The Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary reflect on the coming of Jesus: His conception, birth, and early life with Mary and Joseph.
Prayed on: Monday and Saturday, and traditionally on the Sundays of Advent and Christmas.
How to Pray Each Mystery
- Announce the mystery (for example, "The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation").
- Pray one Our Father.
- Pray ten Hail Marys while meditating on the mystery.
- Pray one Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
New to the Holy Rosary? Start with How to Pray the Holy Rosary.
The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
"Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word." (Luke 1:38)
The angel Gabriel is sent to Mary, a young woman in Nazareth, and tells her she will conceive and bear the Son of God. Mary does not fully understand, but she trusts. Her "yes" opens the door to our salvation.
Fruit of the mystery: Humility
The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
"Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." (Luke 1:42)
Carrying Jesus within her, Mary hurries to help her elderly cousin Elizabeth, who is also expecting a child. At Mary's greeting, the infant John leaps for joy, and Mary sings her great song of praise, the Magnificat.
Fruit of the mystery: Love of neighbor
The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
"For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David." (Luke 2:11)
The Son of God is born in a stable in Bethlehem and laid in a manger, because there was no room at the inn. The first to hear the news are poor shepherds. God enters the world in poverty and humility.
Fruit of the mystery: Poverty of spirit
The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation
"Because my eyes have seen thy salvation." (Luke 2:30)
Faithful to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to God. The holy old man Simeon takes Jesus in his arms, recognizes Him as the Savior, and tells Mary that a sword will pierce her soul.
Fruit of the mystery: Obedience
The Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
"Did you not know, that I must be about my father's business?" (Luke 2:49)
When Jesus is twelve, He stays behind in Jerusalem after the Passover. For three days, Mary and Joseph search for Him in sorrow, until they find Him in the Temple, listening to the teachers and asking them questions.
Fruit of the mystery: Joy in finding Jesus
After the Fifth Mystery
Close the Holy Rosary with the Hail Holy Queen, the Holy Rosary Closing Prayer, and the Sign of the Cross.
The Other Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
- Sorrowful Mysteries: Tuesday and Friday
- Glorious Mysteries: Wednesday and Sunday
- Luminous Mysteries: Thursday