"Behold
the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word"
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(Mondays
& Saturdays)
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The
First Joyful Mystery
THE ANNUNCIATION
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The
time for the Incarnation is at hand. Of all women God prepared
Mary from her conception to be the Mother of the Incarnate Word.
The Angel Gabriel announces: "Hail, full of grace! The
Lord is with thee." Mary wonders at this salutation.
The Angel assures her: "Fear not... you shall conceive
in your womb, and give birth to a Son." Mary is troubled
for she has made a vow of virginity. |
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Angel answers that she will conceive by the power of the Holy
Spirit, and her Son will be called the Son of God. The Incarnation
awaits Mary's consent. Mary answers: "Behold the handmaid
of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word."
The Word was made flesh and dwelt among among us. |
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The
Second Joyful Mystery
THE VISITATION
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Mary's
cousin Elizabeth conceived a son in her old age . . . for nothing
is impossible with God. Charity prompts Mary to hasten to visit
Elizabeth in the hour of her need. The journey to Elizabeth's
home is about eighty miles requiring four or five days. Though
long and arduous, the journey is joyous, for Mary bears with
her the Incarnate Word.
At Mary's salutation, John the Baptist is sanctified in his
mother's womb. Elizabeth exclaims: "Blessed are you
among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
"How have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should
come to me?" |
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"Blessed is she who believed that the Lord's words to her
would be fulfilled."
Mary replies: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit finds joy in God my Savior." Mary serves
her cousin in all humility for three months until the birth
of John the Baptist. |
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"Blessed
is she who believed that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled" |
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In
the stillness of the night, the Savior is born in a cave, Mary remaining
a Virgin.
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The
Third Joyful Mystery
THE
NATIVITY
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Joseph
and Mary go to Bethlehem to comply with the decree of Caesar
Augustus. The hour for Mary to give birth is near, but there
is no room in the inn. In the stillness of the night, the Savior
is born in a cave, Mary remaining a Virgin. She wraps Him in
swaddling clothes and lays Him in a manger. In unspeakable joy
Mary gathers to her bosom the Flower of her virginity. Jesus
enters the world in poverty to teach the lesson of detachment
from earthly things. The angel announces to the shepherds: "Today
there is born to you in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ
the Lord." |
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angelic chorus sing: "Glory to God in the highest, and
peace to His people on earth." The shepherds come to the
stable to pay homage to the Infant Jesus. The Magi come to adore
the Holy Child and offer Him gifts |
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The
Fourth Joyful Mystery
THE
PRESENTATION
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| Observing
the law of Moses they take Jesus to the temple to present Him
to the Lord. According to the Law the firstborn male child of
every family should be consecrated to the Lord. Mary offers
her Son to the Father, then ransoms Him back at the price paid
by the poor. Jesus is not subject to the law of Moses, yet to
teach obedience, submits to it. Mary is not subject to the law
of purification, yet in humility she submits to it. God had
revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had
seen the Messiah. Recognizing the Child, he prays: |
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you can dismiss your servant in peace. You have fulfilled your
word. "This Child is destined to be the downfall and rise
of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed." And to
Mary Simeon reveals: "And your own soul a sword shall
pierce." After they fulfill all the Law requires they
return to Nazareth. |
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God
had revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen
the Messiah |
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On
the third day they find Jesus in the Temple among the Doctors who
were astonished at His wisdom.
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The
Fifth Joyful Mystery
THE
FINDING OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
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When
Jesus is twelve years old, He goes with His parents to Jerusalem
for the feast of the Passover. After the feast of the Passover,
Joseph and Mary unknowingly set out for Nazareth without Jesus.
At the end of the first day's journey they discover Jesus is
missing. His parents return immediately looking for Him. This
loss causes grief and anxiety beyond our understanding to the
hearts of Mary and Joseph. On the third day they find Jesus
in the Temple among the Doctors who were astonished at His wisdom.
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| Mary:
"Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have
been searching for you in sorrow." Jesus: "Why
did you search for me? Did you not know that I must be about
my Father's business?" |
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