“Jesus, I trust in you.”  –Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (+ 1938)

I am learning to trust Jesus with every day of my life, and also with my death, too.

Intention:   Please bless us with a President and Justice Department which are non-partisan in their actions. I thank You God ahead of time for this.

Sunday: My Resurrection
1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection
Scripture:
Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week,
they came to the tomb. They were saying to one another, “Who
will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”
When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled
back; it was very large. On entering the tomb they saw a young
man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they
were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You
seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is
not here. Behold, the place where they laid him. But go and
tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee;
there you will see him, as he told you.’”
—Mark 16:2–7
Reflection:
Even when we mourn our dead, we need to think of the
resurrection that we anticipate for them, and then sing,
“Alleluia!”
Prayer:
Lord, help me to hope in my own resurrection, which is
promised by the resurrection of Jesus Christ—if I live Jesus’s
commandments and believe in Him. Amen.

Sunday: Walk With Holy Spirit
2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension
Scripture:
While meeting with [the apostles], [Jesus] enjoined them not
to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the
Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized
with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy
Spirit.”
—Acts 1:4–5
Reflection:
A priest, religious or layperson in love with God brings
compassion and holiness to others wherever they go, because
they walk with the Holy Spirit so much.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, Infinite Goodness, assist me to rise above the
negativity in the world, and to freely throw myself into Your
arms, as I embrace Your will for my life and Your Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Sunday: Enliven the Church
3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the
Holy Spirit on Our Lady and the Apostles
Scripture:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit.
—Romans 15:13
Reflection:
In the upper room at the Last Supper, Jesus promised the
disciples that the Holy Spirit would come. Later on, after Jesus
was crucified, in the same upper room with Mary present, the
promise was fulfilled, and the disciples became apostles: they
were filled with the power, love, joy and peace of the Spirit –
Jesus’s Spirit.
Prayer:
Mother Mary, Virgin Most Powerful, pray for the church in
this modern time, that the Holy Spirit would enliven Her and
encourage Her to grow and flourish across the globe. Amen.

Sunday: Shower Me
4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
Scripture:
For see, the winter is past,/ the rains are over and gone./ The
flowers appear on the earth,/ the time of pruning the vines
has come,/ and the song of the dove is heard in our land./ The
fig tree puts forth its figs,/ and the vines, in bloom, give forth
fragrance./ Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come!
—Song of Songs 2:11–13
Reflection:
The assumption image of Mary that the Oriental Christians
prefer is her dormition: that sweet sleep of death where Jesus
is nearer to her heart and soul than anyone else could be, in
heaven. Western Christians prefer the image of her dying, then
rising up to heaven, body and soul, the most beautiful creature
God ever made. Either way, let us follow her up to heaven when
our time comes, with joy, and with trust in the process.
Prayer:
Dear Mother Mary, thank you for going up to heaven first.
You paved the way for me to follow. When I get there, Lord,
please welcome me with open arms and shower me with Your
love. Amen.

Sunday: Supernatural Peace
5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of our
Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Scripture:
Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;/ put
on the splendor of glory from God forever:/ Wrapped in the
cloak of justice from God,/ bear on your head the mitre/ that
displays the glory of the eternal name./ For God will show all
the earth your splendor.
—Baruch 5:1–3
Reflection:
The coronation of Mary is the fusion of the whole Rosary
into one. From the grand mission that God entrusted to Mary
at the annunciation, and through every other mystery we
have considered, God’s everlasting plan of salvation has shone
through. In this one, we are reunified with the majesty of
heaven.
Prayer:
Oh, Mother Mary, Queen of Angels, your experience highlights
for us the glory that awaits us in heaven, where there is no
misery, but where we will experience supernatural peace! Please
pray for us to go there after we pass from this life. Amen.

“It seems to me that I have found my heaven on earth, because my heaven is you, my God, and you are in my soul.  You in me, and I in you — may this be my motto.”  –Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity (+1906

We each must find God and cling to Him, to have a semblance of heaven on earth.

Intention:  Please bless us with a Constitution that functions as it was intended to function. I thank You, God, ahead of time for this.

