The Rosary How to Pray the Rosary The Sorrowful Mysteries (Scripturally Based)

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Scripturally Based

The Sorrowful Mysteries (Scripturally Based)

Illustrations and suggested points of reflection from our booklet Praying the Rosary Without Distractions, available in our on-line store.

Also available in our store: the booklet Scripturally Based Rosary, ideal for individual study and prayer.

Numbers other than the 10 Hail Marys refer to the numbers pointing to the beads in the above illustration.

(Numbers other than the 10 Hail Marys refer to the numbers pointing to the beads in the above illustration.)

1) Make the Sign of the Cross saying “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”, and say the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God, the Father almighty creator of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.”

2) Say the Our Father: “Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”

3) Say three Hail Marys for Faith, Hope, and Charity: “Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, Now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” – 3 times.

4) Say the Glory Be: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”

The First Sorrowful Mystery – The Agony of JESUS

5) Announce “The First Sorrowful Mystery – The Agony of JESUS” and then say the Our Father.

6) Say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery.

(Sorrow for Sin)

  1. Jesus and His Apostles go to Gethsemane to pray. Mt. 26:36
  2. With Peter, James and John, He enters the olive grove. Mt. 26:37
  3. “My soul is sorrowful unto death.” Mt. 26:38
  4. “Father, if it be Thy will, let this cup pass from Me.” Mt. 26:39
  5. “Yet, not My will, but Thine be done.” Mt. 26:39
  6. “Could you not watch one hour with Me?” Mt. 26:40
  7. “Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation.” Mt. 26:41
  8. Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. Mt. 26:48
  9. “Having seized Jesus, they led Him away to the high priest’s house.” Lk. 22:54
  10. His disciples abandon Him. Mt. 26:56

7) Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Oh My Jesus
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

The Second Sorrowful Mystery – JESUS is Scourged

8) Announce “The Second Sorrowful Mystery – JESUS is Scourged” and then say the Our Father.

Say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery.

(Purity)

  1. Before the high priest Annas, one of the guards strikes Jesus in the face. Jn. 18:22
  2. Annas sends Jesus, bound, to the high priest Caiphas. Jn. 18:24
  3. They sought false witnesses against Jesus that they might put Him to death. Mt. 26:59
  4. Peter denies three times that he is a disciple of Jesus. Jn. 18:17,25,27
  5. Jesus is brought before Pilate, for only he can issue a death sentence. Jn. 18:31
  6. Pilate can find no guilt in Jesus. Jn. 18:39
  7. To appease the Jews, Pilate has Jesus scourged. Jn. 19:1
  8. “It was our infirmities that He bore, our sufferings that He endured.” Is. 53:4
  9. “He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins.” Is. 53:5
  10. “By His stripes we were healed.” Is. 53:5

Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Oh My Jesus
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

The Third Sorrowful Mystery – Jesus is Crowned

Announce “The Third Sorrowful Mystery – Jesus is Crowned” and then say the Our Father.

Say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery.

(Courage)

  1. Jesus answers Pilate that He is a king, but His kingdom is not of this world. Jn. 18:36
  2. In mockery the soldiers place a crown of thorns on His head. Mt. 27:29
  3. They put a reed in His right hand, a symbol of authority. Mt. 27:29
  4. They kneel before Him in derision: “Hail, King of the Jews.” Mt. 27:29
  5. They spit on Him and taking the reed, strike Him on the head. Mt. 27:30
  6. Pilate presents Jesus to the crowd and says “Behold the Man.” Jn. 19:5
  7. The crowd shouts: “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Jn. 19:6
  8. Pilate asks: “Shall I crucify your King?” Jn. 19:15
  9. They respond: “We have no king but Caesar.” Jn. 19:15
  10. “Though He was harshly treated, He submitted, and opened not His mouth.” Is. 53:7

Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Oh My Jesus
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery – Jesus Carries His Cross

Announce “The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery – Jesus Carries His Cross” and then say the Our Father.

Say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery.

(Patience)

  1. Jesus carries His Cross to Calvary. Jn. 19:17
  2. “He who does not carry his cross and follow Me, cannot be My disciple.” Lk. 14:27
  3. “Take My yoke upon you… your souls will find rest.” Mt. 11:29
  4. “My yoke is easy, and My burden light.” Mt. 11:30
  5. “He who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Mt. 10:39
  6. What we suffer now can never compare to the glory that awaits us. Rom. 8:18
  7. Simon the Cyrenean helps Jesus carry the Cross to Calvary. Lk. 23:26
  8. “Weep not for Me, but for your children.” Lk. 23: 28
  9. “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Christ.” Gal. 6:14
  10. The worldly person is an “enemy of the Cross of Christ.” Phil. 3:18

Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Oh My Jesus
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery – Jesus Dies on the Cross

Announce “The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery – Jesus Dies on the Cross” and then say the Our Father.

Say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery.

(Perseverance)

  1. Jesus is nailed to the Cross. Lk. 23:33
  2. He prays: “Father, forgive them…” Lk. 23:34
  3. Jesus says to the repentant thief: “This day you will be with Me in paradise.” Lk. 23:43
  4. Looking down at Mary His Mother, He says: “Woman, there is your son.” Jn. 19:26
  5. Looking at the beloved disciple, He says: “There is your Mother.” Jn. 19:27
  6. Jesus endures the terrible torture of the Cross for three hours. Mt. 27:45
  7. Nature itself seemed in mourning, for darkness covered the earth. Mt. 27:45
  8. “There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jn. 15:13
  9. Having completed His redeeming mission, Jesus cried out: “It is finished.” Jn. 19:30
  10. “Father, into Your hands, I commend My spirit.” Lk. 23:46

Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Oh My Jesus
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

Closing Prayers

Hail Holy Queen
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 vale 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. Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

Final Prayer
Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of 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.

Make the Sign of the Cross.

HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY Glorious Mysteries

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