THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES

First Mystery

The Annunciation

(To obtain the Virtue of Humility)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how the angel Gabriel saluted our blessed Lady with the title, Full of Grace, and declared unto her the Incarnation of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Our Father, etc., once. Hail Mary, ten times. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer

O HOLY Mary, Queen of virgins, by the most high mystery of the Incarnation of thy beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, by which our salvation was so happily begun: obtain for us, by thy intercession, light to know this so great benefit which He hath bestowed upon us, vouchsafing in it to make Himself our Brother, and thee, His own most beloved Mother, our Mother also. Amen.

Second Mystery

The Visitation

(Charity)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how the Blessed Virgin Mary, understanding from the angel that her cousin St. Elizabeth had conceived, went with haste into the mountains of Judea to visit her, and remained with her three months.

Our Father, etc., as above.

Prayer

O HOLY Virgin, most spotless mirror of humility, by that exceeding charity which moved thee to visit thy holy cousin, St. Elizabeth, obtain for us by thy intercession, that our hearts may be visited by thy most holy Son, that being freed from all sin, we may praise Him and give Him thanks for ever. Amen.

Third Mystery

The Nativity

(Poverty of Spirit)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how the blessed Virgin Mary, when the time of her delivery was come, brought forth Our Redeemer, Christ Jesus, at midnight, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the inns of Bethlehem.

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer

O MOST pure Mother of God, by thy virginal and most joyful delivery, by which thou gavest unto the world thy only Son, Our Saviour; we beseech thee, obtain for us, by thy intercession, grace to lead so pure and holy a life in this world that we may worthily sing without ceasing, both day and night, the mercies of thy Son, and His benefits to us by thee. Amen.

Fourth Mystery

The Presentation

(Obedience)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how the Blessed Virgin Mary, on the day of her purification, presented the Child Jesus in the Temple, where holy Simeon, giving thanks to God, with great devotion received Him into his arms.

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer

O HOLY Virgin, most admirable mistress and pattern of obedience, who didst present in the Temple the Lord of the Temple, obtain for us, of thy beloved Son, that with holy Simeon and devout Anna we may praise and glorify Him forever. Amen.

The Fifth Mystery

The Finding in the Temple

(Zeal)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how the blessed Virgin Mary, having lost her beloved Son in Jerusalem, sought Him for the space of three days, and at length found Him in the Temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them, being of the age of twelve years.

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer

MOST Blessed Virgin, more than martyr in thy sufferings, and yet the comfort of such as are afflicted, by that unspeakable joy wherewith thy soul was filled in rinding thy beloved Son in the Temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them, obtain of Him for us so to seek Him and to find Him in the holy Catholic Church that we may never be separated from Him. Amen.

Salve Regina

HAIL, holy Queen! Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope; to thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears; turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

V. Pray for us, holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ,

Let us pray.

O merciful God, the prayer of Thy servants, that we who meet together in the society of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mother of God, may, through her intercession, by Thee be delivered from the dangers that continually hang over us. Amen.

O God, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and Resurrection, has purchased for us the reward of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating on these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the blessed Virgin Mary we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.