The Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation

Our Father

1- The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the Virgin’s name was Mary. (Lk 1:26-27)         Hail Mary

2- He came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace!" Hail Mary

3- "The Lord is with you!” (Lk 1:28)       Hail Mary

4- But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. (Lk 1:29) Hail Mary

5- And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Lk 1:30) Hail Mary

6- “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Lk 1:31) Hail Mary

7- Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no husband?” (Lk 1:34) Hail Mary

8- And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God.” (Lk 1:35)   Hail Mary

9- And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38)         Hail Mary

10- And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (Jn 1:14) Hail Mary

Glory be

The Visitation

Our Father

1- In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. (Lk 1:39-40)  Hail Mary

2- And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb. (Lk 1:41)  Hail Mary

3- And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women!" (Lk 1:42) Hail Mary

4- “And blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Lk 1:42) Hail Mary

5- “And why is this granted me, that the mother of the Lord should come to me?" (Lk 1:43) Hail Mary

6- “For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy." (Lk 1:44) Hail Mary

7- “And blessed is she who believed there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." (Lk 1:45) Hail Mary

8- And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord."   (Lk 1:46) Hail Mary

9- “And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." (Lk 1:47) Hail Mary

10- And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. (Lk 1:56) Hail Mary

Glory be

The Nativity of the Lord

Our Father

1- Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit. (Mt 1:18) Hail Mary

2- And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. (Mt 1:19) Hail Mary

3- But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife." (Mt 1:20) Hail Mary

4- "For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." (Mt 1:20) Hail Mary

5- "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (Mt 1:21) Hail Mary

6- When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife. (Mt 1:24) Hail Mary

7- Joseph went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed, who was with child. (Lk 2:4-5) Hail Mary

8- While they were there the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her firstborn son. (Lk 2:7) Hail Mary

9- And she wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Lk 2:7) Hail Mary

10- God sent forth his son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Gal 4:4-5) Hail Mary

Glory be

The Presentation

Our Father

1- When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (Lk 2:22) Hail Mary

2- Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon…And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not taste death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (Lk 2:25, 26) Hail Mary

3- When the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.” (Lk 2:27-29) Hail Mary

4- “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of the peoples.” (Lk 2:30-31) Hail Mary

5- “A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel.”   (Lk 2:32)  Hail Mary

6- And his father and mother marveled at what was said about him.   (Lk 2:33)  Hail Mary

7- Simeon blessed them and said to his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against."  (Lk 2:34)  Hail Mary

8- “And a sword shall pierce through your own soul also” (Lk 2:35) Hail Mary

9- And there was a prophetess, Anna…And coming up that very hour, she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.  (Lk 2:38) Hail Mary

10- And when they had performed all according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. (Lk 2:39) Hail Mary

Glory be

The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

Our Father

1- Now his parents went up to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. (Lk 2:41-42) Hail Mary

2- When the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. (Lk 2:43) Hail Mary

3- His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.  And when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.  (Lk 2:43-45) Hail Mary

4- After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  (Lk 2:46) Hail Mary

5- And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.   (Lk 2:47) Hail Mary

6- When they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so?    Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.”  (Lk 2:48) Hail Mary

7- And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my father’s house?”   (Lk 2:49) Hail Mary

8- And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. (Lk 2:50) Hail Mary

9- He went with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.  (Lk 2:51) Hail Mary

10- And his mother kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.  (Lk 2:51) Hail Mary

Glory be

The Luminous Mysteries

The Baptism of the Lord

Our Father

 

1- John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mk 1:4) Hail Mary

 

2- “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I…he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Mt 3:11) Hail Mary

 

3- “For this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel” (Jn 1:31) Hail Mary
 

4- He saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” (Jn 1:29) Hail Mary

 

5- John would have prevented him saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Mt 3:14) Hail Mary

 

6- But Jesus answered him and said, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. (Mt 3:15) Hail Mary

 

7- When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. (Mt 3:16) Hail Mary

 

8- And behold, the heavens were opened. (Mt 3:16) Hail Mary

 

9- And the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove. (Lk 3:22) Hail Mary

 

10- And a voice came from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.” (Mk 1:11) Hail Mary

 

