The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary is a series of meditations on significant events from Christ’s ministry:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
“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
“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 in Bellevue, Ohio (detail)
“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)
“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, circa 1560
“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.
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