Saturday: Redeemed
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
He had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might
be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the
sins of the people.
—Hebrews 2:17
Reflection:
Mary accepted the call to divine maternity, becoming the
mother of God, so that all of us could become adopted children
of God through her Son Jesus Christ, through His sacrifice on
the Cross.
Prayer:
Dear Blessed Mother, I shall be ever grateful to you, who
sacrificed the quality of your life so that we could be redeemed
through your Son. Pray for me to acquire the virtues of charity
and humility, and so follow in your footsteps and in the footsteps
of Jesus. Amen.

Saturday: Reunion
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one
has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you,
so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the
bond of perfection.
—Colossians 3:12–14
Reflection:
As we meditate on this mystery, we may realize that in emulating
Mary’s charitable visit to Elizabeth, we too are called to reunion
with everyone with whom we have ties – ties of being our
relatives, ties of being our neighbors, ties of being in the same
nation and ties of even just being in the same world. We are
called to unity and charity with everyone, even those who
consider themselves our “enemies.” Even if we never even speak
to them again in this life, we can at least pray for them.
Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, Full of Goodness and Love, help me to attain
the lofty and worthwhile goal of having universal charity for
everyone—through forgiveness if necessary—and of praying for
them (even my enemies). Amen.

Saturday: Jesus Seeks Us
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them
the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem
and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you
have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him
homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And
behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star.
—Matthew 2:7–10
Reflection:
The magi represent all the peoples of the earth – Europeans,
Americans, Asians, Africans, Australians – all who seek Jesus
from afar to come bend their knees to his manger in adoration,
as He seeks them afar with his eyes as a Babe, as if looking
deeply into the future and deeply into the past, to envelop them
all with His love and to give them the gift of His forgiveness
and redemption.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, please be with all the babies in the world, and
give them Your joy and love. Give their parents the grace of
knowing You and loving You, so they can bring their children
up with Christian values. Amen.

Saturday: Jesus Came for All
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
Devote your hearts and souls to seeking the Lord your God.
—1 Chronicles 22:19
Reflection:
In this mystery, we contemplate the Baby Jesus being offered
at the temple in accordance with Jewish Law. It was as if the
Old Testament was meeting the New, that day. He came
for the Israelites as well as the Gentiles, kings as well as
peasants—everybody.
Prayer:
Lord, I pray for all people who are seeking You but do not know
how to find You. Aid them in locating You, Jesus—their true
answer in life. Amen.

Saturday: Wisdom and Knowledge
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart.
Though you may have to reprove your fellow man, do not incur
sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge
against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor
as yourself. I am the Lord.
—Leviticus 19:17–18
Reflection:
Jesus, only twelve-years-old, disappeared and was found three
days later amongst the doctors of the Old Testament Law. They
probably discussed the above scripture from Leviticus and many
other critical passages from the scrolls of the Law and Prophets.
It was a considerable honor to hold discussions with the doctors
of the Law at that time, and so all the more special for a twelve-year-old boy to be holding them. In those days, wisdom and
knowledge were held in very high esteem.
Prayer:
Lord, I pray for all those involved in research and education of
intellectual fields of study, that their efforts may lead to a kinder,
healthier and more humane society. Amen.

“We must love God in the way that pleases him, and not just in a way that suits ourselves.  God wishes people to empty themselves of everything and to be filled with his divine love.”  –Saint Alphonsus Liguori  (+ 1787) 

Our crosses help us to mortify ourselves of ego and pride, which would get in the way of loving and forgiving others (and ourselves).

Intention:   Lord, please bless us with a society that seeks Your face and prays to You earnestly.  I thank You God ahead of time for this.

Friday: Press On
1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Scripture:
At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as
against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after
day I sat teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me.
But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets
may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
—Matthew 26:55–56
Reflection:
During His agony in the garden, Jesus’s passion was no longer
a distant foreboding image, but an imminent reality for Him.
And to top it all off, He knew He would be abandoned by His
disciples. This is why His sweat became drops of blood.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Most Patient, when You allow me to suffer, help me
imagine the sight of You in the garden, so that I may press on,
and exercise my will to accept what is happening as completely
as I possibly can, to be in solidarity with You. Amen.

Friday: Mortify Passions
2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Scripture:
And the whole people said in reply, “His blood be upon us and
upon our children!”
—Matthew 27:25
Reflection:
Even if we are not chosen for martyrdom by the shedding of
our blood, we are always called to mortify ourselves through
the self-restraint of our appetites and emotions – a rigorous
self-discipline of the temptations of life. In this way, we can be
in solidarity with Jesus as He suffered at the pillar, each in our
own little way.
Prayer:
Jesus, I walk the Way of the Cross when I mortify my passions.
As I take each step, show me the way to become more like You,
inch by inch, and minute by minute. Amen.