Glory be

Christ's Self-Manifestation at the Wedding of Cana
 

Our Father

 

1- On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galillee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus was also invited to the marriage, with his disciples. (Jn 2:1-2) Hail Mary

 

2- When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” (Jn 2:3) Hail Mary

 

3- And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” (Jn 2:4) Hail Mary

 

4- His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn 2:5) Hail Mary

 

5- Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. (Jn 2:6-7) Hail Mary

 

6- He said, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it. (Jn 2:8) Hail Mary

 

7- The steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it had come from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew). (Jn 2:9) Hail Mary

 

8- The steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” (Jn 2:9-10) Hail Mary

 

9- This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. (Jn 2:11) Hail Mary

 

10- And his disciples believed in him. (Jn 2:11) Hail Mary

 

Glory be

 

The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
 

Our Father

 

1- Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mk 1:14-15) Hail Mary

 

2- “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mk 1:15) Hail Mary

 

3- “The seed is the word of God…And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Lk 8:11, 15) Hail Mary

 

4- “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of seeds."  (Mt 13:31) Hail Mary

5- "But when it is grown it becomes the greatest of shrubs and is like a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." (Mt 13:32)  Hail Mary

 

6- “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Mt 13:45-46) Hail Mary

 

7- “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 18:3) Hail Mary

 

8- “Her sins which are many, are forgiven, for she has loved much.”…Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Lk 7:47, 48) Hail Mary

 

9- “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Mt 6:14) Hail Mary

 

10- He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (Jn 20:22-23) Hail Mary

Glory be

The Transfiguration

Our Father

 

1- Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and took them up a high mountain apart by themselves. (Mk 9:2) Hail Mary

 

2- And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered. (Lk 9:29) Hail Mary

 

3- And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. (Mt 17:2) Hail Mary

 

4- May God be gracious to us and bless us, and make his face to shine upon us. (Ps 67:1) Hail Mary

 

5- My heart says to thee, “Thy face, Lord, do I seek.” (Ps 27:8) Hail Mary

 

6- Two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Lk 9:30-31) Hail Mary

 

7- And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well we are here, let us make three booths, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” – not knowing what he said. (Lk 9:33) Hail Mary

 

8- He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them. (Mt 17:5) Hail Mary

 

9- And a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” (Mk 9:7) Hail Mary

 

10- And suddenly looking around they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. (Mark 9:8) Hail Mary

 

Glory be

The Institution of the Eucharist

Our Father

 

1- Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the passover for us, that we may eat it." (Lk 22:8) Hail Mary

 

2- And when the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer." (Lk 22:14-15) Hail Mary

 

3- And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you.” (Lk 22:19) Hail Mary

4- "The bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world." (Jn 6:33) Hail Mary

 

5- “If any one eats this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (Jn 6:51) Hail Mary

 

6- And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; for this is the blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mt 26:27) Hail Mary

 

7- “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (Jn 6:54) Hail Mary

 

8- “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” (Jn 6:55) Hail Mary

 

9- “Do this is remembrance of me.” (Lk 22:19) Hail Mary

 

10- For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Cor 11:26) Hail Mary

 

Glory be

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden

Our Father

1- They went to a place called Gethsemane…And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. (Mk 14:32, 33) Hail Mary

2- And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me.” (Lk 22:42) Hail Mary

3- “Nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.” (Lk 22:42) Hail Mary

4- And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. (Lk 22:43) Hail Mary

5- And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. (Lk 22:44) Hail Mary

6- And his sweat became like great drops of blood falling upon the ground. (Lk 22:44) Hail Mary

7- And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So you could not watch with me one hour?” (Mt 26:40) Hail Mary

8- “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mt 26:41) Hail Mary

9- While he was still speaking, Judas came…and with him a crowd with swords and clubs…And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him and seized him. (Mk 14:45, 46) Hail Mary

10- Then all the disciples forsook him and fled. (Mt 26:56) Hail Mary

Glory be

The Scourging at the Pillar

Our Father

1- Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. (Jn 19:1) Hail Mary

2- I gave my back to the smiters. (Is 50:6) Hail Mary

3- The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows. (Ps 129:3) Hail Mary

4- We esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. (Is 53:4) Hail Mary

