The Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary reflect on the Resurrection of Jesus and the glory that follows, for Christ, for His Mother, and for the Church.
Prayed on: Wednesday and Sunday (outside Advent, Christmas, and Lent).
How to Pray Each Mystery
- Announce the mystery (for example, "The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection").
- Pray one Our Father.
- Pray ten Hail Marys while meditating on the mystery.
- Pray one Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
New to the Holy Rosary? Start with How to Pray the Holy Rosary.
The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection
"He is not here, for he is risen, as he said." (Matthew 28:6)
On the third day, the women come to the tomb and find it empty. An angel tells them that Jesus has risen from the dead. Death is defeated, and the way to eternal life is open.
Fruit of the mystery: Faith
The Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension
"This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as you have seen him going into heaven." (Acts 1:11)
Forty days after His Resurrection, Jesus blesses His apostles and is taken up into heaven before their eyes. He goes to prepare a place for us and promises to return in glory.
Fruit of the mystery: Hope
The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:4)
On Pentecost, as Mary and the apostles pray together in the upper room, the Holy Spirit comes upon them in tongues of fire. The frightened disciples become bold witnesses, and the Church goes out to proclaim the Gospel to the world.
Fruit of the mystery: Love of God
The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary
At the end of her earthly life, Mary is taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven. She is the first to share fully in her Son's Resurrection, a sign of what God promises to all who are faithful.
The Assumption was solemnly defined as a dogma of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1950.
Fruit of the mystery: The grace of a happy death
The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary
"A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." (Revelation 12:1)
Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth. She reigns beside her Son, not as a distant queen, but as a mother who continues to pray for her children.
Fruit of the mystery: Trust in Mary's intercession
After the Fifth Mystery
Close the Holy Rosary with the Hail Holy Queen, the Holy Rosary Closing Prayer, and the Sign of the Cross.
The Other Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
- Joyful Mysteries: Monday and Saturday
- Sorrowful Mysteries: Tuesday and Friday
- Luminous Mysteries: Thursday