 6:8-9)
3) Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. (John 6:11)
4) Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)
5)  So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.” (John 6:53-55)
6) “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.” (John 6:56-57)
7)  Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.” (Luke 22:7-8)
8) When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him.  He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;  for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:14-16)
9)  Then he took a loaf of 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.”  And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (Luke 22:19-20)
10) The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?  Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. (1 Cor. 10:16-17)

 

Lord our God,
You sent your Son from heaven
into the womb of the Blessed Virgin
to be your saving Word and our Bread of life.
Grant that like Mary we may welcome Christ
by treasuring his words in our hearts
and celebrating with deep faith
the mysteries of our redemption.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
Holy Mary, Mother of God A)

 
Fourth mystery: the Agony in the Garden

1) In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. (Heb. 5:7)

2) He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. (Luke 22:39)

3) When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” (Luke 22:40)

4) Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:41-42)

5) Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. (Luke 22:43)

6) In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. (Luke 22:44)

7) When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” (Luke 22:45-46)

8) While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” (Luke 22:47-48)

9) When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. (Luke 22:49-51)

10) Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit.  When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness (Luke 22:52-53)


Lord our God,
through the Virgin Mary
you graciously sent Jesus Christ
to be the consolation of your people;
grant that, through her intercession,
we may be filled with all consolation
and share it among our brothers and sisters.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Mother of Consolation)

Fifth mystery: the Trial of the Lord

1) First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. (John 18:13)
2) Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. (John 18:19)
3) Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. (John 18:24)
4) Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. (John 18:28a)
5) Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”  (John 18:29)
6) Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” (John 18:31a)
7) Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (John 18:33)
8) Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world.” (John 18:36a)
9) Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37)
10) Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him.” (John 18:38)



Lord our God,
in your loving plan of redemption
you chose the Blessed Virgin,
your lowly handmaid,
to be the Mother and companion of Christ your Son;
grant that by constantly looking up to her
we may give you wholehearted service
in untiring care for the salvation of the world.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Holy Mary, Handmaid of the Lord)

 

Mysteries of Passion (Friday)

First mystery: the Scourging at the Pillar
 
1) Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. (John 19:1)
2) I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. (Isa. 50:6)
3) He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account. (Isa. 53:3)
4) But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. (Isa. 53:5)
5) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isa. 53:6)
6) Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him with pain. (Isa. 53:10)
7) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. (1 Pt. 2:21)
8) When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. (1 Pt. 2:23)
9) He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (1 Pt. 2:24)
10) For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. (1 Pt. 2:25)


Almighty and eternal God,
you gave the Blessed Virgin Mary,
glorious Mother of your Son,
as a pillar of strength
to all who call upon her aid;
grant through her intecession
that we may be strong in faith,
unwavering in hope, and steadfast in love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Pillar of Faith)

 

 
Second mystery: the Crowning with Thorns

1) And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. (John 19:2)

2) They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face. (John 19:3)

3) I am a worm, and not human; scorned by others, and despised by the people. (Ps. 22:6)

4) All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads; (Ps. 22:7)

5) He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. (Isa. 53:2)

6) Pilate went out again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.” (John 19:4)

7) So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” (John 19:5)

8) Pilate entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. (John 19:9)

9) Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above.” (John 19:9-11)

10) Just as there were many who were astonished at him--so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of mortals--so he shall startle many nations. (Isa 52:14-15)



All-holy Father,
hear the prayers of your children,
weighed down by our sinfulness,
as we turn to you and call upon the merciful love
that moved you to send your Son as Savior of the world
and to enthrone holy Mary as the Queen of mercy.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
Holy Mary, Queen and Mother of Mercy)


 
Third mystery: Carrying the Cross
 
1) Then Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. (John 19:16)
2) He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished. (Luke 23:25)
3) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (Isa. 53:7)

4) By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. (Isa .53:8)
5) As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)
6) A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. (Luke 23:27)
7) But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. (Luke 23:28)
8) Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. (Luke 23:32)
9) For the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:2)

10) Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. (Heb. 13:12-13)



O God, Father of mercies,
whose Only Begotten Son, as he hung upon the Cross,
chose the Blessed Virgin Mary, his Mother,
to be our Mother also,
grant, we pray, that with her loving help
your Church may be more fruitful day by day
and, exulting in the holiness of her children,
may draw to her embrace all the families of the peoples.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Image and Mother of the Church I)

 