5- He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities. (Is 53:5) Hail Mary

6- Yet it was the will of the Lord to bruise him. (Is 53:10) Hail Mary

7- His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance. (Is 52:14) Hail Mary

8- Upon him was the chastisement that made us whole. (Is 53:5) Hail Mary

9- And with his stripes we are healed. (Is 53:5) Hail Mary

10- Having scourged Jesus, Pilate delivered him over to be crucified. (Mk 15:15) Hail Mary

Glory be

The Crowning with Thorns

Our Father

1- The soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. (Mt 27:27) Hail Mary

2- They stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him. (Mt 27:28) Hail Mary

3- And plating a crown of thorns they put it on his head. (Mt 27:29) Hail Mary

4- And kneeling before him they mocked him saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Mt 27:29) Hail Mary

5- And they struck his head with a reed, and spat upon him. (Mk 15:19) Hail Mary

6- I hid not my face from shame and spitting. (Is 50:6) Hail Mary

7- Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter…so he opened not his mouth. (Is 53:7) Hail Mary

8- Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” (Jn 19:5) Hail Mary

9- When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Jn 19:6) Hail Mary

10- And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him. (Mt 27:31) Hail Mary

Glory be

The Carrying of the Cross

Our Father

1- They took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross. (Jn 19:17) Hail Mary

2- Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. (Is 53:4) Hail Mary

3- He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Is 53:12) Hail Mary

4- They seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. (Lk 23:26) Hail Mary

5- “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Lk 9:23) Hail Mary

6- “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.” (Mt 11:29) Hail Mary

7- “For I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt 11:29) Hail Mary

8- There followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. (Lk 23:27) Hail Mary

9- But Jesus said turning to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Lk 23:28) Hail Mary

10- And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). (Mk 15:22) Hail Mary

Glory be

The Crucifixion and Death of the Lord

Our Father

1- When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified him. (Lk 23:33) Hail Mary

2- And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Lk 23:34) Hail Mary

3- The rulers scoffed at him saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” (Lk 23:35) Hail Mary

4- Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdelene. (John 19:25) Hail Mary

5- When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” (Jn 19:26) Hail Mary

6- Then he said to his disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. (Jn 19:27) Hail Mary

7- After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the scripture), "I thirst." (Jn 19:28)

8- Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mt 27:46) Hail Mary

9- Then Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. (Lk 23:46) Hail Mary

10- One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. (Jn 19:34) Hail Mary

Glory be

The Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection

Our Father

1- Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdelene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre. (Mt 28:1) Hail Mary

2- And they found the stone rolled back from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. (Lk 24:3) Hail Mary

3- Behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel and…said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” (Lk 24:5) Hail Mary

4- They departed from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!” (Mt 28:8-9) Hail Mary

5- And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. (Mt 28:9) Hail Mary

6- After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking in the country. (Mk 16:12) Hail Mary

7- When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him. (Lk 24:30-31) Hail Mary

8- On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (Jn 20:19) Hail Mary

9- He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” (Jn 20:27) Hail Mary

10- Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28) Hail Mary

Glory be


The Ascension

Our Father

1- Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. (Mt 28:16) Hail Mary

2- Jesus came and said to them, “…Go…and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Mt 28:18,19) Hail Mary

3- “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Holy Spirit will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (Jn 16:7) Hail Mary

4- “Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49) Hail Mary

5- And lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was taken up into heaven. (Lk 24:50, 51) Hail Mary

6- As they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9) Hail Mary

7- The Lord Jesus…was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. (Mk 16:19) Hail Mary

8- Seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Col 3:1) Hail Mary

9- “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (Jn 14:2) Hail Mary

10- And while they were gazing up into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “…This Jesus, who was taken up into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10, 11) Hail Mary
Glory be


The Descent of the Holy Spirit Upon the Apostles and Mary

Our Father

1- They returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet…All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. (Acts 1:12, 14) Hail Mary

2- When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. (Acts 2:1) Hail Mary

3- And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:2) Hail Mary

4- And there appeared tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. (Acts 2:3) Hail Mary

5- And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4) Hail Mary

6- And [they] began to speak in tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4) Hail Mary

7- Now there were in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound they came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. (Acts 2:5-6) Hail Mary

