The rosary is a set of prayers that are tied together into a longer prayer used for meditation and reflection. The rosary is said as a way to worship God and reach ever-higher levels of union with Him. Once only a Catholic practice, it is becoming more widespread among Protestants. As a person says the rosary they meditate on the mysteries assigned to that particular day. The mysteries are divided into four groups, most of which are events from the life of Jesus: the joyful mysteries, the glorious mysteries, the luminous mysteries, and the sorrowful mysteries. Normally, each mystery has a prayer or Bible verse associated with it. The Bible verse selected by the Association of Marian Helpers are included below with each mystery. The sorrowful mysteries focus on events during the final week of Jesus' "human life." The sorrowful mysteries are recited on Tuesdays and Fridays, and also encouraged on Sundays during Lent.
The First Sorrowful Mystery
The first sorrowful mystery is Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane where he is so distressed about the coming events that he prays for God "to take the cup from his lips." Despite his anguish, he also prays to only do God's will. This is described in Luke 22:44-45: "In His anguish He prayed with all the greater intensity, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. Then He rose from prayer and came to His disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted with grief." There are two focuses of meditation for this mystery: sorrow for sin or fervor in prayer, depending upon the source referenced.
The Second Sorrowful Mystery
The scourging of Jesus at the pillar is the second sorrowful mystery. "Pilate's next move was to take Jesus and have Him scourged," as it is put in John 19:1. It is important to note that during the torture and crucifixion of Jesus, He was innocent of all sin, making the punishments even worse. Purity and mortification of the soul are meditated upon.
The Third Sorrowful Mystery
The third sorrowful mystery is Jesus being crowned with thorns. This event is described in Matthew 27:28-29: "They stripped off His clothes and wrapped Him in a scarlet military cloak. Weaving a crown out of thorns they fixed it on His head, and stuck a reed in His right hand...". This mockery of Jesus makes the point of meditation for this mystery all the more appropriate. The point of mediation is Christian courage.
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery
Jesus carrying the cross is the fourth sorrowful mystery. "...carrying the cross by Himself, He went out to what is called the Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha)," states John 19:17. Patience and resignation are focused upon while praying this mystery.
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery
The fifth and final sorrowful mystery is the actual crucifixion. Jesus was stripped of all of his clothes and then nailed to the cross. On the verge of death, Jesus cried out, as described in Luke 23:46: "Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, 'Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.' After He said this, He expired." Sources vary on exactly what the person praying should meditate upon while saying this mystery. Some say perseverance, other says the spirit of self-sacrifice.
A Chance to Review and Honor the Life of Jesus
The rosary is unique from many other prayers in that it offers the person praying the chance to constantly meditate on events from the life of Jesus. With the four groupings, the major events from the life of Jesus are covered. The rosary, as with all prayers and faiths, is a personal matter. But the rosary has been popular for centuries and is a practice that many Christians find useful in aiding with prayer and finding a higher level of communion with their God. The sorrowful mysteries give the person praying not only the change to review the events of Passion Week, but to honor the great sacrifice that Jesus made.
For Further Information on the Rosary:
Why Do Catholics Pray the Rosary?
How to Pray the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary
The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
Sources:
Association of Marian Helpers. (2003.) Pray the Rosary Daily. Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception.
Catholic Answers. (1979-2008). The Rosary. Catholic Answers. El Cajon, CA. Catholic.com.
Libreria Editrice Vaticana (Vatican Library). (1997). Catechism of the Catholic Church. Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Citta del Vaticano.
Watkins, J. D., compiler. (2005). Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The American College of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, Woodridge, IL.
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