Rosary Thursday - The Luminous Mysteries - The Catholic Handbook (2024)

When praying the Rosary on Thursday the Catholic Church recommends praying the Luminous Mysteries.

The Luminous Mysteries are the most recent addition to the Rosary. Pope John Paul II in his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae created the fourth set of mysteries that we say on Thursdays. The Joyful Mysteries discuss Jesus as a child, Sorrowful Mysteries are about his crucifixion, and the Glorious Mysteries are about his resurrection. The Luminous Mysteries fill in the gap between the Joyful Mysteries and the Sorrowful Mysteries. There’s even a version of the rosary for the dead.

The Luminous Mysteries give us the opportunity to meditate on the life and ministry of Jesus. As you go through the Luminous Mysterious pray our lady’s intercession, so that we may live like Jesus.

Below are the five mysteries of the Luminous mysteries.

1. The Baptism of the Lord

And when Jesus was baptized, … the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on Him, and lo, a voice from heaven, saying “this is My beloved Son,” with whom I am well pleased.”
(Matthew 3:16-17)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Openness to the Holy Spirit

Focus on Jesus being baptized in the Jordan River. Be open to the Holy Spirit coming and guiding you through your life.

2. Wedding at Cana

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” … Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.
(John 2:5-7)

Fruit of the Mystery:
To Jesus through Mary

“Do Whatever He tells you,” in the same way Mary directs the servants at the wedding, she directs us in life. Through Mary, we learn to do what Jesus Christ tells us to do.

3. Proclaiming the Kingdom of God

“And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay.”
(Matthew 10:7-8)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Repentance and Trust in God

Through much of Jesus’ ministry, he taught people to cast away their things, to repent, and to follow him.

4. Transfiguration

And as He was praying, the appearance of His countenance was altered and His raiment become dazzling white. And a voice came out of the cloud saying, “This is My Son, My chosen; listen to Him!”
(Luke 9:29, 35)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Desire for Holiness

At the Transfiguration, Jesus took his three closest disciples up the mountain to witness the Transfiguration and see the other prophets. Jesus calls us in much the same way.

5. Institution of the Eucharist

And He took bread, and when He had given thanks He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you.” … And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”
(Luke 22:19-20)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Adoration

The Eucharist is the greatest gift of all. It is Christ. It is our Lord whom we receive at every Mass. With the institution of the Eucharist, we can be in the presence of God at Eucharistic adoration.

How To Pray The Rosary

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the “Apostles’ Creed”
2. First, say the “Our Father”
3. Say three “Hail Marys”
4. Then say the “Glory Be”
5. Announce the First Mystery and then say the “Our Father”
6. Say ten “Hail Marys” while meditating on the Mystery
7. Say the “Glory Be”(Optional: Say the “O My Jesus”(Also known as Fatima Prayer) prayer)
8. Announce the Next Mystery; then say the “Our Father” and repeat these steps (5 through 8) as you continue through the remaining Mysteries.
9. Say the closing prayers: the “Hail Holy Queen”(Salve Regina) and “Final Prayer”
10. Make the “Sign of the Cross”

You don’t have to say it out loud. Feel free to say it in your head

Prayers of The Rosary

Below are the prayers required to pray the Rosary.

Sign of The Cross

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

The Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit ofthy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen

The Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

O My Jesus (Fatima Prayer – Optional)

O My Jesus
forgive us our sins.
Save us from the fires of hell
Lead all souls to heaven
Especially those who are in most need of thy mercy
Amen

Learn more about Fatima at the Fatima Novena Page.

The Hail Holy Queen (The Salve Regina)

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
to you we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Final Prayer (Optional)

Let us pray. O God,
whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection,
has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life,
grant, we beseech Thee,
that meditating upon these mysteries
of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
we may imitate what they contain
and obtain what they promise,
through the same Christ Our Lord.
Amen.