8- And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) Hail Mary

9- So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41) Hail Mary

10- And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42) Hail Mary

Glory be

The Assumption

Our Father

1- She is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness. (Wis 7:26) Hail Mary

2- “When I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (Jn 14:3) Hail Mary

3- Arise, O Lord, and go to thy resting place, thou and the ark of thy might. (Ps 132:8) Hail Mary

4- My beloved speaks and says to me, “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for lo, the winter is past, and the rain is over and gone.” (Song 2:10) Hail Mary

5- The woman was given two wings of the great eagle that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to a place where she is to be nourished. (Rev 12:14) Hail Mary

6- Draw me after you. Let us make haste. The king has brought me into his chambers. (Song 1:4) Hail Mary

7- Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem…The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst. (Zeph 3:14, 15) Hail Mary

8- “O daughter, you are blessed by the Most High above all women on earth.” (Jud 13:18) Hail Mary

9- “Behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.” (Lk 1:48) Hail Mary

10- “For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Lk 1:49) Hail Mary

Glory be

The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

Our Father

1- The Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory. (Ps 149:4) Hail Mary

2- He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness. (Is 61:10) Hail Mary

3- Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me. (2 Tim 4:8) Hail Mary

4- Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you. (Zech 9:9) Hail Mary

5- A great portent appeared in the heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet. (Rev 12:1) Hail Mary

6- And on her head a crown of twelve stars (Rev 12:1) Hail Mary

7- The king rose to meet her, and bowed down to her; then he sat on his throne, and had a seat brought for the king's mother; and she sat on his right. (1 Kg 2:19) Hail Mary

8- You are the exaltation of Jerusalem, you are the great glory of Israel, you are the greatest pride of our nation! (Jud 15:9) Hail Mary

9- Who is this that looks forth like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army with banners? (Song 6:10) Hail Mary

10- I am the mother of beautiful love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope. (Sir 24:18) Hail Mary

Glory be

Benedict XVI's Christmas Message

Upon growing up with a consumerism-based understanding of what Christmas means - I have slowly dis- and reassembled my understanding of Christmas around this time every year for the past five or so years. I read our Holy Father's Christmas message yesterday, and my understanding of what Christmas is really about has been clearly redefined for me. Thank God for this great pope!

Happy Advent

One of My Favorite Quotes by a Pope

I am barely into Spe Salvi yet, but I just have to share this.

"Jesus was not Spartacus" (Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi, 4).

Spe Salvi

Don't forget to read the pope's new encyclical, Spe Salvi

A Week's Meditation on Hope

Sunday - John 11:17-27

Monday - Matthew 10:24-33

Tuesday - John 6:35-59

Wednesday - John 14:1-6

Thursday - Luke 24:45-53

Friday - Luke 21:5-19

Saturday - Luke 21:20-36


We rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God...and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:2, 5)

Bible Verses on Chastity and Purity AND Advice on Overcoming Struggles with Impurity

Prayerfully reading and meditating upon passages from Scripture transforms our hearts and minds, "for the word of God is living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb 4:12). When unclean or base desires habitually reside in our hearts, the word of God exposes them, and helps, through our own active response to the grace of God, to pry them out, replacing the vices of the flesh with the virtues of the Spirit. Moreover, God's word purifies: "You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you" (John 15:3). Continual reflection upon passages which illustrate certain virtues helps us to assimilate those particular virtues into our lives, proving ourselves to be among "those who, hearing the word, hold fast to it in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience" (Lk 8:15). This is the principle behind all the weekly meditations on certain virtues and truths of the faith which I have posted lately - that, in identifying the virtues which we need to particularly emulate, or the truths of the faith which we are called to understand better, we may focus on them in a special way in Scripture (though it may definitely take longer than a week to master them).

At one point in my life few years back I was personally making a concerted effort to grow in the virtue of chastity. At that point, I made an effort to look for passages and verses on the virtue in Scripture. As I have become much more familiar with Bible throughout the past few years, I have now developed a list of verses and passages on chastity and purity I wish I had then. A reader recently asked me for such a list, and I have developed one which I think is worth posting. Here it is. You may click on listed citations to see what the verses say.

Following the verses below is some advice on overcoming struggles of impurity.

