The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

Traditionally prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays, and on the Sundays of Lent.

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 Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden

After the Last Supper, Jesus goes with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. He falls to the ground in prayer, saying: "Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done." In his anguish, his sweat becomes like great drops of blood falling upon the ground. An angel from heaven appears to strengthen him. (Luke 22:39–46; Matthew 26:36–46)

Fruit of the Mystery: Sorrow for Sin, Conformity to the Will of God

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 Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar

Pilate, finding no guilt in Jesus but wishing to satisfy the crowd, has him scourged. Jesus is bound to a pillar and brutally beaten with whips and rods. He endures this terrible suffering in silence, offering his wounds for the sins of the world. His body is torn and covered with wounds. (John 19:1; Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15)

Fruit of the Mystery: Mortification of the Senses, Penance

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 Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns

The soldiers strip Jesus and put a scarlet robe upon him. Plaiting a crown of thorns, they press it upon his head and place a reed in his right hand. They kneel before him in mockery, saying: "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spit upon him and strike him on the head with the reed. (Matthew 27:27–31; Mark 15:16–20; John 19:2–3)

Fruit of the Mystery: Moral Courage, Contempt 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 Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross

Jesus, weakened by scourging and loss of blood, is made to carry the heavy cross through the streets of Jerusalem to Calvary. He falls three times under its weight. Simon of Cyrene is compelled to help him carry the cross. Jesus meets his sorrowful Mother along the way, and speaks to the weeping women of Jerusalem: "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children." (Luke 23:26–32; John 19:17)

Fruit of the Mystery: Patience in Suffering

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 Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion

Jesus is nailed to the cross and raised up between two thieves. He prays: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." To the repentant thief he promises: "Today thou shalt be with me in Paradise." To his Mother and the beloved disciple he says: "Woman, behold thy son" and "Behold thy mother." After three hours of agony, darkness covers the land, and Jesus cries out: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" At last he says: "It is finished," and bowing his head, he gives up his spirit. (Luke 23:33–46; John 19:18–30; Matthew 27:33–50)

Fruit of the Mystery: Salvation, Forgiveness, Self-Denial

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.