MEDITATIONS ON THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY

“The Rosary is one of the traditional paths of Christian prayer directed to the contemplation of Christ’s face…

“After the announcement of the mystery and the proclamation of the word, it is fitting to pause and focus one’s attention for a suitable period of time on the mysteries concerned, before moving into vocal prayer. A discovery of the importance of silence is one of the secrets of practicing contemplation and meditation. One drawback of a society dominated by technology and the mass media is the fact that silence becomes increasingly difficult to achieve. Just as moments of silence are recommended in the Liturgy, so too in the recitation of the Rosary it is fitting to pause briefly after listening to the word of God, while the mind focuses on the content of a particular mystery (John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariæ, October 16, 2002, nos. 18. 31).”

The meditations that follow are from Holy Rosary, written in 1931 by St. Josemaria Escriva. A meditation on the Luminous Mysteries did not appear in the Holy Rosary, but throughout his life St. Josemaria lovingly contemplated and preached on these scenes, just as he did with every chapter of the Gospels. Therefore, we have included here some excerpts from among his writings that make reference to the Luminous Mysteries to help readers meditate on the complete Rosary.

JOYFUL MYSTERIES

1. THE ANNOUNCIATION

Don’t forget, my friend, that we are children. The Lady of the sweet name, Mary, is absorbed in prayer.

You, in that house, can be whatever you wish: a friend, a servant, an onlooker, a neighbor…. For the moment I don’t dare to be anything. I hide behind you, and, full of awe, I watch what’s happening.

The Archangel delivers his message…. Quomodo fiet istud, quoniam virum non cognosco? “But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?” (Lk 1: 34). Our mother’s voice reminds me – by contrast – of all the impurities of men, … mine too.

The first decade is about to end…. I still have time to tell God, before anyone else does, “Jesus, I love you.”

2. THE VISITATION

By now, my little friend, you have no doubt learned to manage on your own. Joyfully keep Joseph and Mary company … and you will hear the traditions of the House of David. You will hear about Elizabeth and Zechariah, you will be moved by Joseph’s pure love, and your heart will pound whenever they mention the Child who will be born in Bethlehem.

We walk in haste towards the mountains to a town of the tribe of Judah (Lk 1: 39). We arrive. It is the house where John the Baptist is to be born. Elizabeth gratefully hails the mother of her Redeemer: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord?” (Lk 1: 42-43).

The unborn Baptist quivers… (Lk 1: 41), Mary’s humility pours forth in the Magnificat…. And you and I, who are proud – who were proud – promise to be humble.

3. THE NATIVITY

Caesar Augustus has issued a decree for a census to be taken of the whole world. For this purpose, everyone must go to the city of his ancestors. And, since Joseph belongs to the house and line of David, he goes with the Virgin Mary from Nazareth to the town of David, called Bethlehem, in Judea (Lk 2: 1-5).

And in Bethlehem is born our God: Jesus Christ! There is no room in the inn; he is born in a stable. And his mother wraps him in swaddling clothes and lays him in a manger (Lk 2: 7).

Cold. Poverty…. I am Joseph’s little servant. How good Joseph is! He treats me like a son. He even forgives me if I take the Child in my arms and spend hour saying sweet and loving things to him. And I kiss him – you kiss him, too! – and I rock him in my arms, and I sing to him and call him King. Love, my God, my Only-one, my All…. How beautiful is the Child… and how short the decade!

4. THE PRESENTATION

When the time has come for the mother’s purification, in accordance with the Law of Moses, the Child must be taken to Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord (Lk 2: 22).

And this time it will be you, my friend, who carries the cage with the doves (Lk 2: 24).

Just think: She – Mary Immaculate! – submits to the Law as if she were defiled. Through this example, foolish child, won’t you learn to fulfill the holy law of God regardless of any personal sacrifice?

Purification! You and I certainly do need purification.

Atonement and, more than atonement, love. Love as a searing iron to cauterize our soul’s uncleanness, and as a fire to kindle with divine flames the wretchedness of our hearts.

An upright and devout man has come to the Temple, led by the Holy Spirit (it has been revealed to him that he would not die until he had set eyes on the Christ). He takes the Messiah into his arms and says: “Now, my Lord, you can let your servant go from this world in peace, just as you promised, because my eyes have seen the Savior” (Lk 2: 25-30).

5. THE FINDING OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

Where is Jesus? The Child, my Lady! Where is he?

Mary is crying. In vain you and I have run from group to group, from caravan to caravan: no one has seen him. Joseph, after fruitless attempts to keep from crying, cries too…. And you…. And I.

Being a rough little fellow, I cry my eyes out and wail to heaven and earth,… to make up for the times when I lost him through my own fault and did not cry.

