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OVERVIEW

The Joyful Mysteries are marked by the joy radiating from the event of the Incarnation. To meditate upon the joyful mysteries is to enter into the ultimate causes and the deepest meaning of Christian joy. It is to focus on the realism of the mystery of the Incarnation and on the obscure foreshadowing of the mystery of the saving Passion. Mary leads us to discover the secret of Christian joy, reminding us that Christianity is, first and foremost, evangelization, “good news”, which has as its heart and its whole content the person of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, the one Savior of the world.

– Blessed Pope John Paul II

Recited on Mondays and Saturdays and may be said on Sundays during Advent and Christmas

DECADE 1

The Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said: “Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women”. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.And the angel said unto her:” Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest”… And Mary said:” Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word”. And the angel departed from her.

–Luke 1:26-38

Mary, with your “yes”, you have opened heaven’s ways. You have achieved the will of the Father. You will be blessed forever. Your intercession is heard in Heaven, because You have accepted God’s plan. Let us pray that we can say “yes” to the Father in every instance He asks it of us. Mary, help us to be humble and obedient to God’s will.


Bead-by-Bead

  • The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and asked her to be the mother of the Messiah.
  • She said yes. Mary had such faith! She always complied with the Father’s will.
  • She was filled with the Holy Spirit and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
  • There was such a bond between Jesus and Mary from the very moment of conception!
  • She felt His life grow within her womb. His Most Sacred Heart was formed in her womb through the Holy Spirit.
  • Jesus wants to be alive in our hearts. We should carry His life with great joy in our being.
  • The Spirit wants to be alive in our very being with the fire of His love.
  • We are children of God. Mary mothers us as she mothered Jesus
  • It is through Mary that we are led to intense love in His most precious Heart.
  • It is truly the love of these Two Hearts that will lead us to union with God.

DECADE 2

The Visitation of Mary to Saint Elizabeth

Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judea. And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost and she spake out with a loud voice, and said: “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb”. And Mary said: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.”

–Luke 1:39-49

Mary goes to visit Elizabeth: She carries God to Her cousin, for the love of Her brothers and neighbours. Lord help us to carry Christ to others, like Mary did. Let us ask Mary the gift of burning charity.


Bead-by-Bead

  • Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth
  • When she arrived, the child in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy at the presence of Mary with Jesus in her womb.
  • Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out, with a loud voice, the Magnificat.
  • “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.”
  • “Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid, from all generations they will call me blessed.”
  • God Who is mighty has done great things to us in His name.
  • Jesus is no less present in our hearts after Communion than He was in Mary’s womb.
  • Should we not jump up and cry out that we truly receive the one, true God in our hearts?
  • Are we open to the Holy Spirit to fill us with the love of the one, true God and Mary in our hearts?
  • It is through her pure and tender Heart that we will love God more closely.

DECADE 3

The Nativity of Jesus in Bethlehem

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

–Luke 2:6-12

Infant Jesus in the manger. Mary, Joseph and the shepherds adore Him. Let us also adore Christ, the Son of God, in the silence of our soul and from the depth of our heart. Let us ask Mary to make us love Jesus more, and also the gift of poverty of spirit.


Bead-by-Bead

  • Joseph was filled with joy to see the splendor of the night, but with sorrow to see Jesus born in such poverty.
  • Not a place for Jesus to lay His head–in a manger at birth, His head on a cross at His death–both bare wood.
  • He showed us the way, in total submission to the will of the Father. He loved us so much that He was born a human, God-made-man.
  • What the birth of this baby, the child Jesus, did to change the world for all time!
  • This is Jesus, the Son of God, come to free the world of its sins.
  • He came as a little baby. He was born of Mary in the little town of Bethlehem.
  • This is how it is with Jesus today: there is no blare of trumpets, no roll of drums. Jesus comes quietly at every Mass.
  • The only blare of trumpets and roll of drums are in our hearts.
  • If you are not aware of Christ truly present in the Eucharist, you miss the big event.
  • Jesus, the same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, comes to us in our hearts.

DECADE 4

The Presentation of Jesus to the Temple

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. …When the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said: “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation… A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother: “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

–Luke 2:22-35

We need to pay attention to the voice of God, to discern His call and accept the mission He gave us. After the Simeon prophecy, Mary takes into Her Heart the wound of sorrow, but in the silence she accepts the will of her Father.


Bead-by-Bead

  • Mary took Jesus to the temple to be presented to the Father.
  • Simeon told Mary of the future sufferings of Jesus and Mary.
  • Joseph, in his sorrow at hearing of the sufferings, was comforted by the joy that so many souls would be redeemed.
  • They returned to Galilee to the town of Nazareth and Jesus grew in wisdom and strength.
  • Mary, with such love, beheld her precious Son!
  • She gazed into His precious baby eyes.
  • Simeon predicted that her heart would be pierced with a sword.
  • Her heart would be pierced with a sword for, just as she held His baby body at birth, she would hold his lifeless body under the cross.
  • How well Mary would know the Heart of Jesus! She would ponder all the events of His life in her Heart.
  • It is through her most loving Heart that we grow in fervent love for His Heart.

DECADE 5

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him: “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing”. And he said unto them: “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

–Luke 2:41-51

Let us think of how many times we have been far from Jesus, who with so much love has died for us. Let us meditate that in the difficulties of life the only safety is finding Jesus and never again leaving his great love.


Bead-by-Bead

  • When Jesus was twelve years old, the Holy Family went to Jerusalem for Passover.
  • When it was over Mary and Joseph had traveled a day’s journey before they realized Jesus was not with them.
  • With sorrow in their hearts they returned to Jerusalem to find Him.
  • After searching for Him for three days, they found Him in the temple talking to the doctors.
  • The doctors were astounded at His wisdom.
  • He said He had to be about His Father’s business.
  • Jesus teaches us today through His word.
  • He went down and was subject to them.
  • Mary, if we ever lose Jesus, lead us back to His tender Heart.
  • Jesus, help us to love Mary more.