“See Mary’s total unity with the will of God.  In this respect she bore the consequences of sin in union with her Son, our Lord.  She held her Son, and she is holding the Church.  She is our Mother of Perpetual Help.  She is total, continuous help, always for others.  She is the Mother of All Graces.”   –Servant of God Ida Peterfy (+ 2000)

Intention:   Lord, thank You for blessing America.  Thank You for blessing America!

Monday: New Type of Humanity
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and
the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and
he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom
there will be no end.
—Luke 1:32–33
Reflection:
Humanity was born of Adam and Eve. But God loved us so
much that in order to redeem us, He asked Mary to consent
to becoming the mother of Our Lord, creating a new type
of humanity—one freed from sin. But Mary had to freely
choose it.
Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, Abyss of all Virtues, You came to make us part
of Your new humanity, in which sin and death were vanquished
forever. Give parents the inspiration to instruct their children in
the ways of virtue, and so create more human flourishing and
peace in our world. Amen.

Monday: Magnified With Her Soul
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;/
my spirit rejoices in God my savior./ For he has looked upon
his handmaid’s lowliness;/ behold, from now on will all ages
call me blessed.”
—Luke 1:46–48
Reflection:
After Elizabeth greeted Mary, exclaiming that the babe inside
her womb leapt for joy, Mary’s response is called the Magnificat.
In it, she looked backward to the time of Abraham, and also,
she looked forward to the future when all generations would
call her blessed. She magnified the Lord with her human soul.
Prayer:
Mother Mary, Tower of David, despite a life of poverty and
suffering, you described yourself as eternally blessed because
you gave birth to the Savior of the World. Please pray for me to
birth Christ in my heart, so that I too may be blessed beyond
my wildest dreams. Amen.

Monday: God Born as Outcast
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in
swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was
no room for them in the inn.
—Luke 2:7
Reflection:
There was no place for them in the inn, but there was just
barely a little room in the stable. The inn represents social
respectability; the stable represents the outcast. God Himself
was born as an outcast. Divinity is often found where we least
expect it.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, provide the poorest of the poor in our world—
the faces of Christ – with their daily bread. Amen.

Monday: First Canticle
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation
of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him.
—Luke 2:25
Reflection:
Simeon’s canticle was the first song to celebrate Christ’s being
born on the earth. He sang that Jesus was a light to reveal God
to the nations, and the glory of the people of Israel.
Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, Desire of the Everlasting Hills, please heal all
divisions in the Holy Land so that Christians, Jews and Muslims
may live together in blessed accord, and demonstrate peace to
every corner of the world. May the Holy Land become a land
of healing and harmony. Amen.

Monday: What Must I Do?
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents
did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they
journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives
and acquaintances.
—Luke 2:43–44
Reflection:
At twelve years old, Jesus was using the word “must” with
regard to His duty to His Heavenly Father. He was already
steeling Himself in His human nature, to fulfill the “must” of
His divine nature.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, show me what I “must” do to fulfill Your
will, and steel me to do it through my human nature and
through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help me to endure to
the end. Amen.

“Not only does the Holy Spirit wash the stains from our souls and our minds, but he heals the wounds and bruises of life, he softens the pride that is so often the major cause of our unhappiness and bows our ‘stiff necks’ to the yoke that is sweet and brings us peace.”  –Caryll Houselander (+ 1954)

Intention:   Father, thank You that every part of my day can be exciting when I allow Jesus to step in and be a part of it!

Sunday: Grasp the Significance
1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Our Lord
Scripture:
And if Christ has not been raised, then empty [too] is our
preaching; empty, too, your faith.
—1 Corinthians 15:14
Reflection:
The Rosary proposes that we look past the death and burial of
Our Lord and into His resurrection, to see Him as The Risen
One. It is beneficial to look through the eyes of the apostles and
Mary when seeing Him risen, because then we will grasp the
significance of the resurrection more vividly.
Prayer:
Mother Mary, Cause of our Joy, please let me feel a hint of the
joy that you felt when you found out that your Son had been
raised from the dead. It must have been a Hallelujah moment
of wonder! Amen.