Jesus: may I never lose you again…. Then you and I are united in misfortune and grief, as we were united in sin. And, from the depths of our being come sighs of heartfelt sorrow and burning phrases, which the pen cannot and should not record.

And, as we are consoled by the joy of finding Jesus – three days he was gone! – debating with the teachers of Israel (Lk 2: 46), you and I will be left deeply impressed by the duty to leave our home and family to serve our heavenly Father.

LUMINOUS MYSTERY

1.BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him … and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 3: 13, 17).

In Baptism, our Father God has taken possession of our lives. He has made us sharers in Christ’s life and sent us the Holy Spirit.

The strength and the power of God light up the face of the earth.

We will set the world ablaze, with the flames of the fire that you came to enkindle on earth! And the light of your truth, our Jesus, will enlighten men’s minds in an endless day.

I can hear you crying out, my King, in your strong and ardent voice: ignem veni mittere in terram, et quid volo misi ut accendatur? I have come to bring fire to the earth, and would that it were already enkindled! And I answer, with my entire being, with all my senses and faculties: ecce ego: quia vocasti me! Here I am, because you have called me!

God has placed an indelible mark on your soul through Baptism: you are a child of God.

Child, are you not aflame with the desire to bring all men to love Him?

2. WEDDING FEAST AT CANA

Our Lady was a guest at one of those noisy country weddings attended by people from many different villages. Mary was the only one who noticed the wine was running out. Don’t these scenes from Christ’s life seem familiar to us? The greatness of God lives at the level of ordinary things. It is natural for a woman, a homemaker, to notice an oversight, to look after the little things that make life pleasant. And that is how Mary acted. Do whatever he tells you.

Implete hydrias (Jn 2: 7), fill the jars. And the miracle takes place. Everything is so simple and ordinary. The servants carry out their job. The water is easy to find. And this is the first manifestation of our Lord’s divinity. What is commonplace becomes something extraordinary, something supernatural, when we have the good will to heed what God is asking of us. Lord, I want to abandon all my concerns into your generous hands. Our Mother – your Mother – will have let you hear those words, now as in Cana: “They have no wine! …”

If our faith is weak, we should turn to Mary. Because of the miracle at the marriage feast at Cana, which Christ performed at his Mother’s request, his disciples learned to believe in him (Jn 2: 11) attend to our needs and show himself to us, so that we can cry out, “You are the Son of God.”

Grant me, dear Jesus, the faith I truly desire. My Mother, sweet Lady, Mary most holy, make me really believe.

3. PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel (Mk 1: 15).

And all the crowd gathered about him, and he taught them (Mk 2: 13).

Jesus sees the boats on the shore and gets into one of them. How naturally Jesus steps into the boat of each and everyone of us!

When you seek to draw close to our Lord, remember that he is always very close to you, that he is in you: regnum Dei intra vos est (Lk 17: 21). The kingdom of God is within you. You will find him in your heart.

Christ should reign first and foremost in our soul. But in order for Christ to reign in me, I need his abundant grace. Only in that way can my every heartbeat and breath, my least intense look, my most ordinary word, my most basic feeling be transformed into a hosanna to Christ my king.

Duc in altum. Put out into deep water! Throw aside the pessimism that makes a coward of you. Et laxate retia vestra in capturam. And pay out your nets for a catch!

We have to place our trust in our Lord’s words: get into the boat, take the oars, hoist the sails and lauch out into this sea of the world which Christ gives us as an inheritance.

Et regni ejus non erit finis. His kingdom will have no end.

Doesn’t it fill you with joy to work for such a kingdom?

4. TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light (Mt 17:2).

Jesus, we want to see you, to speak to you! We want to contemplate you, immersed in the immensity of your beauty, in a contemplation that will never cease! It must be wonderful to see you, Jesus! It must be wounded by your love!

And a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Mt 17:5).

Lord, we are ready to heed whatever you want to tell us. Speak to us: we are attentive to your voice. May your words enkindle our will so that we launch out fervently to obey you.

Vultum tuum, Domine, requiram (Ps 26:8). Lord, I long to see your face. I like to close my eyes and think that, when God wills, the moment will come when I will be able to see him, not as in a mirror dimly, but … face to face (1 Cor 13:12). Yes, my heart yearns for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God? (Ps 41: 3).

5. INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST

Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end (Jn 13:1).

When our Lord instituted the Eucharist during the Last Supper, night had already fallen. The world had fallen into darkness, for the old rites, the old sign of God’s infinite mercy to mankind, were going to be brought to fulfillment. The way was opening to a new dawn – the new Passover. The Eucharist was instituted during that night, preparing in advance for the morning of the resurrection.

Jesus has remained in the Eucharist for love … for you.

He has remained, knowing how men would treat him … and how you would treat him.

