Tuesday and Friday Rosary: The Sorrowful Mysteries

What are the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary?

The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary are a series of meditations on the events surrounding Jesus’ Passion and Death, including:

The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

Below, you’ll find Scripture passages for each of these mysteries. For a quick refresher on how to pray the Rosary, read this guide.

Which days are the Sorrowful Mysteries prayed?

A different set of mysteries is prayed each day of the week:

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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

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The Sorrowful Mysteries are prayed on Fridays—the day we remember Jesus’ Passion and Death—as well as on Tuesdays.

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Ecce Homo by Wenceslas Cobergher, circa 1576–1634 — *Ecce Homo* by Wenceslas Cobergher, circa 1576–1634

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Why pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary?

There are many reasons to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries, including:

1. Growing in faith and holiness

2. Receiving special graces and Our Lady’s protection

3. Gaining deeper insight into the events surrounding Jesus’ Passion and Death

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The Sorrowful Mysteries are perfect to pray with throughout the Lenten season. However, it’s fitting to remember Our Lord’s Passion and Death anytime of year, especially on Fridays.

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Christ Carrying the Cross with the Virgin and Saint John by Luis de Morales, circa 1570 — *Christ Carrying the Cross with the Virgin and Saint John* by Luis de Morales, circa 1570

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Ways to Pray the Rosary Every Day

Since Our Lady’s apparitions at Fatima, praying the Rosary daily has become a popular devotion throughout the world. Here are some creative ways to make this prayer a part of your day, even with a busy schedule:

Pray single decades of the Rosary whenever you have a few minutes during the day.
Pray the Rosary while going for a walk or a jog.
Keep a set of Rosary beads in your purse or bag, in your car, and at your desk so you can pray on the go (or use your fingers instead of beads!).
Stream a Rosary video anytime that works for your schedule. If you need to, hit the pause button and resume your prayer later.

Don’t be daunted by the length of the Rosary—devoutly praying just a decade of the Rosary is better than halfheartedly rushing through the prayer (or not praying at all). Start small, be consistent, and gradually build your habit of praying the Rosary every day.

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The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane by Francesco Trevisani, 1740 — *The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane* by Francesco Trevisani, 1740

The First Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary: The Agony in the Garden

“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.’ He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.’”

Matthew 26:36–39

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Flagellation of Christ by Matthias Stom, circa 1640–1650 — *Flagellation of Christ* by Matthias Stom, circa 1640–1650

The Second Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary: The Scourging at the Pillar

“When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to it yourselves.’ And the whole people said in reply, ‘His blood be upon us and upon our children.’ Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.”

Matthew 27:24–26

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The Crowning with Thorns by Caravaggio, circa 1602/04 — *The Crowning with Thorns* by Caravaggio, circa 1602/04

The Third Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary: The Crowning with Thorns

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head.”

Matthew 27:27–30

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Christ on the Way to Calvary by Titian, circa 1560 — *Christ on the Way to Calvary* by Titian, circa 1560

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary: The Carrying of the Cross

“Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.”

John 19:16–17

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Crucifixion by Andrea del Castagno, circa 1471 — *Crucifixion* by Andrea del Castagno, circa 1471

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary: The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.’... It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’; and when he had said this he breathed his last.”

Luke 23:33–34, 44–46

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

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Pray Along with CatholicTV

To make the Rosary part of your prayer life, pray along with CatholicTV Monday through Saturday at 10am ET.

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