Friday: Tremendous Responsibility
3rd Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning With Thorns
Scripture:
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned him,
“Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” And
when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no
answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many
things they are testifying against you?” But he did not answer
him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
—Matthew 27:11–14
Reflection:
As we reflect on this mystery, let us also reflect on the serious
duty that comes with the gifts of abundant talents, intelligence
and wealth. With tremendous gifts, come tremendous
responsibilities.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, please assist me to utilize all my gifts, talents and
abilities for the benefit of all, without ego or pride on my part,
but only with consideration for the contribution I can make to
my fellow humans and to the world. Amen.

Friday: Grateful for Crosses
4th Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
Scripture:
The Lord has heard my weeping./ The Lord has heard my
prayer;/ the Lord takes up my plea.
—Psalm 6:9–10
Reflection:
Life as a human being is characterized by heavy burdens and
difficult obstacles along the broken road – and not infrequently,
tears and grinding of teeth. But we must be grateful for each of
the crosses that we carry, for without them, we would eventually
succumb to the ever-present temptations of pride and apathy
and become someone we would never want to become.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for my cross. It helps me to attain
humility, gentleness of heart and generosity toward my fellow
man. It assists me to learn acceptance of Your will. And last, but
certainly not least, it helps me to become more and more like
Your precious Son, my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Friday: Hour of My Death
5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
Scripture:
It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.
The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of
the Jews.” With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on
his right and one on his left.
—Mark 15:25–27
Reflection:
From His first baby smile that illuminated the world with joy,
to His last dying breath that was filled with pain and suffering,
the Lord Jesus’s entire life is intricately woven into our own
experience of life, also.
Prayer:
Dear Blessed Mother, Mirror of Justice, you were there when
your Baby Jesus took His first breath, and you were there when
He took His last one. I love you; through your intercession
please be with me now, and at the hour of my death, also.
Amen.

“The soul can feed only on God; only God can suffice it; only God can fill it; only God can satiate its hunger.  Its God is absolutely necessary to it.”  –Saint John Vianney (+ 1859) 

God came down to be with us, in Jesus, because we needed Him so much.

Intention:   Lord, please help us to resist communism and totalitarianism. I thank You God ahead of time for this.

Thursday: Fire of the Spirit
1st Luminous Mystery: The Baptism
of Jesus in the Jordan
Scripture:
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who
is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry
his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.
—Matthew 3:11
Reflection:
Our baptism consecrates us to God in a special and enduring
way and fills us with the Holy Spirit. That Holy Spirit within
us can light up the whole world.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I know that You are flowing through me because
of my baptism. Please light the world ablaze with the fire of the
Spirit—the fire of truth and love, the fire of justice and peace.
Amen.

Thursday: Turn to Mary for Faith
2nd Luminous Mystery: The Wedding Feast at Cana
Scripture:
When the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,
without knowing where it came from (although the servers
who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the
bridegroom.
—John 2:9
Reflection:
The water was turned into wine through Jesus’s miracle.
However, the waiters had to first fetch the water and fill the
jars. This demonstrates to us that miraculous things can happen
when we follow God’s commands for us.
Prayer:
Blessed Mother Mary, you told the waiters to do whatever Jesus
told them to do. You had complete faith in Him. And so, you
are the one to whom I should turn for help in increasing my
faith when it is weak. Please pray for me to strengthen my trust
in Jesus. Amen.

Thursday: Kingdom of God
3rd Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation
of the Kingdom of Heaven
Scripture:
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing
every disease and illness.
—Matthew 9:35
Reflection:
Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom of God is within us; this
means that Jesus is inside of us, closer to us than our own breath.
The Angel Gabriel told Mary that Jesus’s Kingdom would have
no end, and so it is also eternal.
Prayer:
I have the Kingdom of God inside of me, always there to help
me in my temporal needs. I must remember that it is there,
though, and respond to it responsibly and sincerely. Lord Jesus,
King of the Patriarchs, remind me to always pray in Your name.
Amen.