Psalm 24:3-4

Psalm 51:10

Psalm 73:1

Psalm 119:9

Proverbs 5

Proverbs 6:20-35

Isaiah 1:16-18

Malachi 2:13-16

Matthew 5:1-12 (pure in heart)

Matthew 5:27-30

Matthew 6:22-23 (or Luke 11:33-36)

Matthew 19:3-12

Mark 7:14-23

John 8:2-11

Romans 1:18-32

Romans 6:12-23

Romans 12:1-2

1 Corinthians 6:9-20

2 Corinthians 7:1

2 Corinthians 11:2

Galatians 5:16-26

Ephesians 4:22-24

Ephesians 5:21-33

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

1 Timothy 1:5

2 Timothy 2:20-22

2 Peter 2:4-22

1 John 2:15-17

1 John 3:1-3

Jude 5-7

Revelation 14:1-5

Here is some advice on overcoming struggles with impurity.

First of all, I highly recommend the Confraternity of Angelic Warfare, a centuries-old spiritual brother- and sisterhood established for those seeking to grow in chastity and sexual purity.  The members use the confraternity's prayers and devotional practices to help themselves and one another grow in purity.  The confraternity emphasizes Christ's role as Victor and the potential of our sharing in his victory, especially over impurity.  Here is their website: http://www.angelicwarfareconfraternity.org/

Anyone can practice the prayers and other devotional practices of the confraternity.  A baptized Catholic can enroll as an official member.

Here is some other advice:

The Problem with the "Problem"

Be careful in telling yourself you have a "struggle" or "problem" which to an extent is involuntary, psychological, or unconscious. This is not to say such problems don't exist. Unfortunately, those who have suffered from sexual abuse come to unconsciously believe ideas about themselves related to shame about what has happened to them, resulting in deep-seated misconceptions or woundedness with regard to their sexual identity and/or inordinate ways in how they relate to others. Professional psychological counseling, preferably from a Christian viewpoint, is what is needed for such problems. I say, from a Christian viewpoint, because some psychology today would recommend that some embrace sexual identity which is a result of shame and misconstrued self-perception. That is not too helpful, is it?

Usually, however, when we engage in impure behavior, in thought or deed, it's because we want to, on one or two levels. On one level, we may be wanting to fulfill the impure desire itself, "getting off", as it were. However, on another level, we may be wanting to because have come to believe the idea that we have a "problem" and we want to perpetuate this idea for ourselves, as it is easier for us to tell ourselves we have a "problem" or "struggle", and that is why we habitually commit such acts, instead of working at overcoming the habit, which means giving up the occasional fulfillment of an impure sexual desire. It is also easier to tell ourselves we have some sort of involuntary problem then to overcome the beliefs we have come to accept about ourselves as such problems have persisted: such beliefs that we may never overcome the problem or that it is an insurmountable part of ourselves. Although it would be nice to overcome such false self-perception, it is hard to do so, and it is unfortunately easier to stay in the rut of believing we have no control over our actions and will likely never overcome them, and act accordingly.

Furthermore, accepting that we commit such acts because we want to can be difficult when impure behavior concerns disordered sexual attraction, as we are embarrassed with ourselves that we would consciously entertain such attraction.

But admitting we commit acts of impurity because we want to is a crucial step in overcoming the real problem: the habit of willfully committing acts of impurity. Upon admitting to ourselves that we want to commit such acts, either to fulfill lust or perpetuate false beliefs about ourselves, we can then relievingly believe we do have control over them, and then, with the grace of God, through whom all things are possible, obediently submit ourselves to his holy will in faith and trust.

Deeper Analysis

I will break down these same ideas further:

On the one hand, it is easier to tell ourselves that we have some sort of"problem" or are undergoing a "struggle". This reduces our culpability: it's the "struggle's" fault, not mine. We can also be embarrassed with ourselves that we would commit such acts willfully. In such a case, telling ourselves we are undergoing a "struggle" helps us believe that we really don't want to commit such acts.