Fourth mystery: the Crucifixion

1) He went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. (John 19:17)
2) There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. (John 19:18)
3) Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
4) Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (John 19:19)
5) When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. (John 19: 23-24)
6)  So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.  This was to fulfill what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.” (John 19: 24-25a).
7)  We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Cor. 1:23-24)
8) For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. (1 Cor. 1:25)
9) But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. (1 Cor. 2:7)
10)  None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Cor. 2:8)


Lord God,
you decreed that the Mother of your Son
should stand by his Cross, suffering with him.
Safeguard in your family the fruits of your great work of redemption
and in your goodness
make them grow daily more and more.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary at the Foot of the Cross II B)

 
Fifth mystery: the Agony on the Cross

1) When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. (Mark 15:33)
2) Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” (Mark 15:29-30)
3) One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? (Luke 23:39-40)
4) Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)
5) Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.(John 19:25)
6)  When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26-27a)
7)  After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28)
8) A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. (John 19:29)
9) At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)
10) Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)


Lord our God,
in your mysterious wisdom
you fill out the Passion of Christ
through the suffering that his members endure
in the many trials of this life.
As you chose to have the mournful Mother
stand by your Son in his agony on the Cross,
grant that we too may bring love and comfort
to our brothers and sisters in distress.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary at the Foot of the Cross I)

Mysteries of Glorification (Saturday)

First mystery: the Piercing of the Lord’s Side

1) “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.  And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:31-32)
2) Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. (John 19:31)
3)  Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. (John 19:32-33)
4)  Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (John 19:34)
5)  I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast. (Ps. 22:14)
6)  (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) (John 19:35)
7)  These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” (John 19:36)
8)  And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” (John 19:37)
9)  This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. (1 John 5:6)
10)  There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. (1 John 5:7-8)


Lord our God, through the Precious Blood of your Son
you reconciled the world to yourself
and at the foot of the Cross
you chose the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the Mother of reconciliation for sinners;
grant through her intercession
that we may obtain pardon for our sins.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 
(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Mother of Reconciliation)

 
Second mystery: the Entombment of the Lord

1) Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. (Matt. 12:40)

2) After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. (John 19:38)

3) Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead….When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. (Mark 15:44a-45)

4) Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. (John 19:39)

5) They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. (John 19:40)

6) Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. (John 19:41)

7) And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:42)

8) Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid. (Mark 15:47)

9) They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. (Isa. 53:9)

10) “I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isa 53:12)


O God, whose Son, dying on the altar of the Cross,
willed that the most Blessed Virgin Mary,
whom he had chosen as his Mother,
should be our Mother also,
graciously grant, we pray,
that we, who fly to her protection,
may find comfort by invoking our Mother’s name.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; The Holy name of the Blessed Virgin Mary)



Third mystery: the Descent into Hell

1) For our sake God made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21)
2) I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; I am like those who have no help, like those forsaken among the dead. (Ps. 88:4)
3) You have put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. (Ps. 88:6-7)
4) For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of perdition assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me, the snares of death confronted me. (2 Sam. 22:4-6)
5) Turn, O LORD, save my life; deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love. For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who can give you praise? (Ps. 6:4-5)
6) O LORD, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit. (Ps. 30:3)
7) “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? (Ps. 30:9)
8) He has redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and my life shall see the light. God indeed does all these things, twice, three times, with mortals, to bring back their souls from the Pit, so that they may see the light of life. (Job 33:28-30)
9) Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey. (1 Pet. 3:18-20)
10) “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. (Rev. 1:17-18)



All-holy Father, you chose the Easter Mystery
as the way of our salvation;
grant that we, whom Jesus entrusted from the Cross
to his Virgin Mother,
may be numbered among your adopted children.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; The Commending of the Blessed Virgin Mary)


Fourth mystery: the Resurrection of the Lord

1) Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits--who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit. (Ps. 103:2)
2) When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. (Mark 16:1)
3) And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” (Mark 16:2-3)
4) When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. (Mark 16:4-5)
5) But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.” (Mark 16:6)
6) Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. (Mark 16:9)
7) She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. (Mark 16:10-11)
8) After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. (Mark 16:12-13)
9) Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. (Mark 16:14)
10) And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)


O God, who have been pleased to gladden the world
by the Resurrection of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
grant, we pray,
that through his Mother, the Virgin Mary,
we may receive the joys of everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary and the Resurrection of the Lord)

Fifth mystery: the Ascension of the Lord

1) After his suffering Jesus presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)

2) While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. (Acts 1:4)