Thursday: Jesus in the Spirit
4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
Scripture:
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged
them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man
has been raised from the dead.”
—Matthew 17:9
Reflection:
When Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John,
His face shone like the sun (see Matthew 17:2). He was beyond
beautiful in appearance. And then that astounding voice from
the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased; listen to Him” (Matthew 17:5). The transfiguration was
filled with beauty, wonder and awe.
Prayer:
How I wish that I could see my dear Jesus in His transfigured,
glorious state. Oh, to see not as through a mirror indistinctly,
but instead face to face, as St. Paul said (see 1 Corinthians 13:12).
Jesus, please give me a glimpse of You as You truly are in the
Spirit. Amen.

Thursday: With Us Always
5th Luminous Mystery: The Institution
of the Holy Eucharist
Scripture:
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share
it amongst yourselves; for I tell you [that] from this time on I
shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of
God comes.”
—Luke 22:17–18
Reflection:
Jesus loved His own in the world, and He loved them to the
end (see John 13:1). He told them that He would be with them
always (see Matthew 28:20). Out of His enormous love for us,
He instituted the Holy Eucharist, so that we could eat and drink
His Body and Blood, and so, be nearer to Him.
Prayer:
I thank You, Jesus, The Mighty God, for giving Yourself
to me in the Blessed Sacrament. I confide these cares and
concerns to You, since I know that You are with me now:
___________________. Amen.

“In Mary alone, by the grace of Jesus Christ, man is made godlike as far as human nature is capable of it.”  –Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort (+ 1716)

Our Lady is only a creature, oh but what a creature she is!  We do not worship her, but yes, we do venerate her and seek to imitate her, because she so closely imitates Jesus.

Intention:   In Jesus’ name, please bless America with a moral, law-abiding, and God-honoring citizenry, so that we are worthy of self-governance.

Wednesday: Message to Jesus
1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Our Lord
Scripture:
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the
mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might
go and anoint him.
—Mark 16:1
Reflection:
When the women came to anoint Jesus’s body with the spices,
they were astonished and sad to see that the tomb was empty.
But, a young man there in white told them, “He has risen.”
Prayer:
Jesus, I try to imagine what the women must have felt like
when the youth told them that You had risen. They must have
thought they were in a dream. And then You appeared to them
later! Receive my message to You, as if I was there with them:
______________. Amen.

Wednesday: Orphan
2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Our Lord
Scripture:
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while
the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because
I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am
in my Father and you are in me and I in you.
—John 14:18–20
Reflection:
Jesus taught His disciples for forty days and showed them how
the scriptures applied to Him. Then He assigned them the task
of witnessing to others about Him, and teaching them about His
saving mercy. He then ascended back to the heights of heaven.
Prayer:
Do I feel a little bit like an orphan when I think about Christ’s
leaving the earth to return to heaven? I sing to Him, Father of
the World to Come, chant His praises and ask Mary, Refuge of
Sinners, to be a mother to me, now – through her intercession.
Amen.

Wednesday: Love and Joy Flow
3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the
Holy Spirit on Our Lady and the Apostles
Scripture:
[Peter] testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting
them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those
who accepted his message were baptized, and about three
thousand persons were added that day. They devoted themselves
to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the
breaking of the bread and to the prayers.
—Acts 2:40–42
Reflection:
The apostles and Mary became filled with the Holy Spirit in the
upper room, and then went out into the streets and proclaimed
Christ to everyone there, speaking in different languages to all
the peoples from different lands. Three thousand people were
converted and baptized as a result.
Prayer:
I imagine what it must have been like to hear the apostles
talking to me in my native tongue. How astonishing! And,
what a feeling, almost of drunkenness, to have felt the Holy
Spirit flowing through me as a result of their witness to me!
Holy Spirit, please allow Your love and joy to flow through me
in this way today. Amen.

Wednesday: Hope of Heaven
4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
of Our Blessed Mother
Scripture:
[Be] imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are
inheriting the promises.
—Hebrews 6:12
Reflection:
Tradition says that when Mary’s time had come, the apostles
gathered around her bed to pray for her, she fell asleep, and then
went up into heaven—body and soul.
Prayer:
I imagine following Mary up into heaven and seeing the angels
and saints honoring her, clapping for her and shouting for her
so loudly that the sounds of jubilation are tremendous; the joy
is palpable. They are thrilled to have her with them. Blessed
Mother, Holy Mother of God, pray for me to be able to imitate
you, and to help others like you did while you were on Earth,
and pray for me to inherit my hope of heaven. Amen.