But on the other hand, telling ourselves we have a problem perpetuates the problem itself on multiple levels. First, when we believe that there is an element of the problem which makes our actions involuntary, we are conceding to that extent that we have no control over our behavior. From the belief that we have no control over the behavior can issue forth despair and fear over the belief we will indeed never overcome our problem, which despair sets in more deeply as the conscience is anathemetized in the process of further accepting that we have no control of our behavior and thus are not responsible for it.

The belief that we have no control over our behavior also comes into play when temptations later arise. Then, when we may indeed not want to engage in the act of impurity, dreading the idea we will never overcome the habit, we commit it because we have come to believe we have no control over our actions, and are going to do it anyway; believing we have no control then makes it so. This is when one may undergo the sense that one is undergoing a sort of out-of-body experience: watching oneself as one commits an act while not really feeling the desire to do so.

Fear that one has no control over one's actions in such case then builds on the fear of the occasion of temptation itself. Fear of temptation then inordinately rises to the level of an obsession. And, why shouldn't one constantly fear temptation if one does not have control over one's behavior? Obsession over the temptation itself then may create a cycle of creating more temptations for oneself, increasing the likelihood of temptation as one's mind is constantly on the subject.

The fear, despair, false self-perception, and obsession described are textbook examples of what some would call "strongholds" of the Enemy. The devil takes advantage of such strongholds and even subtly helps build them up. We need to remember that he is "a liar and father of lies" and has been a "murderer from the beginning" (Jn. 8:44). Indeed, if he would have his way, he would murder our souls along with the eternal happiness God wills for us.

On a Brighter Side

Pray for light and self-knowledge from Christ, who is the Light of the World. When one fesses up to oneself and to God that they are continuing a sinful habit because of willingness to do so, the illusion that one has no control over one's behavior gets its legs knocked out from under it. The self-deception is no longer needed because one was using it to conceal the realization that one wanted to and was responsible for his actions. If one is trying no longer to conceal the willingness to commit such actions - but expose them - then the self-deception loses its usefulness. Humble recognition before God of the rebellion of one's will is the first step toward healing the weakness of one's will which resulted from false perceptions that one had no control over one's actions.

Realization that one commits certain acts out of willingness to do so also bears hope. One then knows what one needs to do: work on growing in chastity. The hope in realizing what one needs to do then diminishes the despair which resulted from believing that one had a "problem" or "struggle" over which one had no control, and probably over which one would have no control as life progressed. The steps to purify oneself can be taken through prayer, the word of God ("You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you" [Jn. 15:3]), and closer communion with God in Jesus Christ.

If one is Catholic, I would also recommend taking advantage of the manifold grace waiting for us in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession. Through the Eucharist we receive Christ in all his infinite grace, and our sharing in this grace increases with our greater openness to it. Besides granting the forgiveness of sins, Confession also provides grace to avoid sin in the future. Also indispensable to growing in purity would be devotion to our Blessed Mother, especially with the rosary, by which through meditation we fill our minds with the thoughts about the key events of the lives of Jesus and Mary as revealed in the Gospels.

It almost goes without saying that one needs to avoid what is called the occasion of sin. Don't put yourself in the situation in which you usually commit sin. One friend of mine, in understanding and agreement with his wife, had to cancel internet service. It is what many would consider a drastic step now (though, only a decade and a half ago, few had very usable internet service to the home), but guess what. It worked.

As we resolve to grow in purity, we consider Jesus' words to the man at the pool of Bethzatha who had been ill for 38 years: "Do you want to be healed?" (Jn.5:6) We need to will that our will be healed. And, we if sense in ourselves an unwillingness to be healed, an unhealthy comfort within the rut, we need pray for the healing of our will, and that we may want to grow. The will is also trained by fasting and making small acts of self-denial throughout the day: turning off the radio in the car, not spending as much time online, spending more time in prayer or the reading of sacred Scripture, etc.

Know that God would not call you to grow in virtue without giving the grace to do it. (And, why wouldn't God be calling us all to grow in virtue?) So, we need to trust that God will be with us on our journey toward closer union with him. Trust in God entails letting our vices go and putting matters into his hands. It is noteworthy here that chastity is a form of temperance, or self-control. With regard to being temperate in taking a new step forward toward growing in virtue, and in trusting in God to help us, it should be mentioned that some problems are better overcome by not overexerting ourselves but letting God handle them (see, for example, the parable of the wheat and weeds, Mt. 13:24-30, 34-36). Letting go of such vices, so as to put the matter into God's hands more fully, is best accomplished in such cases by not even thinking about them. Pray about it, but once you've prayed, trust that God has heard your prayer. Give the mind a rest and think about the things God wants you to have in your mind (cf. Phil. 4:8). If you need to put such things into your mind, read and prayerfully reflect upon his word, filling your mind with it; "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Col. 3:16), and "be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Rom. 12:2).

