Traditionally Wednesday and Sunday
Mysteries of the Rosary
Glorious Mysteries
The Glorious Mysteries contemplate Christ's Resurrection and the hope of eternal life.
In brief
The five Glorious Mysteries are the Resurrection, Ascension, Descent of the Holy Spirit, Assumption of Mary and Coronation of Mary. Catholics traditionally pray them on Wednesdays and Sundays.
What they contemplate
The heart of these mysteries
The Glorious Mysteries begin with the Resurrection of Jesus and look toward the fulfilment of Christian hope. They move through Christ's victory, His Ascension, Pentecost and the Church's contemplation of Mary's participation in the glory of her Son.
Spiritual focus
What to bring into prayer
These mysteries invite hope. Death, separation and suffering are not treated as the final reality. The Resurrection of Christ stands at the centre, while the later mysteries contemplate what His victory means for the Church and eternal life.
Scripture & Tradition
How these mysteries relate to the Bible
The Resurrection, Ascension and Pentecost are narrated directly in Scripture. The Assumption and Coronation of Mary are Catholic doctrines and devotional mysteries understood through the Church's Tradition together with biblical themes and imagery rather than as events directly narrated in a single biblical passage.
Contemplate
The five Glorious Mysteries
Announce each mystery, pause to contemplate it, then pray the decade while keeping the mystery before your mind.
Mystery 1 of 5
The Resurrection
Luke 24:1–12
The tomb is found empty and the disciples begin to encounter the reality that Jesus has risen.
Pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys while contemplating this mystery, then the Glory Be. The Fatima Prayer may also be added devotionally.
Mystery 2 of 5
The Ascension
Acts 1:6–11
The risen Christ ascends to the Father and sends His disciples to continue His mission.
Pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys while contemplating this mystery, then the Glory Be. The Fatima Prayer may also be added devotionally.
Mystery 3 of 5
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1–4
The Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples at Pentecost and empowers the Church's mission.
Pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys while contemplating this mystery, then the Glory Be. The Fatima Prayer may also be added devotionally.
Mystery 4 of 5
The Assumption of Mary
Revelation 12:1
Catholics contemplate Mary's sharing in the glory of her risen Son. Scripture does not narrate the Assumption directly; this passage belongs to the biblical imagery used in the Church's Marian reflection.
Pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys while contemplating this mystery, then the Glory Be. The Fatima Prayer may also be added devotionally.
Mystery 5 of 5
The Coronation of Mary
Revelation 12:1
Catholics contemplate Mary honoured as Queen in complete dependence upon the kingship and victory of Christ.
Pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys while contemplating this mystery, then the Glory Be. The Fatima Prayer may also be added devotionally.
Practical guide
How to pray the Glorious Mysteries
The mystery changes, but the structure of each decade stays simple.
Announce
Name the mystery and pause briefly to bring the event before your mind.
Our Father
Pray one Our Father at the beginning of the decade.
Ten Hail Marys
Pray ten Hail Marys while continuing to meditate on the mystery.
Glory Be
Conclude the decade with praise of the Trinity, then move to the next mystery.
Questions
Common questions about the Glorious Mysteries
Short answers to the things people most often need clarified before praying.
What are the five Glorious Mysteries?
They are the Resurrection, the Ascension, the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Assumption of Mary and the Coronation of Mary.
What days are the Glorious Mysteries prayed?
They are traditionally prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Are all five Glorious Mysteries directly described in the Bible?
No. Scripture directly narrates the Resurrection, Ascension and Pentecost. The Assumption and Coronation are contemplated through Catholic Tradition together with biblical themes and imagery.
Why are the Glorious Mysteries important?
They focus the Rosary on Christ's victory over death, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the Christian hope of sharing eternally in God's life.
Keep praying
Explore the other mysteries
The four groups together move through the Incarnation, public ministry, Passion, Resurrection and glory of Christ.
Ready to pray?
Sacred Reply can guide you through the Rosary one bead at a time.
Return to the main Rosary page, choose these mysteries and begin the interactive prayer mode.
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