Wednesday: Cheer Our
Blessed Mother
5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Our
Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Scripture:
Raise your eyes and look about;/ they all gather and come to
you:/ Your sons come from afar,/ and your daughters in the
arms of their nurses.
—Isaiah 60:4
Reflection:
Mary has been crowned Queen of Heaven by the Father, by
Jesus and by the Holy Spirit. It is her rightful place, because she
is the chosen one. Immense honor and immense responsibility
are hers.
Prayer:
Blessed Mother, Queen of Patriarchs and Prophets, I imagine
being in heaven as one of your loyal subjects when you were
crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth. All the angels, all the
saints, all those in Purgatory—we all gather to cheer you and
to commend your virtue and beauty. Let me stay close to you.
Amen.

“All my pleasure in this land of exile is that of having every kind of suffering found on the cross, deprived of every other consolation except that of the Sacred Heart.”  –Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque  (+ 1690)

No matter how dire circumstances may become (with the wars and unrest in the world), I will always be encouraged by Jesus in the image of the Sacred Heart, and in the image of the Divine Mercy!  Jesus, I trust in You!

Intention:  Please bless all my loved ones on the other side with love and joy, and may they rest in peace, and come into heaven to be with You forever and ever, if they’re not already there.

Tuesday: Watchful Prayer
1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Scripture:
He returned a third time and said to them, “Are you still
sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come.
Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up,
let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
—Mark 14:41–42
Reflection:
Imagining the agony in the garden, we can pretend we are
one of the three sleepy disciples whom Jesus continues to try
to awaken. Yet, we are so sleepy! We see Jesus, so determined
and intense in His prayer, out of the corner of our eyes, as we
slumber.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, Model of Virtues, I am trying to follow Your
example in Your watchful prayer about everything that concerns
me in my life. Something that happened yesterday or today,
about which I want to pray, is this: _____________ . Amen.

Tuesday: Penance
2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Scripture:
The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for
Barabbas but to destroy Jesus.
—Matthew 27:20
Reflection:
Imagining the scourging at the pillar, we can pretend that we
are one of the crowd who are screaming, “Crucify Him!” (see
Matthew 27:23) when Pilate asks us what evil Jesus has done.
Jesus is whipped within an inch of his life and afterward falls
limp on the ground.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, as I reflect on the severity of Jesus’s scourging to
atone for my sins, I realize that my comparatively mild penance
strengthens me to become more virtuous, and that it is nothing
to fear. Assist me in embracing my penance. Amen.

Tuesday: Resolution
3rd Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning With Thorns
Scripture:
When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out,
“Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him
yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.”
—John 19:6
Reflection:
Imagining the crowning with thorns, we can pretend that we
are one of the soldiers who is looking on, as some other soldiers
drape a purple robe around Jesus, and put a crown of thorns on
His head, and strike it repeatedly, spitting on Him and yelling,
“Hail, King of the Jews!” in mock adoration of Him.
Prayer:
I realize that my sins were part of the cause of Jesus’s suffering
when He was crowned with thorns. Dear Holy Spirit, Spirit of
Meekness, I resolve never to do or say anything cruel or mean
to anyone, ever again. Help me to carry out my resolution with
firmness. Amen.

Tuesday: Suffering Purifies Me
4th Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
Scripture:
[The Lord] is like the refiner’s fire,/ or like the fuller’s lye./ He
will sit refining and purifying [silver],/ and he will purify the
sons of Levi,/ Refining them like gold or like silver/ that they
may offer due sacrifice to the Lord.
—Malachi 3:2–3
Reflection:
Imagining the carrying of the cross, we can pretend that we are
Simon of Cyrene, assisting Jesus to carry His Cross to Calvary.
We see how lovingly Jesus hugs His heavy Cross in front of us.
We see how determinedly He shuffles along the Via Dolorosa
with us.
Prayer:
Jesus, You teach me how to carry my cross in life, not just with
resignation, but with love. As I carry my cross, help me to
remember that suffering purifies me of my egocentricities, and
helps me to become a much more compassionate person – and
someone who is more in touch with God. Amen.