Sunday: Right Hand
2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Our Lord
Scripture:
He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he
had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking
about the kingdom of God.
—Acts 1:3
Reflection:
Jesus ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand
of the Father in glory. He lives to intercede for us to the Father
and to thwart the proud demons. He is on our side.
Prayer:
Jesus, I pray for all those who are down and out in the world,
the rejected and those who are alone. Comfort them, and send
loving people to let them feel how valuable and loved they truly
are. Amen.

Sunday: Closeness and Kindness
3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the
Holy Spirit on Our Lady and the Apostles
Scripture:
There were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying
in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but
they were confused because each one heard them speaking in
his own language.
—Acts 2:5–6
Reflection:
The apostles and Mary were gathered together to pray, like an
obedient family, in the upper room. Kindness and closeness
flourished in the group. The result was the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This should be a model for all of us in
our gatherings as a church.
Prayer:
Lord, raise up godly men and women to proclaim the love and
joy of the gospel with the anointing of the Holy Spirit and help
them to bring a new Pentecost to the church today. Amen.

Sunday: Most Wonderful
of Life’s Goals
4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
of Our Blessed Mother
Quote:
“The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation
in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection
of other Christians.”
—Catechism, No. 966
Reflection:
Mary’s travel into heaven, in glory, was a privilege that all of us
can hope to enjoy, when we leave this earth.
Prayer:
Lord, please motivate me to keep my focus on the most
wonderful of life’s goals: heaven. May it be my guiding star
throughout my life. Amen.

Sunday: Ultimate Glory Attainable
5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Our
Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Quote:
“After speaking of the Church, her origin, mission, and destiny,
we can find no better way to conclude than by looking to
Mary. In her we contemplate what the Church already is in her
mystery on her own ‘pilgrimage of faith,’ and what she will be
in the homeland at the end of her journey. There, ‘in the glory
of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity,’ ‘in the communion
of all the saints,’ the Church is awaited by the one she venerates
as Mother of her Lord and as her own mother.”
—Catechism No. 972
Reflection:
Mary is a symbol for the church of the ultimate glory attainable
for us creatures, and she is our example that we look toward for
the end of times.
Prayer:
Mother Mary, Ark of the Covenant, you are my mother and
my model. Send holy angels to protect all those Christians who
are under attack by the forces of intolerance and hatred. Amen.

“If we turn for a moment to the child’s catechism and think what the ‘gifts and fruits’ of the Holy Spirit listed there are, we can see at once why the inflowing of the Spirit of God gives joy to men even in the midst of suffering and hardship: peace, patience, fortitude, wisdom, understanding, joy itself!”  –Caryll Houselander (+ 1954)

Intention:   Lord, please bless all the Jews and Christians in the world, and keep them safe.  God bless Jerusalem, and all of Israel!

Saturday: In Favor of God’s Will
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be
done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed
from her.
—Luke 1:38
Reflection:
The Father’s plan of redemption all depended on Christ, and
Christ’s coming to earth all depended on Mary. It was a plan
for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in
heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:10). We can imagine how
all creation was somehow touched in some mysterious way by
Mary’s conceiving Jesus Christ in her womb on the day of the
annunciation.
Prayer:
Mary’s “yes” changed the whole course of humanity in favor of
God’s Will. Dear Mary, Queen of Peace, please keep praying
for peace on our earth, so that all mankind hungers and thirsts
for God’s presence within. Amen.

Saturday: Joy of His Presence
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
—Luke 1:44
Reflection:
Jubilation was the emblem of Mary’s greeting to Elizabeth,
when John in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy, because of the
presence of Our Lord in Mary’s womb.
Prayer:
Like John, the presence of Christ inside of me causes me to leap
for joy. Lord Jesus, please aid all those who are lonely to feel the
joy of Your presence today. Help them to know that they are
not alone, nor have they ever been alone! Amen.

Saturday: Good News
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim
to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For
today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who
is Messiah and Lord.”
—Luke 2:10–11
Reflection:
Happiness and joy filled Bethlehem that night when Jesus was
born, while the angels proclaimed to the shepherds that there
was good news of unending joy.
Prayer:
Jesus was born in a lowly stable, and yet the angel proclaimed
that His birth was wonderful, joyful and desirable news. Lord
Jesus, Joy of the Angels, help me to remember that no matter
what is happening in my earthly life, there is always good news:
You are here with me. Amen.

