Full prayers and meditations for each of the five mysteries, with scripture references.
The Luminous Mysteries — also called the Mysteries of Light — were added to the traditional Rosary by Pope Saint John Paul II in his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae (2002). They illuminate the public ministry of Jesus Christ, from His Baptism in the Jordan to the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Prayed on Thursdays, they remind us that Christ is truly the Light of the world, and that every sacrament, every act of faith, every encounter with the living God is a moment of luminous grace.
The complete Rosary consists of five decades. Each decade begins with the Our Father, followed by ten Hail Marys while meditating on the mystery, then the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer. Begin the entire Rosary with the Opening Prayers and conclude with the Hail Holy Queen.
Our free interactive tool guides you step-by-step through every prayer. No account needed.
✦ Open the Interactive RosaryScripture quoted from the Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), in the public domain.
Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptised by John. As He comes up from the water, the heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him like a dove, and the voice of the Father is heard: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." The Trinity is manifested. This mystery invites us to renew our own baptismal commitments and to open ourselves completely to the action of the Holy Spirit.
“And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him.”— Matthew 3:16
“And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”— Matthew 3:17
“Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sin of the world.”— John 1:29
Read one verse aloud before the 1st, 4th and 7th Hail Mary, then let it stay with you through the decade.
Pray 10 Hail Marys while meditating on this mystery:
At a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, the wine runs out. Mary brings the need to Jesus, saying simply: "They have no wine." She then instructs the servants: "Do whatever he tells you." Jesus transforms six large stone jars of water — about 150 gallons — into the finest wine, revealing His glory for the first time. This mystery teaches us the power of Mary's intercession and the importance of obedience to Christ's word.
“And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine.”— John 2:3
“His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.”— John 2:5
“This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.”— John 2:11
Read one verse aloud before the 1st, 4th and 7th Hail Mary, then let it stay with you through the decade.
Pray 10 Hail Marys while meditating on this mystery:
Jesus travels throughout Galilee preaching the Good News: "The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." He heals the sick, casts out demons, forgives sinners, and calls all people to conversion. This mystery invites us to an ongoing conversion of heart — to turn away from sin and to entrust ourselves entirely to the mercy of God which is always greater than our failures.
“The time is accomplished, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel.”— Mark 1:15
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”— Matthew 5:3
“And when Jesus had seen their faith, he saith to the sick of the palsy: Son, thy sins are forgiven thee.”— Mark 2:5
Read one verse aloud before the 1st, 4th and 7th Hail Mary, then let it stay with you through the decade.
Pray 10 Hail Marys while meditating on this mystery:
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There He is transfigured before them: His face shines like the sun, and His garments become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear and converse with Him. The voice of the Father speaks from a bright cloud: "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." This mystery strengthens our faith in the divinity of Christ and gives us a foretaste of the glory that awaits us.
“And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow.”— Matthew 17:2
“And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”— Matthew 17:4
“And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him.”— Matthew 17:5
Read one verse aloud before the 1st, 4th and 7th Hail Mary, then let it stay with you through the decade.
Pray 10 Hail Marys while meditating on this mystery:
At the Last Supper on the night before He died, Jesus takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to His disciples: "Take and eat; this is my body." Then He takes the cup of wine: "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." This mystery — the source and summit of Christian life — calls us to ever greater reverence and love for the Holy Eucharist.
“And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body.”— Matthew 26:26
“And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.”— Luke 22:19
“He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.”— John 6:55
Read one verse aloud before the 1st, 4th and 7th Hail Mary, then let it stay with you through the decade.
Pray 10 Hail Marys while meditating on this mystery:
Each mystery of the Rosary is traditionally associated with a particular virtue to cultivate through meditation:
The Holy Rosary has four sets of mysteries, each prayed on specific days of the week:
Our free interactive rosary tool guides you step by step through every prayer, with the full text displayed on screen. Available in English and Spanish, with no account required.
Our interactive tool guides you step-by-step through all five the luminous mysteries with the full text of every prayer.
✦ Pray the Thursday Rosary