3) So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. (Acts 1:6-7)

4) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

5) When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9)

6) While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. (Acts 1:10)

7) They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

8) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. (Acts 1:12)

9) No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:13-15)

10) Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.” (Eph. 4:8)


Lord our God,
as the Blessed Virgin was at prayer with the Apostles
you poured out on her in abundamce
the gifts of the Holy Spirit;
grant through her intercession
that we too, being filled with the same Spirit,
may persevere with one mind in prayer
and bring to the world around us
the Good News of salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Our Lady of the Cenacle)

 

Mysteries of Consummation (Sunday)

First mystery: the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

1) When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:1-2)

2) Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2:3-4)

3) Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. (Acts 2:5-6)

4) All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” (Acts 2:12-13)

5) [Peter said], “No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.’” (Acts 2:16)

6) All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Rom. 8:14-16),

7) The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Rom. 8:26-27)

8) No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. (1 John 4:12-13)

9) The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Gal. 5:22-23)

10) If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. (Gal 5:25)



O God, who gave the Holy Spirit to your Apostles
as they joined in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus,
grant through her intercession
we may faithfully serve your majesty
and extend, by word and example, the glory of your name.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin MaryBook of Common Prayer; Mary, Queen of Apostles)


Second mystery: the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 8:1)

2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. (Rom. 8:2)

3) But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. (Rom. 8:9)

4) If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. (Rom. 8:11)

5) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. (Rom. 8:29)

6) And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Rom. 8:30)
7) For as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. (1 Cor. 15:22)
8) But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. (1 Cor. 15:23)
9) 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)

10) [Mary said, “The Lord] has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly.” (Luke 1:52)



Lord our God, through your power and goodness
the Blessed Virgin,
the fairest fruit of your redeeming love,
shines forth as the perfect image of the Church;
grant to your people on their pilgrim way on earth
that, with eyes fixed on Mary,
they may follow closely in the footsteps of her Son
until they come to that fullness of glory,
which now they contemplate in his Mother
with hearts filled with joy.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Image and Mother of the Church III)

 
Third mystery: the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1) The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. (2 Tim. 2:11-12)

2) To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Rev. 1:5-6)

3) After this I [John] looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! …. At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! (Rev. 4:1-2)

4) Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered…. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. (Rev. 5:6-7)

5) When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Rev. 5:8)

6) They sing a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation; you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth.” (Rev. 5:9-10)

7) Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready; to her it has been granted to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure”-- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. (Rev. 19:6-8)

8) Then I saw thrones, and those seated on them were given authority to judge…. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Rev. 20:4)

9) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him a thousand years. (Rev. 20:6)

10) They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Rev. 22:4-5)



O God, who made the Mother of your Son
to be our Mother and our Queen,
graciously grant that,
sustained by her intercession,
we may attain in the heavenly Kingdom
the glory promised to your children.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Queen of All Creation)

 
Fourth mystery: the Second Coming of the Lord and Final Judgment

1) Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. (Rev. 1:7)

2) Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand! (Rev. 14:14)

3) So the one who sat on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped. (Rev. 14:16)

4) “See, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and is clothed, not going about naked and exposed to shame.” (Rev. 16:15)

5) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books. (Rev. 20:12)

6) “See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Rev. 22:12-13)

7) The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. (2 Pet. 3:9)

8) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. (2 Pet. 3:10)

9) Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God…? (2 Pet. 3:11)

10) But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. (2 Pet. 3:13-15)



Lord our God, you give us the joy
of honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary
as Mother of divine hope.
In your mercy
grant that, through her prayers and help,
we may always live as good citizens of this world,
with our hears fixed on the world to come,
and so receive what we look forward to in faith,
the fulfillment of all our hope.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Mother of Divine Hope A)

 

Fifth mystery: the Resurrection of the Dead

1) Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? (1 Cor. 15:12)
2) If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. (1 Cor. 15:13-14)
3) For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. (1 Cor. 15:16)
4) If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. (1 Cor. 15:17)
5) Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. (1 Cor. 15:18)
6) If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. (1 Cor. 15:19-20)
7) For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being. (1 Cor. 15:21)
8) Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. (1 Cor. 15:24)
9) For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. (1 Cor.15:25-26)
10) When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all. (1 Cor. 15:28)



Lord our God,
in your eternal wisdom and love
you chose the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the Mother of the author of all grace
and as his companion in bringing about
the mystery of our redemption.
Grant that she may obtain for us
graces in abundance
and lead us at last
to the harbor of eternal salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 one God, for ever and ever. Amen