Saturday: Jesus’s destiny
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation
of Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
(And you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of
many hearts may be revealed.
—Luke 2:35
Reflection:
At the presentation in the temple, both joyful and sorrowful
events unfold. Simeon finally was able to see the Christ Child,
as had been foretold to him so long before. But also, he predicted
that Jesus would be a sign of contradiction and that His mother’s
heart would be pierced.
Prayer:
From the time Jesus was born, His destiny was to die for us
all. Heavenly Father, please make all Christians one, as Jesus
prayed for and dearly wanted so long ago. Help them to focus on
the commonalities between them rather than their differences.
Amen.

Saturday: Living the Virtues
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you
not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did
not understand what he said to them.
—Luke 2:49–50
Reflection:
Happiness and sorrow also mix in the events of the finding of
the Child Jesus in the temple. On the one hand, we see the
miracle of Jesus conversing with the scholars of the law, even
at such a young age. On the other hand, we see Mary’s and
St. Joseph’s worry and concern about their Child’s putting the
Father’s business before all other concerns—even them.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, assist me to follow You by living the virtues of
prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance—even when it is
unpopular to do so, or when others simply wouldn’t understand.
Amen.

“Lord, you promise all things to those who ask with faith.  Grant that we may arrive only on the day in which your plan for us is fulfilled.”  –Servant of God Chiara Lubich (+ 2008)

Intention:  Lord, I thank You that wherever I go this day, You and Your angels will be with me.

Friday: Ease the Burden
1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Scripture:
After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and
kneeling, he prayed.
—Luke 22:41
Reflection:
Jesus was tempted mightily by Satan in the Garden of
Gethsemane, to say “no” to the anguish awaiting Him in
His passion and death. But He said “yes” to the Father’s plan,
reversing the “no” that Adam and Eve said by disobeying God
in another garden: the Garden of Eden.
Prayer:
Eternal Father, You see the cross I carry in my own life. I
implore You to ease the burden of that cross, if it be for my
ultimate good; nevertheless, let Your Will be done in my life.
Amen.

Friday: Offer in Unity
2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Scripture:
So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple
cloak. And [Pilate] said to them, “Behold, the man!”
—John 19:5
Reflection:
Our Lord was thrust into the most horrid of physical sufferings
when He was scourged.
Prayer:
Jesus, Your human nature underwent torture in the scourging—
part of the passion that saved us. When I undergo painful trials
in my life, help me remember to offer them up to You in unity
with Your saving passion. Amen.

Friday: He Trusts Me
3rd Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning With Thorns
Scripture:
And they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And
they struck him repeatedly.
—John 19:3
Reflection:
Our Lord was thrown into the most disgraceful of mental and
emotional sufferings when He was crowned with thorns and
mocked, beaten and spat on.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, help me remember that my suffering is
allowed to come to me because You trust me. You trust me to
suffer well and to continue loving You through it all. Amen.

Friday: He Carries it With Me
4th Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
Scripture:
Then [Pilate] handed him over to them to be crucified.
—John 19:16
Reflection:
God humbled Himself unto death, even death on a Cross
(Philippians 2:8). He took this Cross and carried it all the way
to Calvary, in the most humiliating way possible. But He was
willing to do it for you and for me.
Prayer:
Jesus Christ, all that I am and all that I will ever be is in You.
Please help me to know that when I am carrying my cross, we
are yoked together, and so You are carrying it with me. I am
never alone. Amen.

Friday: Jesus’s Love
5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
Scripture:
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and
divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also
took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece
from the top down.
—John 19:23
Reflection:
Jesus died a horrible death—a painful death of asphyxiation
on the Cross. We can imagine being with Mary beneath His
Cross, loving Him, understanding with her how deep Jesus’s
love is for all of us.
Prayer:
Dear Mary, Mystical Rose, please pray for me, that the mystery
of Jesus’s love may be revealed to me more and more, as I
contemplate His saving sacrifice on the Cross. Let the knowledge
of His love fill me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“O Soul of the Mystical Body, who vivifies the humanity of Christ, the head, and every one of his members, reveal to us the profound life and unity of this Body that is glorious in heaven, suffers in purgatory, and struggles here below.  Make us understand that even now we belong to the family of the saints and the family of God, and, despite the diversity of character, have us love one another as Christ loved us.”  –Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. (+ 1964)

Intention:   I praise You, Lord, that You’re greater than any trouble I might encounter in life; you are bigger than any problem I could possibly have.  Jesus, I trust in You!