He has remained so that you could eat him, and visit him and tell him your concerns; and so that, by your prayer beside the tabernacle and by receiving him sacramentally, you could fall more in love each day, and help other souls, many souls, to follow the same path.

Good child: see how lovers on earth kiss the flowers, the letters, the mementos of those they love…

Then you, how could you ever forget that you have him always at your side – yes, Him? How could you forget… that you can eat him?

Lord, may I never again flutter along close to the ground. Illuminated by the rays of the divine Sun – Christ – in the Eucharist, may my flight never be interrupted until I find repose in your Heart.

SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

1. THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN

“Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And Peter fell asleep. And the other apostles. And you, little friend, fell asleep… and I too was another sleepy-headed Peter.

Jesus, alone and sad, suffers and soaks the earth with his blood.

Kneeling on the hard ground, he perseveres in prayer… He weeps for you… and for me. The weight of the sins of men overwhelms him. Pater, si vis, transfer calicem istum a me: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me… Yet not my will, but yours be done” (Lk 22: 42).

An Angel from heaven comforts him. Jesus is in agony. He continues prolixius, praying more intensely… He comes over to us and finds us asleep: “Rise,” he says again, “and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Lk 22:46).

Judas the traitor: a kiss. Peter’s sword gleams in the night. Jesus speaks: “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me?” (Mk 14: 48).

We are cowards: we follow him from afar – but awake and praying. Prayer… Prayer…

2. THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR

Pilate speaks: “It is your custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. Whom shall I set free: Barabbas – a thief jailed with others for murder – or Jesus?” (Mt 27:17).

The crowd, spurred on by their rulers, cry: “Put this man to death and release Barabbas” (Lk 23: 18).

Pilate speaks again: “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Mt 27:22). Crucifige eum: “Crucify him!” (Mk 15: 14).

Pilate, for the third time, says to them: “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no crime deserving death” (Lk 23:22).

The clamor of the mob grows louder: “Crucify him; Crucify him!” (Mk 15:14).

And Pilate, wanting to please the crowd, releases Barabbas to them and orders Jesus to be scourged.

Bound to the pillar. Covered with wounds.

The blows of the lash sound upon his torn flesh, upon his undefiled flesh, which suffers for your sinful flesh. More blows. More fury. Still more… It is a last extreme of human cruelty.

Finally, exhausted, they untie Jesus. And the body of Christ yields to pain and falls limp, broken and half-dead.

You and I cannot speak. Words are not needed. Look at him, look at him… slowly. After this… can you ever fear penance?

3. THE CROWNING WITH THORNS

Our king’s eagerness for suffering has been fully satisfied! They lead my Lord to the courtyard of the palace, and there call together the whole troop (Mk 15: 16). The brutal soldiers strip his most pure body. They drape a dirty purple rag about Jesus. They place a reed, as a scepter, in his right hand.

The crown of thorns, driven in by blows, makes him a mock king… Ave, Rex Iudæorum: “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Mk 15: 18). And with their blows they wound his head. And they strike him… and spit on him.

Crowned with thorns and clothed in rags of purple, Jesus is shown to the Jewish crowd. Ecce Homo: “Here is the man!” And again the chief priests and their attendants raise the cry, saying, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Jn 19: 5-6).

You and I… haven’t we crowned him anew with thorns and struck him and spat on him?

Never again, Jesus, never again… And a firm and practical resolution marks the end of these ten Hail Marys.

4. THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS

Carrying his cross, Jesus goes out of the city to the place of the skull – called Golgotha in Hebrew (Jn 19:17). And they lay hold of a certain Simon from Cyrene, who is coming in from the country; and they make him take the cross and carry it behind Jesus (Lk 23:26). The prophecy of Isaiah (53:12) is being fulfilled – cum sceleratis reputatus est (“he was counted among the wicked”) – for two others are being led out with him to be put to death (Lk 23:32).

If anyone would follow me… Little friend, we are sad, living the Passion of our Lord Jesus. See how lovingly he embraces the cross. Learn from him. Jesus carries the cross for you: You… carry it for Jesus.

But don’t drag the cross… Carry it squarely on your shoulder, because your cross, if you carry it so, will not be just any cross… It will be the holy cross. Don’t carry your cross with resignation: resignation is not a generous word. Love the cross. When you really love it, your cross will be… a Cross without a cross.

And, surely, you will find Mary on the way, just as Jesus did.

5. THE CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF OUR LORD

For Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, the throne of triumph is ready. You and I do not see him writhe on being nailed. Suffering all that can be suffered, he spreads his arms in the gesture of an Eternal Priest… The soldiers take his holy garments and divide them into four parts. In order not to tear the tunic, they cast lots to decide whose it shall be. And so, once more, the words of Scripture are fulfilled: “They parted my garments among them, and for my clothes they cast lots” (Jn 19:23-24).