Tuesday: Cry
5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
Scripture:
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s
sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.
—John 19:25
Reflection:
Imagining the crucifixion, we can pretend that we are with
Our Blessed Mother and the other two Marys at the foot of
the Cross. We hear Jesus suffer difficulty while trying to take
a breath, and yet still manage to say the last seven things from
His divine mouth.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, when I think about how much Jesus suffered
for me, it makes me want to cry. Please soothe my tears. Amen.

“Man’s salvation and perfection consist in doing the will of God, which he must have in view in all things, and at every moment of his life.”  –Saint Peter Claver (+  1654)

Our Lady and St. Joseph always strove to do the will of God, and what fruit they left us from their lives.

Intention:   Dear Heavenly Father, I ask You to please bless all my friends and relatives and the people who dislike me with good health, financial stability and uplifting relationships with their friends and family.  Please bless them with peace, love, joy, happiness and harmony, and please, when their time comes, give them each a peaceful, easy and happy death, and bring them into heaven to be with you forever and ever.

Monday: I Love You
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into
the world.
—John 1:9
Reflection:
Imagining the annunciation, we can pretend that we are an
invisible onlooker, watching with hushed awe as Our Lady says
to the angel, “May it be done to me according to your word.”
Prayer:
As I pray this decade of Hail Marys, I can also pray to little
Baby Jesus in Mary’s womb, Light of the World, and tell Him,
“I love You.” Amen.

Monday: Promise to Be Humble
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God
chose the weak of the world to shame the strong.
—1 Corinthians 1:27
Reflection:
When Elizabeth gratefully greeted Mary and said, “Blessed are
you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (see
Luke 1:42), the weak little infant in Elizabeth’s womb (John),
trembled with joy.
Prayer:
Mary was humble, whereas I tend to be proud sometimes; but
I promise, Lord, to work at becoming humble. Amen.

Monday: The Babe
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah,/ too small to be among the
clans of Judah,/ From you shall come forth for me/ one who
is to be ruler in Israel;/ Whose origin is from of old,/ from
ancient times.
—Micah 5:1
Reflection:
Imagining the nativity, we can pretend that we are a little friend
of Mary’s in Bethlehem, and Mary does not mind if we take
the Baby Jesus into our arms from time to time, and whisper
loving things to Him, into His ears.
Prayer:
Jesus, I imagine how beautiful You were as a little Babe, and
I love You, there in the manger. I long to take care of Your
needs. Amen.

Monday: Simeon’s Eyes
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many
prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see
it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.
—Luke 10:23–24
Reflection:
Simeon told the Father that He could let him go in peace after
seeing Jesus, because The Father had promised that he would
see the Christ child before he died. How blessed were Simeon’s
eyes.
Prayer:
When I imagine the presentation in the temple, I can think about
Mary—how she was still a virgin and did not, in actuality, need
to submit to the Law of purification. But, she did so anyway
as a sacrifice. If Mary felt like she needed to submit to the Law
of purification, it is a hint to me of how much I need personal
sanctification, also. Dear Heavenly Father, please purify me and
make me holy for You. Amen.

Monday: Duty and Devotion
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
May your eyes watch night and day over this temple, the place
where you have decreed you shall be honored; may you heed
the prayer which I, your servant, offer in this place. Listen to
the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel which
they offer in this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling and
grant pardon.
—1 Kings 8:29–30
Reflection:
Imagining the finding of the Child Jesus in the temple, we
can envision that we are with the Blessed Virgin Mary and St.
Joseph, running from group to group in the caravan, searching
for Jesus. And finding Him nowhere, we all cry together, out
of a deep sense of loss and sorrow.
Prayer:
Jesus, finding You in the temple, I am so impressed by Your
deep devotion to Your Father’s House, and to Your duty to
serve Your Father, that You would stay there for three days,
away from Your family. Heart of Jesus, Obedient to Death,
teach me to perform the duties of my state in life with the same
devotion. Amen.

“The endurance of darkness is the preparation for great light.”  –Saint John of the Cross (+ 1591)

In these days of great darkness in our world, we must cling to the Holy Spirit, which will give us hope and Light.