Thursday: Protection From Evil
1st Luminous Mystery: The Baptism
of Jesus in the Jordan
Scripture:
After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold,
the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove [and] coming upon him.
—Matthew 3:16
Reflection:
In the waters of the Jordan, Christ instituted Christian baptism
and was affirmed as being pleasing to the Father—through the
Father’s own voice.
Prayer:
It is wonderful to reflect that in my baptism, I died to sin
and rose up with Jesus in new life. Jesus, I thank You for the
protection from evil that my baptism has afforded me. I am
grateful to You for the countless negative things that might have
happened that didn’t happen, because of my baptism. Amen.

Thursday: Bridegroom of My Soul
2nd Luminous Mystery: The Wedding at Cana
Scripture:
As a young man marries a virgin,/ your Builder shall marry
you;/ And as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride/ so shall your
God rejoice in you.
—Isaiah 62:5
Reflection:
In the Old Testament, the relationship between God and
Israel was often portrayed as the relationship between the
bridegroom and the bride. Jesus also inferred that there would
be a matrimonial relationship between Himself and His church,
in which He would be the Bridegroom, and His church would
be the bride. In this way, it was appropriate that He would
perform His first miracle at a wedding feast.
Prayer:
Jesus, You are the Bridegroom of my soul. Help me to do as
You have commanded me, for the love of You—inspire me to
serve my brothers and sisters more completely. Amen.

Thursday: Never Take for Granted
3rd Luminous Mystery: The
Proclamation of the Kingdom
Scripture:
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has
shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves
little.
—Luke 7:47
Reflection:
In His public ministry, Jesus usually forgave people their sins
at the same time that He healed them. When He pardoned
the sinful woman, her love for Jesus was magnified through
this forgiveness. Jesus showed her kindness when most others
wouldn’t have given her any acknowledgment at all.
Prayer:
My sweet Jesus, I love You for forgiving me for my sins, both
large and small. I promise to never take for granted Your
sacrifice on the Cross for me. Let me never be presumptuous
toward You. Amen.

Thursday: Crowning Glory
4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
Scripture:
While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his
clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were
conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory
and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in
Jerusalem.
—Luke 9:29–31
Reflection:
When Jesus was transfigured on Mount Tabor, He was joined
by Moses and Elijah, who had laid the groundwork for Him
to complete. According to Jewish belief they would return to
behold the Messiah. Their work already done, they nevertheless
came to consult with Jesus, to encourage Him and to embolden
Him for His journey to the Cross.
Prayer:
Jesus, the redemption You achieved for us by Your death on the
Cross was Your crowning glory. I praise You, along with Moses
and Elijah. Amen.

Thursday: Receiving
Holy Communion
5th Luminous Mystery: The Institution
of the Holy Eucharist
Scripture:
Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave
it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for
you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they
had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
which will be shed for you.”
—Luke 22:19–20
Reflection:
At the Last Supper, Jesus initiated the memorial of His suffering,
death and resurrection: the Holy Eucharist. He wished to leave
the gift of the Holy Eucharist for His disciples and us as a
foretaste of the gifts of heaven.
Prayer:
Blood of Jesus, Pledge of Eternal Life, inspire me to
commemorate the spiritual freedom that You won for me on
Calvary, by receiving You in Holy Communion with reverence
and thanking You afterward. Amen.

“The disciples of Christ were truly recognized by the sign that he himself had given them.  The pagans were forced to exclaim: “Look how they love one another!”  –Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. (+ 1964)

Intention:  I call in healing and righteousness for America, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Wednesday: Emanate the Kindness
1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Our Lord
Scripture:
But at daybreak on the first day of the week they took the spices
they had prepared and went to the tomb.
—Luke 24:1
Reflection:
For two days, the precious Body of Jesus laid on a cool slab of
stone, cold and lifeless Itself. Then all of a sudden on the third
day Jesus came to life again, with all the radiance of the sun.
Prayer:
Just as Christ rose and radiated the majesty of His Glorified
Body, so I am called to emanate the kindness of the Holy Spirit
within me. Dearest Holy Spirit, please shine Your love and joy
through me to everyone I meet. Amen.

