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What are the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary?

The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary is a series of meditations on significant events from Christ’s ministry: 

  • The Baptism of the Lord
  • The Wedding in Cana
  • The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
  • The Transfiguration
  • The Institution of the Eucharist

Below, you’ll find Scripture passages for each of these mysteries. If you don’t know yet how to pray the Rosary—or if you could use a quick refresher—you’ll find a brief guide for praying the Rosary here.

 

Which days are the Luminous Mysteries prayed?

A different set of mysteries is prayed each day of the week, following this schedule: 

Monday Rosary: Joyful Mysteries

Tuesday Rosary: Sorrowful Mysteries

Wednesday Rosary: Glorious Mysteries

Thursday Rosary: Luminous Mysteries

Friday Rosary: Sorrowful Mysteries

Saturday Rosary: Joyful Mysteries

Sunday Rosary: Glorious Mysteries 

The Luminous Mysteries are prayed on Thursdays, the day Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper.

 

Red rosary beads with a prayer card of Our Lady of Fatima

The History of the Luminous Mysteries

The Luminous Mysteries are a recent addition to the traditional fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary (5 each of Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries). In 2002, in his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope St. John Paul II gave us the five Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. These mysteries focus on the life and ministry of Jesus before his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

 

How to Pray the Rosary Every Day

The devotion of praying the Rosary daily came from the Marian apparitions at Fatima. These creative tips can help you make this prayer part of your day, even with a busy schedule.

  • Pray a single decade of the Rosary when you have a few spare minutes. 
  • Pray the Rosary while going for a walk or sitting in a waiting room.
  • Keep a set of Rosary beads in your purse, in your car, or on your desk.
  • Pray the Rosary on YouTube at home or on the go from your smart device. 

Remember, praying just a decade of the Rosary devoutly is far better than not praying at all! Start small, be consistent, and gradually build your habit of praying the Rosary every day.

 

Stained glass window at St. John’s Hoxton, photographed by John Salmon

Stained glass window at St. John’s Hoxton, photographed by John Salmon

The First Luminous Mystery of the Rosary: The Baptism of the Lord

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him…. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”

Matthew 3:13, 16–17

 

Wedding at Cana by Benvenuto Tisi, circa 1518

Wedding at Cana by Benvenuto Tisi, circa 1518

The Second Luminous Mystery of the Rosary: The Wedding in Cana

“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servers, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’”

John 2:1–5

 

Jesus Zealous for Souls stained glass window from Sorrowful Mother Shrine Chapel (detail)
Jesus Zealous for Souls, stained glass window from Sorrowful Mother Shrine Chapel in Bellevue, Ohio (detail)

The Third Luminous Mystery of the Rosary: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God

“After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: ‘This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’”

Mark 1:14–15

 

Transfiguration by Raphael, circa 1518–1520 (detail)

Transfiguration by Raphael, circa 1518–1520 (detail)

The Fourth Luminous Mystery of the Rosary: The Transfiguration

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.”

Matthew 17:1–2

 

The Last Supper by Juan de Juanes

The Last Supper by Juan de Juanes, circa 1560

The Fifth Luminous Mystery of the Rosary: The Institution of the Eucharist

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’”

Matthew 26:26

 

Pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary on YouTube, recorded at beautiful sacred locations from around the world. Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us!

All Scripture quotations in this article are taken from the New American Bible.