Now he is on high… And close to her Son, at the foot of the cross, stand Mary… and Mary, the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. And John, the disciple Jesus loved. Ecce Mater tua: “Behold your mother”: he gives us his mother to be ours.

Earlier, they had offered him wine mixed with vinegar, and, when he had tasted it, he would not drink it (Mk 27:34).

Now, he thirsts… for love, for souls. Consummatum est: “It is accomplished” (Jn 19:30). Foolish child, look: All this… he has suffered it all for you… And for me. Can you keep from crying?

GLORIOUS MYSTERIES

1. THE RESURRECTION

When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala and Mary, the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices with which to anoint the dead body of Jesus. It is very early on the following day; just as the sun is rising, they come to the tomb (Mk 16: 1-2). And upon entering it they are dismayed, for they cannot find the body of our Lord. A youth, clothed in white, says to them: “Do not be afraid. I know that you seek Jesus of Nazareth. Non est hic, surrexit enim sicut dixit: He is not here; for he has risen, as he said” (Mt 28:5). He has risen! Jesus has risen: he is not in the tomb. Life has overcome death.

He appears to his most holy mother. He appears to Mary Magdalene, who is carried away by love. And to Peter and the rest of the apostles. And to you and me, who are his disciples and more in love than Mary Magdalene. The things we say to him! May we never die through sin; may our spiritual resurrection be eternal. And, before the decade is over, you kiss the wounds in his feet,… and I, more daring – because I am more a child – place my lips upon his open side.

2. THE ASCENSION

Now the Master is teaching his disciples: he has opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and he appoints them witnesses of his life and his miracles, of his passion and death, and of the glory of his resurrection (Lk 24:45, 48). Then he brings them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany and blesses them. And as he does so, he withdraws from them and is carried up to heaven (Lk 24:51) until a cloud takes him out of sight (Acts 1:9).

Jesus has gone to the Father. Two angels in white approach us and say, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up to heaven?” (Acts 1:11). Peter and the others go back to Jerusalem cum gaudio magno: “with great joy” (Lk 24:52). It is fitting that the sacred humanity of Christ should receive the homage, praise, and adoration of all the hierarchies of the angels and of all the legions of the blessed in heaven. But you and I feel like orphans: we are sad, and we go to Mary for consolation.

3. THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Our Lord has said: “I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, another Consoler, to be with you for ever” (Jn 14:16). The disciples are gathered together in one room, when suddenly they hear what sounds like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which fills the entire house where they are assembled. At the same time something appears that seems like tongues of fire; these separate and come to rest on the head of each of them (Acts 2:1-3).

The apostles are so filled with the Holy Spirit that they seem to be drunk (Acts 2:13).

Then Peter stands up with the Eleven and addresses the people in a loud voice. We, people from a hundred nations, hear him. Each of us hears him in his own language – you and I in ours. He speaks to us of Christ Jesus and of the Holy Spirit and of the Father.

Peter is neither stoned nor thrown into prison. Of those who have heard him, three thousand are converted and baptized.

You and I, after helping the apostles administer Baptism, bless God the Father for his Son Jesus, and we, too, feel drunk with the Holy Spirit.

4. THE ASSUMPTION

Assumpta est Maria in cælum: gaudent angeli. God has taken Mary, body and soul, to heaven; and the angels rejoice!

So sings the Church. And so, with that same cry of joy, we begin our contemplation in this decade of Holy Rosary.

The Mother of God has fallen asleep. Around her bed are the twelve apostles (Matthias in the place of Judas).

And we also, through a grace respected by all, are at her side.

But Jesus wants to have his mother, body and soul, in heaven. And the heavenly court, arrayed in all its splendor, greets our Lady. You and I – children, after all – take the train of Mary’s magnificent blue cloak, and thus we are able to watch the marvelous scene.

The most blessed Trinity receives and showers honors on the Daughter, Mother and Spouse of God…. And so great is the Lady’s majesty that the angels exclaim: Who is she?

5. THE CORONATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

You are completely fair, and without blemish. You are a garden enclosed, my sister, my Bride, an enclosed garden, a sealed fountain. “Veni, coronaberis”: Come, you shall be crowned” (Sg 4: 7, 12, 8).

If you and I have been able, we too would have made her Queen and Lady of all creation.

“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman with a crown of twelve stars upon her head, adorned with the sun and the moon at her feet” (Rev 12: 1). Mary, Virgin without stain, has made up for the fall of Eve; she has crushed the head of hell’s serpent with her immaculate heel. Daughter of God, Mother of God, Spouse of God.

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit crown her as the rightful Empress of the Universe.

And the angels pay her homage as her subjects… and the patriarchs and prophets and apostles… and the martyrs and confessors and virgins and all the saints… and all sinners, including you and me.