Wednesday: Jesus Asked Me
2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Our Lord
Scripture:
According to [the Lord’s] promise we await new heavens and a
new earth in which righteousness dwells.
—2 Peter 3:13
Reflection:
The apostles accompanied Jesus to His ascension, and watched
Him fade from their sight, with joy in their hearts. As the
radiance of His being continued to resonate inside of them,
they were in reverie, until angels came to remind them to keep
focused on the task at hand—that of proclaiming the gospel to
a broken world.
Prayer:
The angels sent the apostles back to the world, back to the cross
and back to their lives of hard work and rejection from the
powers-that-be. They understood that that was the path they
needed to walk, to receive their crowns of glory in heaven.
Heavenly Father, boost my confidence so that I, too, will be
able to do the challenging work of living as Jesus asked me to
live. Amen.

Wednesday: Enlighten Me
3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the
Holy Spirit on Our Lady and the Apostles
Scripture:
And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak
in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
—Acts 2:4
Reflection:
To begin with, Jesus’s apostles were not men of superior
willpower, humility or intuition. But by the power of the
Holy Spirit, the weak became strong and courageous; the proud
became humble. And, the ones who didn’t quite comprehend
Jesus’s divine Sonship turned into those who were absolutely
convinced of it.
Prayer:
I am weak, sometimes proud and often don’t quite understand
the Christian mysteries either. Holy Spirit, enlighten me with
the gifts of Your strength, humility and knowledge. Give me
the right words to share with others that will inspire and benefit
them in their lives. Amen.

Wednesday: Be a Model
4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
of Our Blessed Mother
Scripture:
Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers, and observe
those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you
have in us.
—Philippians 3:17
Reflection:
The Blessed Virgin Mary was Jesus’s first and best disciple; she
survived the death of her Divine Child because she understood
that He was present to her with His love, always.
Prayer:
Mother Mary, Throne of Wisdom, I pray that you will be a
model of sure faith for me, and that I will be able to survive
any trial or tribulation that might come my way through my
friendship and relationship with your Son. Amen.

Wednesday: Wash Their Feet
5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of our
Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Scripture:
Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he
has been proved he will receive the crown of life that [the Lord]
promised to those who love him.
—James 1:12
Reflection:
Jesus gave His disciples two important duties to perform just
before He went to the Cross. The first was to change bread
and wine into His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. The
second was to wash one another’s feet in humble service to one
another. He was modeling humility for us, since humility is the
path towards receiving a crown of glory in heaven.
Prayer:
Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven, Model of Humility and Service,
pray for me to be inspired to receive the Blessed Sacrament
often, and to act out of humility toward my neighbor—in
opposition to the world, which encourages me to act out of
pride and arrogance. I pray to become a star student of yours.
Amen.

“When we are tempted to judge our neighbor severely, to be scandalized or irritated, we should pray and light will shine in us and in the soul for whom we are praying.”  –Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. (+ 1964)

Intention:   I have my trust and confidence in Almighty God.  He is my source.

Tuesday: Generous
1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Scripture:
One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest’s
servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them in reply, “Have
you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to
seize me? Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple
area, yet you did not arrest me; but that the scriptures may be
fulfilled.” And [the disciples] all left him and fled.
—Mark 14:47-50
Reflection:
Jesus had the opportunity to be crowned king during His
public ministry, such as after multiplying the loaves and fishes
and feeding the multitudes. But He resisted efforts to make
Him King, knowing that His Kingship was not here on earth.
However, in Gethsemane, realizing that it was the Father’s will
for Him to be sacrificed for our sins, He did let the crowd have
its ugly way with Him.
Prayer:
Jesus taught that success in this material world should not be our
ultimate goal in life. He taught us to go beyond any considerations
of materiality and comparison with others, and instead to become
generous and close to God, where our true fulfillment lies. Jesus,
please encourage me to offer kindheartedness to others, and
to seek the footprints of God, which I can only find with the
guidance of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Tuesday: Protection from Satan
2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Scripture:
Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you
like wheat.
—Luke 22:31
Reflection:
Peter denied Our Lord three times, and yet Jesus had told him,
“You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church”
(Matthew 16:18). Peter might have been a conundrum to Jesus
and to himself. How could he be such a faithless man, with
such weak courage, and yet have the keys to the Kingdom of
Heaven?
Prayer:
Satan will try to cause me to deny Christ also. Jesus, I ask for
Your protection from his evil plans for me. Please send heavenly
angels to guard me and keep me safe from all harm. Amen.

