The Joyful Mysteries 1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) 2. The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56) 3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) 4. The Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:22-38) 5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) The Luminous Mysteries 1. The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17) 2. The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12) 3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom (Mark 1:14-15) 4. The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8) 5. The Institution of the Eucharist (Matthew 26:26-28) The Sorrowful Mysteries 1. The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-56) 2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26) 3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-31) 4. The Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:32) 5. The Crucifixion and Death (Matthew 27:33-56) The Glorious Mysteries 1. The Resurrection (Mark 16:1-8) 2. The Ascension (Luke 24:50-53) 3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13) 4. The Assumption of Mary (traditional) 5. The Coronation of Mary (traditional)
The Mysteries of the Rosary
Also known as The Rosary Mysteries ยท Joyful Sorrowful Glorious Luminous Mysteries
About this prayer
The Mysteries of the Rosary are a set of twenty scenes from the lives of Jesus and Mary on which Catholics meditate while praying the decades of the Rosary. They are divided into four groups of five. The Joyful Mysteries focus on the early life of Christ, from the Annunciation to the finding of Jesus in the Temple. The Sorrowful Mysteries focus on the Passion, from the Agony in the Garden to the Crucifixion. The Glorious Mysteries focus on the Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, and Mary's Assumption and Coronation. The Luminous Mysteries, added by Pope John Paul II in his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae (2002 AD), cover events in Christ's public ministry. The traditional recommendation is to pray the Joyful Mysteries on Monday and Saturday, the Sorrowful on Tuesday and Friday, the Glorious on Wednesday and Sunday, and the Luminous on Thursday.
When it's said
One set of five Mysteries is meditated on during each complete recitation of the Rosary. A brief announcement of each mystery is made before the decade, and the meditator holds the scene in mind while reciting the prayers. The assignment of mysteries to days of the week is a traditional recommendation, not a rule.
Notes on the text
The Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries have been part of the Rosary since the 15th century. The Luminous Mysteries were introduced by Pope John Paul II in 2002 AD and are sometimes called the Mysteries of Light. Each mystery is associated with a scriptural passage; those passages are noted in the text above. The Assumption and Coronation of Mary are not found in scripture and are based on Catholic tradition and defined dogma.
Traditional Catholic devotion. List of mysteries from standard Catholic practice; Luminous Mysteries from Pope John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 2002 AD. Public domain.
Last reviewed: May 2026 against primary source.