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.