Intention:  My faith will make me whole.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sunday: Peace of Christ
1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection
Scripture:
A child is born to us, a son is given us;/ upon his shoulder
dominion rests./ They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,/ Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
—Isaiah 9:5
Reflection:
After He rose from the dead, Jesus appeared to the apostles and
said, “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36). As the Prince of Peace,
He might have said this because the apostles were so confused,
and felt so badly about abandoning Him during His passion,
that they dearly needed peace.
Prayer:
I pray for the fruit of the peace of Christ, which is not worldly
peace, but a different sort of peace—borne on a wind from
heaven. Amen.

Sunday: Hope
2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension
Scripture:
To the only God, our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord be
glory, majesty, power, and authority from ages past, now, and
for ages to come.
—Jude 25
Reflection:
Jesus ascended into heaven where He has glory and authority,
so that He might beg the Father on our behalf, and thereby help
to make us secure in heaven, also.
Prayer:
I pray for the virtue of hope, which ultimately leads to hope of
the everlasting joy with God. Amen.

Sunday: Gifts of Holy Spirit
3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the
Holy Spirit on Our Lady and the Apostles
Scripture:
I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But
when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all
truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he
hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He
will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and
declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for
this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and
declare it to you.
—John 16:12–15
Reflection:
In order to receive the Holy Spirit, we must love God, since
the Holy Spirit is love.
Prayer:
I pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are certain abilities
that are given to people in accordance with God’s plan, usually
to be used to benefit others. These are wisdom, understanding,
counsel, fortitude, knowledge, reverence and fear (awe) of the
Lord (Isaiah 11:2–3). Amen.

Sunday: Mary’s Intercession
4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
Scripture:
The Lord, your God, is in your midst,/ a mighty savior;/ He
will rejoice over you with gladness,/ and renew you in his love,/
He will sing joyfully because of you,/ as one sings at festivals.
—Zephaniah 3:17–18
Reflection:
Mary had the power of prophecy when she said, “From now on
will all ages call me blessed” (Luke 1:48). How true that was.
Every time we say the Hail Mary, we are proclaiming how
blessed she is among women.
Prayer:
Blessed Mother Mary is in heaven now and has the desire to
pray for us, as she interceded for those present at the wedding
feast of Cana when the wine ran out. She always has our best
interests at heart. I pray for trust in the intercession of Blessed
Mary, Health of the Sick. Amen.

Sunday: Grace of Present Moment
5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of our
Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Scripture:
Nations shall walk by your light,/ and kings by your shining
radiance.
—Isaiah 60:3
Reflection:
Our Blessed Mother Mary is Queen of all Saints and all Angels,
and her radiant brilliance must be an incredible sight to behold.
Still, though, as St. Therese said, she is our mother more than
she is our Queen.
Prayer:
I pray for the grace of the present moment, because I need to
be highly aware of the here-and-now at all times to carry out
the duties of my state in life. And also, it is only in the present
moment that the Holy Spirit is found—where blessing abounds.
Amen.

“Be joyful, for there is someone who loves your God as he deserves, who knows him as her only Son.”  –Saint Teresa of Avila  (+ 1582)

Thank God that Our Lady gave her fiat!

Intention:  I’m expecting that no weapon formed against me will prosper, in Jesus’ name.

Saturday: Faith
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
Your faith has saved you; go in peace.
—Luke 7:50
Reflection:
The angel announced to Mary that the Baby she was to conceive
by the power of God would be called the Son of the Most High
(thus, divine). She had tremendous faith; thank God she did not
succumb to the devil’s temptation to say “no” to the mission
out of fear.
Prayer:
I pray for the virtue of faith, which allows me to reject the
temptations of the devil, and to have the courage to obey God
in His call to me. Amen.

Saturday: Charity
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall
reap our harvest, if we do not give up.
—Galatians 6:9
Reflection:
When Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord”
(Luke 1:46), she was charitably praising the Lord. In so doing,
her soul was being formed more to the image of the Lord—the
image of Christ.
Prayer:
Because of Mary’s charity, she rushed to aid Elizabeth when
she was with child. All the other virtues rest upon the virtue of
charity (i.e., love). Lord, I pray for the virtue of charity, which
is a cornerstone virtue. Amen.

