Veritas et Lux

The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary focus on the early life of Jesus and the events surrounding His Incarnation. Traditionally, these mysteries are prayed on Mondays and Saturdays. They invite reflection on the joy and anticipation surrounding the coming of the Messiah.

1st Mystery: The Annunciation

• The Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive a son, Jesus, and He will be Son of the Most High.
• It highlights Mary’s “yes” to God’s call, her fiat, which made it possible for the Incarnation.
• Think about the importance of Mary’s “yes”.
• The spiritual fruit of this mystery is Humility. We are invited to imitate Mary’s humility in accepting God’s will, even if it is difficult to understand. It encourages us to recognize our own nothingness before God and to be open to His grace.
• Luke 1:28-31 –> “And he came to her and said, “‘ Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you!’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.’”

2nd Mystery: The Visitation

• This mystery recalls Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant with John the Baptist.
• It celebrates the encounter between the two expectant mothers and the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah by John, who leaped in Elizabeth’s womb.
• Think about the significance of John leaping in his mother’s womb at the presence of Jesus, who is also in His mother’s womb.
• The spiritual fruit of this mystery is charity. We are invited to imitate Mary’s charity in reaching out to help others in need. It reminds us to be attentive of the needs of our neighbors and to offer them practical assistance and spiritual support.
• Luke 1:41-42 –> “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. 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!’”

3rd Mystery: The Nativity

• This mystery commemorates the birth of Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem.
• It highlights the humility and poverty of Jesus’ birth, as well as the joy and wonder of the angels and shepherds who came to adore Him.
• Think about the poverty of the situation. Jesus is born in an old barn stable, and there is no space for Him in the inn.
• The spiritual fruit of this mystery is poverty/detachment from the things of the world. It encourages to detach ourselves from material possessions and to focus on spiritual riches.
• Luke 2:7 –> “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.”

4th Mystery: The Presentation

• This mystery recalls Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem and to present Him to God, according to Jewish custom.
• Simeon recognizes Jesus as the Messiah.
• Simeon also foreshadows the sacrifice of Jesus for the salvation of humanity. He said that Jesus would be a “sign of contradiction” and that a sword would pierce Mary’s heart.
• Think about Simeon’s joy at seeing the Messiah, something he has waited for his entire life.
• The spiritual fruit of this mystery is obedience to God’s will/purification. We are called to imitate Mary and Joseph’s obedience to God’s law in presenting Jesus to the Temple. It reminds us to be obedient in all things and seek purification from sin.
• Luke 2:22-24 –>”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 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’”

5th Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

• This mystery commemorates the time when Jesus, at the age of twelve, was lost by Mary and Joseph during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. After three days of searching, they found Him in the Temple, sitting among teachers, listening and asking questions.
• It reveals Jesus’ growing awareness of His divine mission and His dedication to His Father’s will.
• Think about what Mary and Joseph must have been going through when they could not find Jesus. Then, think about the joy they feel when they find Him in the Temple.
• The spiritual fruit of this mystery is zeal for God’s glory/ true wisdom. It invites us to imitate Jesus’ zeal for His Father’s house and His desire to learn about God.
• Luke 2:46-47 –> “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.”

The Joyful Mysteries are a beautiful set of five events from Jesus’ early life. While praying through the decades, place yourself in the scene. Perhaps you want to place yourself in Mary’s shoes, or in Joseph’s shoes. Try and become one with the moment. Witness what is happening in each of these events, and try to understand the importance and significance of each scene.

Attached below is an apostolic letter from Pope John Paul II covering the Joyful Mysteries: