The Glorious Mysteries contemplate the victory of Christ and its fruits: His Resurrection, His Ascension, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Assumption of Mary and her Coronation as Queen of heaven and earth. They are prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays, and they are a beautiful Rosary to pray for the dead, because they speak of resurrection and heaven.
The five Glorious Mysteries are:
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
- The Assumption of Mary
- The Coronation of Mary
The Glorious Mysteries show where the story ends: in the glory of God shared with His people. Mary, assumed and crowned, is the first of the redeemed to enter fully into that glory, and a sign of hope for us.
First Mystery: The Resurrection
Scripture: Matthew 28:1–10; John 20:1–18 · Fruit of the mystery: Faith
He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. (Matthew 28:6)
On the third day the tomb is empty. The risen Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, to the apostles, to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Death has not had the last word. Everything in Christian faith depends on this event (1 Corinthians 15:14). In this mystery we ask for a living faith in the risen Christ, present in His Church and in the Eucharist.
Risen Lord, strengthen my faith and let me live as a witness to your Resurrection.
Then pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be.
Second Mystery: The Ascension
Scripture: Acts 1:6–11; Luke 24:50–53 · Fruit of the mystery: Hope and desire for heaven
And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9)
Forty days after Easter, Jesus blesses His disciples and is taken up into heaven. He does not abandon them; He goes ahead to prepare a place, and He sends them out to the whole world. Our human nature is now with God. This mystery asks for hope: to keep our eyes on heaven while working faithfully on earth.
Lord Jesus, draw my heart to heaven, where you have gone before me.
Then pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be.
Third Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Scripture: Acts 2:1–41 · Fruit of the mystery: Love of God and zeal
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. (Acts 2:4)
The apostles are gathered with Mary in the upper room when the Holy Spirit descends like wind and fire. Frightened men become bold preachers, and three thousand are baptized that day. The same Spirit was given to us at baptism and confirmation. Here we ask for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and a love that wants others to know Christ.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart and kindle in me the fire of your love.
Then pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be.
Fourth Mystery: The Assumption of Mary
Scripture: Revelation 12; Psalm 45 · Fruit of the mystery: Grace of a holy death
The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. (Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus, 1950)
At the end of her earthly life Mary is taken body and soul into heaven. What Christ did for her, He promises to all who belong to Him: the resurrection of the body. The Church defined this ancient belief as dogma in 1950. In this mystery we ask for the grace of a holy death and for confidence that our bodies, too, are destined for glory.
Mary, assumed into heaven, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Then pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be.
Fifth Mystery: The Coronation of Mary
Scripture: Revelation 12:1 · Fruit of the mystery: Trust in Mary’s intercession
And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Revelation 12:1)
Mary is crowned Queen of heaven and earth. Her queenship is not a rival to her Son’s kingship; it is the honor of the Mother of the King, who uses her nearness to Him to help her children. We end the Glorious Mysteries asking for perseverance and for trust in her prayers, as we pray in the Hail, Holy Queen.
Mary, Queen of heaven, intercede for us and bring us safely to your Son.
Then pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be.
How to pray the Glorious Mysteries
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles’ Creed.
- Pray an Our Father, three Hail Marys (for faith, hope and charity) and a Glory Be.
- Announce the first mystery, read its Scripture or meditation above, then pray an Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be. Many add the Fatima Prayer: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.”
- Continue in the same way through the fifth mystery.
- Close with the Hail, Holy Queen and the final prayer.
To be guided bead by bead, use the interactive Rosary. To see which mysteries are prayed today, open today’s Rosary mysteries.
Closing prayer
O God, whose only-begotten Son, by his life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life,
grant, we beseech thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What days are the Glorious Mysteries prayed?
On Wednesdays and Sundays, following the schedule proposed by Pope St. John Paul II in 2002 (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 38). The schedule is a help, not a rule: you may pray any mysteries on any day.
How long does it take to pray the Glorious Mysteries?
About 15 to 20 minutes for all five decades, a little longer if you read the meditations.
What are the other mysteries of the Rosary?
The four sets are the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous Mysteries. See Joyful Mysteries, Sorrowful Mysteries, Luminous Mysteries, or all twenty together on the Mysteries of the Rosary.
More Easter pages
- Rosary for the dead
- Easter 2027
- Catholic Easter prayers
- Divine Mercy Sunday
- The prayers of the Rosary
Sources
- John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae (2002)
- Scripture quotations from the Douay-Rheims Bible (public domain)
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2678 and 2708