Tuesday: Stand Firm
3rd Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns
Scripture:
So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion
and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to
them to deal with as they wished.
—Luke 23:25
Reflection:
Jesus often warned the disciples that the same thing that would
happen to Him would happen to them also, as the price of being
His disciple. This world was not ready for what Jesus brought –
His heavenly Kingship. He was ridiculed as a mock king, spat
at and crowned with tortuous thorns.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, Most Obedient, I know that I must stand firm when
I am ridiculed, just as You did, and ask for Your help to weather
the storm. Assist me in facing the future with confidence, and
in knowing that You are with me. Amen.

Tuesday: Turn the Tide
4th Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
Scripture:
Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not
weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children,
for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed
are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that
never nursed.’ At that time people will say to the mountains,
‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are
done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?”
—Luke 23:28–31
Reflection:
It seemed as though all the evil that could be done was done
to Jesus. But He warned the women on the Via Dolorosa that
a time would come when they and their offspring would suffer
even more from evil.
Prayer:
Sin abounds in our society as it never has before. But the Blessed
Mother said at Fatima that praying the Rosary could turn the
tide from evil to goodness and create peace on earth. Heavenly
Father, put an end to all the wars and bring peace to our world.
Amen.

Tuesday: Apparent Failure
5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
Scripture:
At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the
afternoon.
—Mark 15:33
Reflection:
Jesus was a failure by the world’s standards. He was crucified
as a criminal, mocked, scourged, beaten, spat at and even His
clothes were torn from Him. And yet, through this apparent
failure, He redeemed all of the people in the world.
Prayer:
Jesus, when I am going through a time of suffering alone, and
I feel abandoned by my friends, I believe that You are with me.
I am sure that You love me. Thank You for making blessings
come out of it all, in the end. Remind me that I don’t have to
be successful; I only need to be faithful. Amen.

“God wills that we bear with one another in charity.  Bear with one another charitably (Eph 4:2).”  –Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. (+ 1964)

Intention:   Thank You God that You’re in control.  Thank You that You’re working behind the scenes.

Monday: We Have Help
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and
you shall name him Jesus.
—Luke 1:31
Reflection:
When Jesus was conceived in the womb of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, most of the established world was controlled by Rome,
including the Holy Land. It was a pagan culture, far from God.
However, in a little home in Nazareth, Mary and St. Joseph
were leading God-filled lives and preparing for the holiest birth
of all time.
Prayer:
We live in a world that is quite secularized in our times, too.
Fortunately, though, we have Mary’s example of how to live
a God-centered life, and we have Jesus, the Father, the Holy
Spirit, the angels, the saints and the Catholic Church. Jesus,
Mary and St. Joseph, pray for me to be motivated to do my
best in life, so that I naturally want to do things in an excellent,
patient and helpful way. Amen.

Monday: Gift of Knowledge
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
Live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us
as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.
—Ephesians 5:2
Reflection:
The angel never suggested that Mary go to Elizabeth to aid her
in her time of need; Mary intuited it herself, because she was
so willing to lend a hand where she was needed.
Prayer:
All it takes for me to be like Mary is to perceive the needs
around me, and then offer assistance without being asked. Holy
Spirit, entrust me with Your gift of knowledge, that I may
discern more easily the necessities of others. Give me Your holy
wisdom. Amen.

Monday: Offer My Fiat
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the
whole world should be enrolled.
—Luke 2:1
Reflection:
Because Caesar required them to go to Bethlehem to be
enrolled, Mary and St. Joseph had to take the long tiring trip
while she was nine-months’ pregnant. The trek was arduous,
but it resulted in Our Lord’s being born in Bethlehem, as was
predicted in sacred scripture. God is always in control, which
we hardly ever understand at the time.
Prayer:
I can imitate Mary by performing the duties of my state in
life, focusing on the present moment and—when required by
charity—maybe taking some long detours. All I have to do is
give these diversions my fiat—my “yes”. Dear God, I say “yes”
to Your will. Please work through me. Amen.