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Mother and Mediatrix of Grace)


Hidden Mysteries (Any day)
     
First Mystery: Christ Foretold
 
1) Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared!.... Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. (Lk. 24:25,27)
2) Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad.’ Then the Jews said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.’ (Jn 8:56-58)
3) Death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. (Rom 5:14)
4) I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,-- that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. (1 Cor. 10:1-4)
5) All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’,
which means, ‘God is with us.’ (Mt 1:22-23)
6) He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.’ (Mt 4:13-16)
7) Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them, and he ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
‘Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased. (Mt 12:15-18)
8) But he answered them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was for three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. (Mt 12:39-40)
9) Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ (Lk 24:44)
10) Now to God--who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith--to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen. (Rom 16:25-27)


O God, who, fulfilling the promise made to our Fathers,
chose the Blessed Virgin Mary
the noble daughter of Zion,
grant that we may follow her example,
for her humility was pleasing to you
and her obedience profitable to us.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
 who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Chosen Daughter of Israel)
 


Second Mystery: Christ Exiled
 
1) Now after [the Magi] had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ (Mt. 2:13)
2)  Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. (Mt. 2:14-15a)
3)  This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’ (Mt. 2:15b)
4)  When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. (Mt. 2:16)
5)  Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’ (Mt. 2:17-18)
6)  When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’ (Mt. 2:19-20)
7)  Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. (Mt. 2:21)
 8)  But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. (Mt. 2:22a)
9)  And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. (Mt. 2:22b)
10)  There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He will be called a Nazorean.’ (Mt. 2:23)


Lord God,
you have given the Blessed Virgin Mary to your Church
as a beacon of unfailing hope.
In your goodness
grant that those who are burdened by life’s cares
may find in her consolation and strength
and those who despair of salvation
may find their hearts warmed and uplifted
as they turn to her in their need.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Mother of Divine Hope B)

 

 
Third Mystery: Christ Hidden
 
1) And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour. (Lk 2:52)
2) On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him. (Mk. 6:1b-3)

3) Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth to speak in parables; I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world.’ (Mt. 13:24-35)

4)  At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (Lk. 10:21)

5)  Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’ (Lk. 10:23-24)

6) As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. (Lk. 19:41-42)

7) But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Cor. 2:7-8)

8) I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col 2:2-3)

9) Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. (Col. 3:2-4)

10) To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it. (Rev. 2:17b)



All-holy Father, in the wonder of your wisdom and love
you decreed that your Son should be born of a woman
and be subject to her guidance;
grant that we may enter more and more
into the mystery of your incarnate Word
and with him lead a hidden life on earth
until, escorted by his Virgin Mother,
we may joyously enter your home in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.
 
(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Our Lady of Nazareth)

 

Fourth Mystery: Christ in the Church

1) God has put all things under [Christ’s] feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Eph. 1:22)

2)  He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. (Col. 1:18)

3)  I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (Col. 1:24)

4)  I became [the church’s] servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. (Col 1:25-26)

5) Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. (Eph. 3:8-9)

6) So that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. (Eph 3:10)

7)  Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God. (Rev. 2:7)

8)  And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve. (Rev. 2:23b)

9)  If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will write on you the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. (Rev. 3:12)

10) ‘It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’ The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. (Rev. 22:16-17)

 

Lord God,
you have shown us in the Blessed Virgin Mary
the model of sublime love and profound humility;
grant that your Church may be like her
obedient to your commandment of love,
so that by giving itself wholeheartedly
to seeking your glory and to serving others
it may stand before all peoples
as the Sacrament of your love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Image and Mother of the Church II)


 
Fifth Mystery: the Cosmic Christ
 
1) Christ himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Col. 1:18)

2) For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. (Col. 1:19)

3) And through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. (Col 1:20)

4) God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. (Eph. 1:20-21)

5)  For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12)

6) When I saw [the one like the Son of Man], I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive for ever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. (Rev. 1:17-18)

7)  Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, ‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honour and glory and might for ever and ever!’ (Rev. 5:13)

8) After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ (Rev. 7:9)

9) Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. (Rev. 1:7)

10) ‘See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’ (Rev. 22:12)

 

Lord our God, in your goodness
you have made your Son
the gateway to salvation and life;
grant that, as we follow the example
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
we may remain faithful in the love of Christ
and so pass safely through the gate
of your city in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Mary, Gate of Heaven)