I wanted to start a series on some simple ways to meditate on the mysteries of the rosary, because it has been such an efficacious prayer in my life. In times of anxiety, depression, urgent prayer needs, needing comfort, it has been the most powerful prayer, save going to mass. The rosary consists of “mysteries” of the life of Jesus found in the gospels. There are the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and, added by St. John Paul II in 2002, the Luminous (“Full of Light”) Mysteries. Praying and meditating on one set of mysteries might take you 20-30 minutes depending on your style (the best word I could think of 🧐). So, ideally, as you pray a decade (5 decades in a rosary) consisting of an Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s and the Glory Be, you are supposed to meditate on that mystery, while praying the prayers. There are some great rosary meditation books out there, and I used to use some in my pre-busy mom days, but what works best for me now, is to pick something about that event to pray through, think about, something I am drawn to. The Joyful mysteries, consist of the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56) The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) The Presentation (Luke 2:22-40) and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)
When I pray the Joyful mysteries and meditate on the Annunciation, I think about the following: The beginning of God’s call on Mary’s life being answered by her total surrender “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done unto me according to your word.” And asking for the grace to respond to all God asks of me in the same way. If you read the passage, there are many things you could choose to meditate on, but this is the verse I personally dwell on the most in this mystery. With each “Hail Mary” I am praying with her, and asking for her to help me to surrender, with each “Our Father” surrendering to His Will, with each Glory Be, giving my life for His glory. God bless you.
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