Pray for strength and grace to walk with Christ, but keep your eyes focused on him as he leads you as your Good Shepherd, and not too much on yourself, making yourself a distraction to yourself. Not even thinking about your problems is also part of trusting in God's ability to do anything he wills for you, even to heal you and put you back into the state of life he wills for you. God works in you through such faith and trust: "Your faith has made you well" (Mk. 5:34, Mk. 10:52, Lk. 17:19). He wants such trust in him and thus wants you to let go of what keeps you from coming closer to him (cf. Mk. 10:17-27). The first step in doing this is praying for the ability to do so.

Though we are sinners, God still loves us and seeks us out (see the parable of the lost sheep, Mt. 18:10-14 and Lk. 15: 3-7).  The dignity we have as a children of God depends initially on the fact that God still loves us even in our state of sin.  Part of us, content in our sin and despair, wants to swat this love of God away and sulkily tell it to leave us alone.   However, accepting the self-knowledge of ourselves as ones still loved by God helps us to see the flame of God's love in our lives.  This flame is to be set ablaze as we repent, accept his mercy, and, in the power of the Holy Spirit, grow further into our identity of God's children and more fully into the likeness of the Son of God, Jesus Christ himself (cf. Romans 8:14-17).  The idea that we are helpless creatures who have no control over our sin and who are good for nothing but the darkest pits of hell is again another lie from the father of lies.  Such a lie darkens our perception of God's love directed toward us and thus the self-perception as one loved by God.  By the light of the Holy Spirit this darkness is banished and we come to see ourselves as ones truly loved by God.  Seeing ourselves in this new light and accepting the self-dignity as God's beloved children gives God's grace a stronger foothold to bring us to run to a loving Father whose ocean of mercy washes our sins away.

A Month's Meditation on the Kingdom of God

Here is a nice and thorough meditation from the Gospels on the Kingdom of God.

WEEK 1

Sunday - Matthew 6:9-13

Monday - Mark 1:14-15

Tuesday - Luke 8:1-15

Wednesday - Matthew 13:24-43

Thursday - Matthew 13:44-52

Friday - Mark 4:21-29

Saturday - Matthew 8:5-13

WEEK 2

Sunday - John 18:33-37

Monday - Matthew 18:23-35

Tuesday - Matthew 20:1-16

Wednesday - Matthew 21:28-46

Thursday - Matthew 22:1-14

Friday - Matthew 25:1-13

Saturday - Matthew 25:14-30

WEEK 3

Sunday - Matthew 25:31-46

Monday - Luke 12:22-34

Tuesday - Matthew 18:1-5

Wednesday - John 3:1-15

Thursday - Luke 22:14-30

Friday - John 12:27-36

Saturday - John 19:1-16

WEEK 4

Sunday - Luke 23:32-43

Monday - Matthew 11:2-15

Tuesday - Matthew 12:22-32

Wednesday - Luke 17:20-21

Thursday - Matthew 16:13-20

Friday - John 20:19-23

Saturday - Luke 1:26-38

A Novena of Meditations on the Kingdom of God

First Day - Mark 1:14-15

Second Day - Luke 8:1-15

Third Day - Matthew 13:24-43

Fourth Day - Matthew 13:44-52

Fifth Day - Matthew 18:23-35

Sixth Day - Matthew 20:1-16

Seventh Day - Matthew 22:1-14

Eighth Day - Mark 4:26-29

Ninth Day - Luke 16:16-17, 17:20-21


Other illustrative passages on the kingdom of God are Matthew 11:2-15 and Luke 12:22-34.