Saturday: Humility
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
Blessed are the poor in spirit,/ for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
—Matthew 5:3
Reflection:
Jesus was born in Bethlehem because Bethlehem means “House
of Bread.” He humbly came down to become the Living Bread
descended from heaven.
Prayer:
Jesus was the ultimate example of humility, emptying Himself
and taking on the form of a man. Dear Lord, I pray for the
virtue of humility, which is also known as being poor in spirit.
Amen.

Saturday: Justice
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
—Matthew 5:17
Reflection:
Our Blessed Mother offered the Baby Jesus as an oblation to
God, as was considered appropriate under the Law. But this was
also an expression of Mother Mary’s and St. Joseph’s gratitude
to God for the gift that was given to them.
Prayer:
I pray for the virtue of justice, of which the Ten Commandments
and the Beatitudes are expressions. Amen.

Saturday: Prudence
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,/ for
they will be satisfied.
—Matthew 5:6
Reflection:
We should always be seeking Jesus Christ because He is Life.
He is Life because He causes us to live righteously on earth and
live in eternity with God.
Prayer:
I pray for the virtue of prudence, which means to reason rightly
about one’s actions in the present moment—to live those actions
righteously, and to create a happy, pleasant future. Amen.

“If the death of his saints be glorious in the sight of God, it can never be shameful in fact, however shameful it may seem here in the sight of men.”  –Saint Thomas More (+ 1535)

Self-sacrifice is not well respected in our day and time; but God sees and He values it highly.

Intention:  Lord, please send favor now!

Friday: Reverence, Worship and Faith
1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Scripture:
Lord, I call to you;/ come quickly to help me;/ listen to my plea
when I call./ Let my prayer be incense before you;/ my uplifted
hands an evening sacrifice.
—Psalm 141:1–2
Reflection:
When Jesus prayed “Our Father…” He gave us an excellent
example of how to pray devotionally, with love for God, and
with faith that God would listen to Him and be with Him.
Prayer:
O Lord, reach down to me as I reach up to You. I pray for
reverence, worship and faith in God. Amen.

Friday: Temperance
2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Scripture:
I trust in you, Lord;/ I say, “You are my God.”/ My times are
in your hands;/ rescue me from my enemies,/ from the hands
of my pursuers./ Let your face shine on your servant;/ save me
in your kindness.
—Psalm 31:15–17
Reflection:
Some theologians think that the reason Pilate had Jesus scourged
was so that the crowd of people would be swayed to feeling
compassion and kindness for Him once they saw Him after the
scourging, and decide not to put Him to death. However, that
was not what happened.
Prayer:
I pray for the virtue of temperance, which is to take the physical
objects of pleasure in this world, and use them only so much as
is needed to maintain health and be responsible to one’s state
in life. Amen.

Friday: Love of Enemies
3rd Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning With Thorns
Scripture:
Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how
many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further
answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
—Mark 15:4–5
Reflection:
Because Mary was there to see Jesus’s crown of thorns, she
shared in His suffering of humiliation, and so also in His
redemptive action. Mary’s humility, coming as it did from a
human creature, devastated the proud demons because it helped
create the victory over them.
Prayer:
I pray for the virtue of love of my enemies, which involves the
recognition that all of them are children of God, whom God
loves unconditionally. Lord, please bless my enemies. Amen.

Friday: Fortitude
4th Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
Scripture:
But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of
Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice
exultantly.
—1 Peter 4:13
Reflection:
When a cross comes into our life, it is wise to think of it as
having coming from Jesus—as if He had come to us and asked
us if we would assist Him to carry His Cross. This is because
Jesus seeks to purify us through our crosses and make us more
humble. It is His will that we become holy; that we become
saints.
Prayer:
I pray for the virtue of fortitude, which is courage in adversity.
It applies when there is a risk of death, but it also applies when
one is being challenged or ridiculed. Lord, please give me the
gift of fortitude. Amen.

Friday: Mercy
5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
Scripture:
Blessed are the merciful,/ for they will be shown mercy.
—Matthew 5:7
Reflection:
Christ Jesus prayed for His enemies at the time they were
crucifying Him. This is a remarkable achievement of love and
mercy. Yet with Christ’s help, we too can pray for our enemies,
even while they are doing or saying whatever is making us
suffer.
Prayer:
I pray for the virtue of mercy, unconditional love and
forgiveness—that involves being generous to others even when
they are not being generous back to me. Heart of Jesus, Source
of all Consolation, please give me the gift of mercy. Amen.