Jesus tried to prepare us that following Him would not be easy.  But it is all worth it.  Even before this life is over, if we have Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit, which makes all the tribulation in the world worth it.

Intention:   Thank You, God, that You’re in control.  Thank You that You’re working behind the scenes.  Thank You that You’re arranging things in our favor.  Thank You that we are full of Your wisdom.  Thank You that we are well able to do what You have called us to do.

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.

“What courage it would take to try to walk on the sea, even if we could see the face of Christ; but it needs much more courage to leave our false securities, our leaking boats of materialism, and to walk towards Him on the churned-up, angry sea of our civilization.”   –Caryll Houselander (+1954)

It does take courage to live in a holy way; but I have so much help to do so.  I just need to remember to ask for assistance from above.  One day at a time!

Intention:   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!

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 ought to say: ‘I will sanctify myself precisely by the events of this day because the loving providence of God has sent them to me.  He is acquainted with my necessities; he knows what is most conducive to my sanctification.’  If we were to understand this, would not our soul be a veritable ocean of peace?”   –Servant of God Luis Maria Martinez (+1956)

Jesus and Mary lived the lives that God prepared for them, and so am I living my own life as God has prepared it for me.  Mine is different from everyone else’s lives, but I can have in common with everyone my cooperation and obedience to God.   There I can find peace in the midst of challenging situations. 

Intention:   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.

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.

“[Our Lady] was a reed through which the Eternal Love was to be piped as a shepherd’s song.”   –Caryll Houselander  (+1954)

May I model myself after Our Lady to be full of grace, and able to see Jesus in everyone around me!

Intention:   Please preserve our civil liberties: our rights to meaningful representation in government, the right for free speech, the right for freedom of religion, the right for freedom of assembly, the right to bear arms, and having a country with firm borders, etc.

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.

“We cannot choose a cross.  We cannot decide what suffering is best for the training of our invisible souls.  We must grow strong in a way known only to God, for few of us know ourselves or our weaknesses well enough to choose the suffering best suited to change us.”    –Mother Angelica of the Annunciation (+2016)

Crosses often come to us and last for a long time, if not an entire lifetime.  For me, the key is patient endurance till the end, if I cannot change the situation to make it better.  I try to trust that God knows what He’s doing with me.

Intention:   Please give us a population that becomes more religious again, and has a revival. I thank You God for the revival that is already started.

Friday: Something Beautiful
1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Scripture:
Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not
my will but yours be done.
—Luke 22:42
Reflection:
Jesus asked us to take up our cross and follow Him; yet when
His passion was close at hand, He agonized over it, asking
that the cup be taken away from Him. Thus, we know that
it is appropriate to ask the Father to alleviate our sufferings,
whenever possible.
Prayer:
Something inside of me perceives that suffering is a vicious
wrong, and so I wince away from it; however, God’s mercy can
turn it into something beautiful for the world. Heavenly Father,
turn my suffering into something splendid for the world. Amen.

Friday: Not alone
2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Scripture:
[Pilate said to them,] “Therefore I shall have him flogged and
then release him.”
—Luke 23:16
Reflection:
The Roman soldiers whipped Jesus until He was almost at
death’s door, but God the Father was with Him with each and
every lashing.
Prayer:
When I feel pain, I have to remember, God is with me every
step of the way, every painful moment. Heart of Jesus, Hope
of Those Who Die in Thee, let me not feel alone when I am
in pain. Let me feel Your yoke of divine friendship with me at
such times. Amen.

Friday: He Went Before Us
3rd Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning With Thorns
Scripture:
And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on
his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak.
—John 19:2
Reflection:
The soldiers made a mock court out of the praetorium and
a mock King out of Jesus. Then, as if mocking Him weren’t
enough, they “crowned Him” with long thorns, to bite into
His head.
Prayer:
Even though Jesus was God, He had no protection against this
wretched misery. Lord, when I am hurting, let me remember
that You went before me to lead the way for me. Amen.

Friday: A Random Way
4th Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
Scripture:
As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a
Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after
laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus.
—Luke 23:26
Reflection:
Simon of Cyrene came across Jesus on His way to Calvary by
happenstance, when Jesus fell on His knees, and the soldiers
chose Simon to support Our Lord in carrying His Cross. The
cross often comes to us in a random way, such as this.
Prayer:
My Lord Jesus, I recognize that You are with me when I am
carrying my cross, and that You will always help me to carry
it until the end. Please uplift those people who are despairing,
and help them to know in their hearts that the world would be
a worse place without them. Amen.

Friday: Endure to the End
5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
Scripture:
Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in
wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink.
—Matthew 27:48
Reflection:
The soldiers ripped off Jesus’s clothing, which had dried to His
Body, opening up all the wounds from earlier at the scourging.
They offered Him a concoction of wine and myrrh to numb
His senses, but He refused it.
Prayer:
The way to heaven will be through the cross. Lord Jesus, Most
Powerful, You have shown me how to carry the cross, and have
promised to be with me, if I will only just endure to the end.
Give me Your strength to do so. Amen.

