The Annunciation

The archangel Gabriel announces to Mary that She is to be the Mother of God. The Holy Name of Jesus will be given to Her Son. He will rule from the throne of His father David forever. Mary will maintain Her virginity perpetually for She conceives only by the Holy Spirit.

The Visitation

Mary visits Her relative Saint Elizabeth. Saint John the Baptist, in the womb of Elizabeth, rejoices at the sound of Mary’s voice and at the presence of the Lord in Her womb. Elizabeth says, “Blessed art Thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb.” Mary then proclaims the “Magnificat.”

The Nativity

Saint Joseph brings Mary to Bethlehem because of a census, but there is no place for them except in a stable outside of town. There, Jesus is born. The angels announce this to local shepherds, while magi come from the east, beckoned by a star, to worship the Lord.

The Presentation

According to the Law of Israel, Joseph and Mary present Jesus in the Temple on the 40th day because He is their firstborn. An offering is made. Old Simeon, inspired by God, proclaims the “Nunc Dimitis” and prophesies. The identity of the Lord is also revealed to a widow named Anna.

The Finding of Jesus

After celebrating the Passover in Jerusalem, the 12 year old Jesus remains behind while His parents begin their journey back to Nazareth. Realizing His absence, they search for Him. On the third day, they find the Lord in “His Father’s House” listening to the teachers, and amazing them with His wisdom.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony

After the institution of the Eucharist and Holy Orders at the Last Supper, Jesus takes the Apostles to the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem, in the Garden of Gethsemani. With Peter, James and John falling asleep nearby, Jesus undergoes profound agony. Judas Iscariot leads a crowd there to arrest Him.

The Scourge

Pontius Pilate orders his Roman soldiers to whip Jesus. The Precious Blood of Christ is spilled by the fierce assault. Did He receive the customary 39 lashes? To what extent was the flesh of the Savior torn? Consider how much the Lord endured out of love for us, to save us from sin!

The Crowning with Thorns

Because Jesus is called the King of the Jews, the soldiers coronate Him with a crown of thorns. They strike him and spit at him while pretending to show Him honor. To mock Him even further, they dress him as if in a royal robe, and display Him this way before the crowd. Truly, Jesus is the King of Kings.

The Carrying of the Cross

Condemned to Crucifixion, Jesus carries His Cross to Skull Place on Mount Calvary, outside the city walls. He is harassed along the narrow streets by the hostile crowd, but some women show Him pity. Simon of Cyrene is forced to help Him because Jesus does not have enough strength left.

The Crucifixion

Stripped of His clothes, Jesus is nailed to the Cross through His Hands and Feet. His Mother is present, with John, Mary Magdalen and other women. People taunt Him as He speaks His seven last statements. He even forgives His offenders. Around 3 o’clock, He dies. Then, His Side is opened.

The Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection

On the third day, the first Easter Sunday morning, Jesus comes back to life. The stone covering His tomb is removed, and the Roman guards faint. He later appears to Magdalen and sends her to the Apostles with the Good News. In the evening, He appears to them behind locked doors.

The Ascension

Jesus appears to the disciples over the course of 40 days. Then, on that Thursday, He leads them to a mountain top. There, the apostles receive their commission to preach to the world and to baptize in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus ascends into the clouds, while angels foretell His return.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

The disciples pray in the upper room, the Cenacle. On the Jewish feast of Pentecost, 50 days after the Resurrection, and 10 after the Ascension, the Holy Spirit descends on them, like tongues of fire, with charismatic gifts. This little Church grows quickly after Peter preaches the Gospel for the first time.

The Assumption

Death is the penalty for sin but the Immaculate Virgin Mary was sinless. Still, immortality is a gift. So, we do not know whether She died or not. What the Church has always believed, nevertheless, is that, at the end of Her time on earth, our Lady was assumed body and soul into heaven.

The Coronation

Christ the King coronates Mary as Queen, so that She may be perfectly conformed to Him. Because of her humility and obedience to the divine will, our Lady becomes the highest of all creatures. She is the New Eve on the side of the New Adam, revealed with a royal crown of twelve stars.