The Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

Traditionally prayed on Mondays and Saturdays, and on the Sundays of Advent.

Sign of the Cross

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

Opening Prayer

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of thy love. Send forth thy Spirit, and they shall be created, and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray. O God, who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. 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 shall 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. Amen.

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.

Three Hail Marys

For the increase of Faith:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

For the increase of Hope:

For the increase of Charity:

Glory Be

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

The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation

The Angel Gabriel is sent by God to the Virgin Mary, announcing that she is to be the Mother of the Son of the Most High. Mary humbly accepts God's will, saying: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to thy word." (Luke 1:26–38)

Fruit of the Mystery: Humility

Our Father

Hail Mary (×10)

(Pray ten times)

Glory Be

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

O My Jesus (Fatima Prayer)

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation

Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is with child. At the sound of Mary's greeting, the infant John leaps in Elizabeth's womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cries out: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!" Mary responds with the Magnificat: "My soul doth magnify the Lord." (Luke 1:39–56)

Fruit of the Mystery: Love of Neighbor

Our Father

Hail Mary (×10)

(Pray ten times)

Glory Be

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

O My Jesus (Fatima Prayer)

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity

The time comes for Mary to deliver her child. She wraps him in swaddling clothes and lays him in a manger, because there is no room for them in the inn. Angels appear to shepherds in the fields, proclaiming: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will." (Luke 2:1–20)

Fruit of the Mystery: Poverty of Spirit, Detachment from the Things of the World

Our Father

Hail Mary (×10)

(Pray ten times)

Glory Be

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

O My Jesus (Fatima Prayer)

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple

In obedience to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus in the Temple. The holy man Simeon takes the child in his arms, proclaiming him "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel." Simeon also prophesies to Mary: "A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also." (Luke 2:22–35)

Fruit of the Mystery: Obedience, Purity of Heart

Our Father

Hail Mary (×10)

(Pray ten times)

Glory Be

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

O My Jesus (Fatima Prayer)

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

The Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

After the feast of Passover, the boy Jesus, now twelve years old, remains behind in Jerusalem without his parents' knowledge. After three days of anxious searching, Mary and Joseph find him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Jesus says to them: "Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2:41–52)

Fruit of the Mystery: Joy in Finding Jesus, True Wisdom and Conversion

Our Father

Hail Mary (×10)

(Pray ten times)

Glory Be

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

O My Jesus (Fatima Prayer)

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

Closing Prayers

Hail, Holy Queen

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

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final Prayer

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 by 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.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

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