The Holy Rosary

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Pray the Rosary Every Day

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THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES



           The Glorious mysteries of the Rosary are contemplated on Wednesdays and Sundays from Easter to Advent and between Advent and Lent. In order, the mysteries are the Resurrection,the Ascension, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the bodily Assumption of Mary, and the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven.

           Let us look at each mystery, it's origin, and what we can learn from it. In each case the mystery will be stated, the related Scripture quoted, and some suggestions made on what we can contemplate.



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The Resurrection


           The Christian faith is different from all others. All major faiths claim a leader or prophet but only Christians can say our prophet was raised from the dead! We point to no spot where our founders bones are believed to be. If we could do so our faith would be groundless.


Then the angel said to the women in reply, "I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Matt 28: 5-6 NAB


           Our Lord had told his disciples he would be killed and rise on the third day. (Matt 16: 21) They could not understand this until it actually happened.

Faith
In being raised from the dead Jesus proved to us that he is God. We can have confidence in his Oneness with the Father.

Hope
As Jesus was raised, we shall also be raised at his glorious return. We hope for a day when we see Jesus face to face and are reunited with those we love.

Victory
Despite our trials faith tells us we will be victorious with Christ!



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The Ascension


           Jesus walked among us for a short time after his resurrection but then returned to his Father.



Then he led them as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven.

Luke 24: 50-51 NAB


           Our Lord is in Heaven where he hears our prayers. One day he will return and we will also rise!

Hope
One day we will be with God. Spiritually we will be with him when we die. When Jesus returns we will rise in our glorified bodies. This is a blessed hope!

Awe
We can be amazed at the God we serve! His followers saw God's Son after his resurrection and then saw him rise into Heaven.

Faith
Because Jesus went back to his father he is there preparing a place for us. While we go through the trials of life does our faith in a heavenly hope uphold us?

Anticipation
This same Jesus who rose said he would be returning. Christians throughout the ages have lived with the anticipation of his glorious return.



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The Descent of the Holy Spirit


           Jesus told his followers he would be sending them the helper, the comforter, the Paraclete. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon them. The Church was born on this day when hundreds were added to the ranks of believers.



When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Acts 2:1-4 NAB


           The Holy Spirit comes to indwell believers today. We should always be sensitive to the Spirit's leading in our lives.

Confidence
The Holy Spirit helps and guides us. We can be confident that God's Spirit will show us the way.

Faith
The Holy Spirit indwells us and helps our faith. Do we trust the Spirit for this?

Comfort
God has not left us alone. By the indwelling Spirit God is always with us.



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The Assumption of Mary


           One day, when Christ returns, we will all rise and we will live with God forever. Mary is already enjoying this blessed experience. Some believe she died and was raised and others believe she did not die. Whatever the case, God has rewarded the mother of his Son with the right to be with her Son in Heaven.


"The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians."

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 966


           We must be careful not to confuse Mary's status in Heaven with that of her son. Jesus is God and exists as a part of the Trinity. Mary is the first mortal to be granted the status we will all have after the return of the Lord. She is in Heaven as a risen being.

Holiness
It was Mary's holiness that allowed her to have such a place with Jesus in glory. We should always be seeking holiness so that on the last day we will be with our Lord.

Devotion
We can be devoted to our spiritual mother who is with her son and intercedes for us.



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The Coronation of Mary


           Mary, by being the mother of Jesus, is considered by the Church to be the Queen of Heaven. Pope Pius XII's encyclical, "Ad Caeli Reginam" declared that May 31 would be the Feast of Mary Queen of Heaven.


A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

Rev 12: 1 NAB


           The above verse has more than one meaning. The woman represents both Israel and the Church. In addition we see Mary here.

Trust
We can trust that Mary is close to her Son and will take our petitions to Him.

Faith
Our faith is in a God who loves his creatures so much he is willing to reward one of them for helping him.

Hope
We hope for a future where we are in Heaven with God and all his creatures including our spiritual mother, Mary.



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Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful Mysteries

Sorrowful Mysteries

Luminous Mysteries



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That They May Be One

The Rosary

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last updated 1/15/08