Monday: Minimize Any Damage
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold,
this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and
to be a sign that will be contradicted.”
—Luke 2:34
Reflection:
Mary was thankful for her healthy Divine Baby Boy, and she
was happy to present Him to God in the temple. She pondered
the ominous prophecy of Simeon long afterward.
Prayer:
Sometimes I get a feeling of foreboding in my life. This is
a feeling that Mary must have gotten, too, when Simeon
prophesied over her divine Son. Lord, please minimize any
damage that may be coming into my life when I feel such
apprehension, and write straight with crooked lines as only You
can. Amen.

Monday: God’s Plan
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
Trust in God at all times, my people!/ Pour out your hearts to
God our refuge!
—Psalm 62:9
Reflection:
St. Joseph was obedient by taking his little family to Jerusalem
for the Passover. Jesus was obedient to His Heavenly Father by
staying at the temple, learning, teaching and conversing with
the doctors of the law.
Prayer:
Mother Mary and St. Joseph, you understood how to trust God,
despite the appearance of a disaster looming upon you. Please
pray for me to trust in God’s plan as I live my own little life,
too. Amen.

“We are truly brothers and sisters of Christ, as he himself said: My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it.”  –Venerable Lucia of Fatima, O.C.D. (+ 2005)

Intention:   Lord, please bless the world with peace on earth. I expect the earth to be at peace – true peace, like that which we experience on Christmas Day, in Jesus’ name and in His mighty power!  I thank You God ahead of time for this!

Sunday: Follow in His Footsteps
1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection
Scripture:
So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple
whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord
from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”
—John 20:2
Reflection:
Even though Jesus had told His disciples that He would suffer
and be killed at the hands of men and would rise again, when
they discovered the empty tomb, they were dumbfounded,
because their faith was so weak and empty.
Prayer:
Jesus, I understand that through Your resurrection from the
dead, You promised eternal life to all of us, too, who would
follow in Your footsteps. Thank You for preparing a place for
me. Amen.

Sunday: Jesus Had to Leave
2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension
Scripture:
So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up
into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they
went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked
with them and confirmed the word through accompanying
signs.
—Mark 16:19–20
Reflection:
When Jesus ascended into heaven, His disciples were filled with
joy even though their Friend had gone away. They saw that God
had a purpose, that He was truly present with them and that He
was going to send the Advocate to assist them.
Prayer:
Jesus had to leave this world so that He could send the Holy
Spirit to be with us. Heart of Jesus, Salvation of Those Who
Trust in Thee, I do love You, above all other things and people.
Bestow upon me eternal life with You, after I die. Amen.

Sunday: Elation
3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the
Holy Spirit on Our Lady and the Apostles
Scripture:
I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts;
I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
—Jeremiah 31:33
Reflection:
Pentecost made all the difference to the apostles. They were
filled with the Holy Spirit, as Jesus had promised they would be.
The Holy Spirit filled them with many gifts, including courage
and boldness, to preach and prophecy.
Prayer:
Having been through the desolation of Good Friday, the apostles
understood their utter dependence on Jesus; and on Pentecost,
they believed that He was with them in the Holy Spirit, and
their hearts soared with elation. Dearest Jesus, please fill me
with the sure knowledge that You are unquestionably with me,
and that I am no longer alone. Amen.

Sunday: Singular Grace
4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
of Our Blessed Mother
Quote:
“By her complete adherence to the Father’s will, to his Son’s
redemptive work, and to every prompting of the Holy Spirit,
the Virgin Mary is the Church’s model of faith and charity.”
—Catechism, no. 967
Reflection:
Mary was the one chosen to carry the exalted responsibility of
bearing the Christ-Child. Still, though, she was just a creature,
and as unable to transport herself to heaven as any one of us
would be. It was a singular grace of God that accomplished her
assumption, because of her complete devotion to God for her
entire life.
Prayer:
Mary was assumed into heaven because she was so much like
Jesus; she loved God very deeply, like Jesus did. Dear Mary,
Mother of Christ, intercede for me, to inspire me to model
myself after you, a creature like myself, whom I can imitate.
Amen.

