Rosary
Mysteries of the Rosary
The twenty mysteries, in order
Joyful Mysteries
Prayed on Monday and Saturday.
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation
- The Finding in the Temple
Sorrowful Mysteries
Prayed on Tuesday and Friday.
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning with Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion
Glorious Mysteries
Prayed on Wednesday and Sunday.
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
- The Assumption
- The Coronation of Mary
Luminous Mysteries
Prayed on Thursday.
- The Baptism in the Jordan
- The Wedding at Cana
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom
- The Transfiguration
- The Institution of the Eucharist
The mysteries of the Rosary are twenty scenes from the Gospel in four sets of five. The table names the usual set for each day. You may always choose another.
Which mysteries on which day?
| Day | Set of five |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Glorious |
| Monday | Joyful |
| Tuesday | Sorrowful |
| Wednesday | Glorious |
| Thursday | Luminous |
| FridayToday | Sorrowful |
| Saturday | Joyful |
This is the common weekday custom. You may always choose another set. On Sunday in Ordinary Time many pray the Glorious Mysteries; some pray the Joyful in Advent and Christmas, and the Sorrowful in Lent.
A note on each set
Joyful Mysteries
The hidden life of Jesus, from the angel’s word to the finding in the Temple. Read the five joyful mysteries.
Sorrowful Mysteries
The Passion, from the garden to the cross. Read the five sorrowful mysteries.
Glorious Mysteries
The victory of Christ and the hope of our rising. Read the five glorious mysteries.
Luminous Mysteries
The public life of Jesus, from the Jordan to the Upper Room. Read the five luminous mysteries.
The Church did not invent four sets to fill a week. She gathered the Gospel into a rhythm the poor could carry: five scenes, ten Hail Marys, a day of the week. The Joyful mysteries stay with the hidden life — the yes, the visit, the manger, the temple. The Sorrowful walk the Passion without hurry. The Glorious proclaim that death is not the last word. The Luminous, given later, light the public ministry so Thursday is not an empty middle of the week.
A day assignment is a kindness, not a law. Monday and Saturday return to Nazareth. Tuesday and Friday stay near the cross. Wednesday and Sunday look toward the empty tomb and the crown. Thursday listens at the Jordan, at Cana, on the mountain, in the Upper Room. If your heart is already in one of those rooms, pray that set. If you do not know where to begin, the table is enough.
We list all twenty here so you can find a name you already love, or one you have never prayed. Then begin. The Guided Rosary on this site will hold the beads; the mysteries hold Christ.
Common questions
- What are the 20 mysteries of the Rosary?
- They are twenty scenes from the Gospel, in order, in four sets of five: Joyful on Monday and Saturday, Sorrowful on Tuesday and Friday, Glorious on Wednesday and Sunday, and Luminous on Thursday. All twenty names are listed on this page.
- Which mysteries of the Rosary are prayed today?
- See the weekday table. Today’s row is marked. You may pray another set if you wish.