A Week's Mediatation on the Church

Sunday - Luke 6:12-16

Monday - Matthew 16:13-20

Tuesday - Luke 10:1-16

Wednesday - Matthew 18:15-20

Thursday - Luke 22:14-30

Friday - John 20:19-23

Saturday - Matthew 28:16-20

A Week's Meditation on the Light of the World

Sunday - John 9:1-11

Monday - Matthew 5:13-16

Tuesday - Luke 11:33-36

Wednesday - John 1:1-18

Thursday - John 3:16-21

Friday - John 12:27-36

Saturday - Matthew 17:1-8

"I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

Pray a decade of the Scriptural Rosary in Honor of our Lady of the Rosary!

The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

Our Father

1- Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you. (Zech 9:9) Hail Mary

2- The Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory. (Ps 149:4) Hail Mary

3- He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness. (Is 61:10) Hail Mary

4- Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me. (2 Tim 4:8) Hail Mary

5- A great portent appeared in the heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet. (Rev 12:1) Hail Mary

6- And on her head a crown of twelve stars (Rev 12:1) Hail Mary

7- At your right hand stands the queen. (Ps 45:9) Hail Mary

8- You are the exaltation of Jerusalem, you are the great glory of Israel, you are the greatest pride of our nation! (Jud 15:9) Hail Mary

9- Who is this that looks forth like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army with banners? (Song 6:10) Hail Mary

10- I am the mother of beautiful love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope. (Sir 24:18) Hail Mary

Glory be

A Week's Meditation on Faith

Sunday - John 20:24-31

Monday - Matthew 6:25-34

Tuesday - Matthew 8:5-13

Wednesday - Mark 4:35-41

Thursday - Matthew 15:21-28

Friday - Mark 11:20-26

Saturday - Matthew 14:22-33

A Novena of Meditations on the Holy Eucharist

First Day - Mark 8:1-10

Second Day - John 6:25-40

Third Day - John 6:41-59

Fourth Day - John 13:1-20

Fifth Day - Luke 22:14-23

Sixth Day - John 1:29-34

Seventh Day - Luke 24:28-35

Eighth Day - 1 Corinthians 10:14-18

Ninth Day - 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Cor 11:29)


Other passages related to the Eucharist:
Genesis 14:14-20

Exodus 12:1-8

Psalm 110

Psalm 116:12-14

Malichi 1:11

Matthew 26:26-29

Mark 14:22-25

Revelation 5:6-10

A Week's Meditation on Truth

Here are a week's worth of Gospel passages on truth. May meditation on these passages lead you toward greater regard for truth, honesty, and the Eighth Commandment!

Sunday - John 17:6-19

Monday - Matthew 5:33-37

Tuesday - Matthew 21:28-32

Wednesday - John 4:16-24

Thursday - John 8:31-47

Friday - John 18:33-38

Saturday - John 14:1-7

Other good Gospel passages on truth are Matthew 23:16-22; Mark 5:24-34; John 1:1-14, 3:16-21, 4:16-26, 5:30-37, 8:12-20, 13:21-30, and 16:12-15.

A Novena of Meditations on Humility

First Day - Matthew 7:1-5

Second Day - Matthew 11:25-30

Third Day - Matthew 18:1-4

Fourth Day - Mark 10:35-45

Fifth Day - Luke 14:7-11

Sixth Day - Luke 17:7-10

Seventh Day - Luke 18:9-14

Eighth Day - Philippians 2:1-13

Ninth Day - 1 Peter 5:1-11

A Week's Meditation on Charity

Sunday - Matthew 25:31-46

Monday - Matthew 5:38-48 (or Luke 6:27-36)

Tuesday - Matthew 18:23-35

Wednesday - Mark 12:41-44 (or Luke 21:1-4)

Thursday - John 13:31-35

Friday - John 15:12-17

Saturday - Luke 10:25-37

A Novena of Meditations on the Holy Trinity

May meditation on the central mystery of our faith, that of the Holy Trinity, strengthen your own faith.

First Day  - Matthew 28:16-20

Second Day - Mark 1:9-11

Third Day - Mark 12:35-37

Fourth Day - John 14:15-24

Fifth Day - John 15:18-27

Sixth Day - John 16:12-15

Seventh Day - 1 Corinthians 12:1-6

Eighth Day - Ephesians 2:11-22

Ninth Day - Ephesians 4:1-6


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)