Sunday: Obedience and Faithfulness
5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of our
Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Quote:
“She is ‘clearly the mother of the members of Christ’… since she
has by her charity joined in bringing about the birth of believers
in the Church.”
—Catechism, no. 963
Reflection:
Mary cooperated so obediently and faithfully with God’s plan
to save us that she helped to restore our souls to everlasting life
through her human efforts, which is why she is a mother to all
of us.
Prayer:
Dear Mary, Mother of Divine Grace, pray for me to become
obedient and faithful to God, as you were, and make me pure
of heart, and quick to do God’s will in my life. Amen.

“We see that devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary must be established in the world by means of a true consecration, through conversion and self-giving.  –Venerable Lucia of Fatima, O.C.D. (+ 2005)

Intention:   Lord, please make of America a nation that becomes like a shining city on a hill for the rest of the world, and inspires the world to become more just, kind, peaceful, free, and resistant of Communism. I thank You God ahead of time for this.

Saturday: Accompany Me
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you
have found favor with God.”
—Luke 1:30
Reflection:
Mary was probably just puttering around her house, working,
doing her chores and praying as usual, when suddenly an angel
appeared to her and said, “Hail, full of grace!” (see Luke 1:28).
Mary was startled at such a greeting, as anyone would be. But
it was a magnificent acknowledgment from the angel that Mary
was grace-filled, because of her deep love for God.
Prayer:
Like Mary, I can live my little life, whether I work outside
the home or in the home, and love God with deliberate focus
and trust that that is what God will see when He looks at
me. Heavenly Father, please accompany me and guide me
throughout my daily chores, tasks and the duties of my vocation
in life. Amen.

Saturday: See Jesus in Everyone
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not
pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its
own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over
injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with
the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things.
—1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Reflection:
Although Mary had just conceived Our Lord in her womb, she
rushed out with haste to visit Elizabeth, whom she recognized
was in the hour of her need, because of her late-in-life pregnancy.
Mary realized that lending a hand to someone in need was more
important than anything else.
Prayer:
I must love everyone else – even those people I find distasteful
in some way – by seeing Jesus in them, and treating them as I
would Him. Lord Jesus, help me to do this, in order to care for
the least of my brothers and sisters. Help me to remember Saint
Mother Teresa’s five-fingered gospel: “You did it for me” (see
Matthew 25:40). Amen.

Saturday: Mary and
Joseph: Role Models
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped
in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
—Luke 2:12
Reflection:
How dark and dank that cold December cave must have been,
especially at night, when Mary bore her Babe. How cold she
must have been. How frightened St. Joseph must have been.
But they brought the Savior into the world that night, despite
their conditions of hardship, and no one knew about it except
the shepherds.
Prayer:
I can take Mary and Joseph as my role models, and love God,
despite the hardships that may come my way. Holy Spirit, give
me direction on how to do this, in whatever situation I find
myself. Amen.

Saturday: Purify Vices
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
It is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the
womb shall be consecrated to the Lord.”
—Luke 2:23
Reflection:
While the Christian Church hadn’t yet come into being, Mary
and St. Joseph presented Jesus in the temple as directed by
the law and the prophets. They followed the laws of Judaism
faithfully and taught Jesus to do so as well.
Prayer:
Jesus taught us about treating each other with deep, abiding
love. I can continue to learn how to do this through prayer,
through reading the gospels and through participating in the
Sacraments of the church. Heavenly Father, please purify me of
my vices in this way. Amen.

Saturday: Jesus Seeks Me
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
How lovely your dwelling,/ O Lord of hosts!/ My soul yearns
and pines/ for the courts of the Lord./ My heart and flesh cry
out/ for the living God.
—Psalm 84:2–3
Reflection:
When we seek for Jesus, we will find Him in little things: a
sweet smile we encounter on our way; a meeting of minds
with a friend over coffee; a simple gesture of kindness, such
as being offered a glass of cold water. Behind all these human
acts of generosity is Jesus, who is actually their author and their
perfecter.
Prayer:
The ironic thing, Jesus, is that You came into the world to look
for me. I thought that I was the one who was looking for You.
Thank You! Amen.