Rosary Tuesday & Friday - The Sorrowful Mysteries - The Catholic Handbook (2024)

When praying the Rosary on Tuesday or Friday the Catholic Church recommends praying the Sorrowful Mysteries.

The Sorrowful Mysteries are one of the original mysteries ofthe Rosary. The Sorrowful Mysteries are about the death and crucifixion of Jesus. The Joyful Mysteries discuss Jesus as a child and the Glorious Mysteries are about his resurrection. The Luminous Mysteries filled in the gap between the Joyful Mysteries and the Luminous Mysteries, and discuss Jesus’ ministry. There’s even a version of the rosary for the dead.

The Sorrowful Mysteries give us the opportunity to meditate on the sacrifice Jesus made for us. What he went through so that our sins could be forgiven. Thinking about the suffering and pain Jesus Christ went through reminds us of how much he loves us. As you go through the Sorrowful Mysterious pray for our lady’s intercession. You can also pray along with this video.

Below are the five mysteries of the Luminous mysteries.

1. Agony In The Garden

ThenJesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go yonder and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if itbe possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not watchwithme one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, thy will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
(Matthew 26:36-46)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Contrition and Conformity to the Will of God

Meditate on how Jesus prays. He begs God to spare him. However, he knows what is going to happen next and he says, “Thy Will be done.” May we all conform to God’s will.

2. Scourging at The Pillar

Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe; they came up to him, saying, “Hail,King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.
(John 19:1-3)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Purity and Mortification

Mortification is an ancient practice, but by making small sacrifices, and practicing asceticism we can grow closer to Christ.

3. Crowning Of Thorns

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, andthey gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. Andkneeling before him they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him ofthe robe, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.
(Matthew 27:27-31)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Moral Courage

In the process of being mocked and humiliated Jesus stood strong. Today’s world is often hostile to Catholics openly mocking what we believe. Know that Jesus suffers with us.

4. Carrying of The Cross

As they went out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry his cross. And whenthey came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.
(Luke 27:32-33)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Patience

Jesus patiently carried the cross falling three times. How patient are we with our crosses? When we stumble carrying our cross do we rise to our feet? Do we get help?

5. Crucifixion and Death

There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote atitle and put it on the cross; it read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was writtenin Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished”; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
(John 19:18-22, 30)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Salvation and Self Denial

Jesus suffered and dies for our sins. Just like Jesus, we are called to deny ourselves and take up our crosses daily and walk with Jesus.

How To Pray The Rosary

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the “Apostles’ Creed”
2. First, say the “Our Father”
3. Say three “Hail Marys”
4. Then say the “Glory Be”
5. Announce the First Mystery and then say the “Our Father”
6. Say ten “Hail Marys” while meditating on the Mystery
7. Say the “Glory Be”(Optional: Say the “O My Jesus” (Also known as Fatima Prayer) prayer)
8. Announce the Next Mystery; then say the “Our Father” and repeat these steps (5 through 8) as you continue through the remaining Mysteries.
9. Say the closing prayers: the “Hail Holy Queen”(Salve Regina) and “Final Prayer”
10. Make the “Sign of the Cross”

You don’t have to say it out loud. Feel free to say it in your head

Prayers of The Rosary

Below are the prayers required to pray the Rosary.

Sign of The Cross

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 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 will 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.

The 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

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit ofthy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen

The Glory Be

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

O My Jesus (Fatima Prayer – Optional)

O My Jesus
forgive us our sins.
Save us from the fires of hell
Lead all souls to heaven
Especially those who are in most need of thy mercy
Amen

Learn more about Fatima at the Fatima Novena Page.

The Hail Holy Queen (The Salve Regina)

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

Final Prayer (Optional)

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 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.