“The way of perfect renunciation has already been called the narrow way that only a few find.  The way that leads to the high mountain of perfection can only be traveled by those who are not weighed down by any burden.”    –Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) (+1942)

The Way of the Cross is the “narrow way.”

Intention:   Lord, I thank You that wherever I go this day, You and Your angels will be with me. Thank You for the peace, love and security You promise.

Tuesday: Took on our Sins
1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Scripture:
[Jesus] said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take
this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.”
—Mark 14:36
Reflection:
The Lord’s agony was so harrowing because He became the
sin-bearer for us all. While He had no sin, He took on our sins
in the garden.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You were in terrible anguish in the Garden of
Gethsemane, at viewing the cup that was before You to drink.
Give powerful aid to those men and women who are singled
out for persecution because of their Christian faith. Send angels
to protect and comfort them. Amen.

Tuesday: Holy Offering
2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Scripture:
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to
them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be
crucified.
—Mark 15:15
Reflection:
John gave Our Lord the baptism of water; the Roman soldiers
gave Him the baptism of blood. He gave His life for us as a
redemption for our sins.
Prayer:
Blood of Christ, Poured Out on the Cross, accept all my
sufferings as a holy offering to You, for the sake of Your will
being done in the world. For every kernel of wheat that falls to
the ground and dies in suffering, let many kernels of truth and
love grow up in its place. Amen.

Tuesday: Acceptance
3rd Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns
Scripture:
They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns,
placed it on him.
—Mark 15:17
Reflection:
The soldiers probably swore at the thorns, when they pierced
their hands while making the crown. But they probably reveled
in the sight of those same thorns piercing Our Lord’s forehead
and seeing the blood on His face.
Prayer:
Blood of Christ, Solace in Sorrow, grant me the goodness to
accept the crown of thorns, if God allows it to come to me –
and not to complain. Let acceptance be my holy undertaking.
Amen.

Tuesday: Responsibility
4th Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
Scripture:
And carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called
the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.
—John 19:17
Reflection:
The psalms speak of having a parched throat, having a tongue
that sticks to the mouth like clay and having gall to eat and
vinegar to drink. These are all things Jesus experienced on the
Cross.
Prayer:
Lord, how You must have wondered at the formidable power
of God as You slowly trudged down the road to Golgotha and
reflected on the prophecies of the psalms coming true. Inspire
the wealthy people of the world to realize their tremendous
responsibility to do advantageous works in the world with the
wealth that has been entrusted to them. Amen.

Tuesday: Entering Eternal Life
5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
Scripture:
Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I
commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed
his last.
—Luke 23:46
Reflection:
Jesus the Son went home to His loving Father (Who is like the
“prodigal father” in His parable).
Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, Pierced with a Lance, You taught me that when I
die, I will not really be dying; I will be reborn into eternal life.
Comfort all the dying with the consolation of Your Spirit. As
they expel their last breaths, Lord, draw them safely into Your
loving arms. Amen.

“Love, which is as strong as death, makes us die to ourselves that we may be born to another life.  Such is the response of the saints to God’s love.”    –Father Reginald Garrigou-LaGrange, O.P. (+1964)

As we take care of the world around us — and bless it — we are demonstrating love in action.

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.

Monday: Let it Be
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is
with you.”
—Luke 1:28
Reflection:
Something wonderful happened when Mary said, “Let it be”
(see Luke 1:38). The Son of God became incarnate in a human
body to live with all of us and redeem us.
Prayer:
Lord, You are steadfast in Your covenant with me, even when I
fail to live up to my commitment to You. Bring to repentance
all those who have failed to live out their dedication to You,
forgive them and restore them to wholeness again. Amen.

Monday: Leaps for Joy
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
[Elizabeth] cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed
are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
—Luke 1:42
Reflection:
Elizabeth was the mother of John—the precursor to Christ.
John was in her womb and leaped for joy at the nearness of the
Baby Jesus, who was in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Prayer:
The Holy Spirit leaps for joy within me when I surrender to
the inner peace He wants to give me. Holy Spirit, Spirit of love
and joy, send Your comfort to lighten the hearts of all people
in every nation. Amen.

Monday: Suffering and Weakness
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and
keeping the night watch over their flock.
—Luke 2:8
Reflection:
In a cold dark cave, where shepherds sometimes found shelter,
the Son of God was born in the flesh, into the world. Then the
shepherds of sheep came to meet the Shepherd of Souls—Jesus
the Christ—in the manger.
Prayer:
The Lord Jesus came down to earth to suffer and experience
weakness for me so that I could be made strong in my own
suffering and weakness, through Him. Heart of Jesus, Delight
of all the Saints, grant that lawmakers in every nation work
together in harmony, and create legislation for their constituents
that reflect gospel values. Amen.

Monday: First-Born of the Father
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
The Lord spoke to Moses and said, “Consecrate to me every
first-born that opens the womb among the Israelites, both of
man and beast, for it belongs to me.”
—Exodus 13:1–2
Reflection:
Jesus Christ was presented as the First One of humanity that
had been reinstated into the Family of God – into purity and
holiness.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, I trust in You – in your divinity, as the First-Born of the Father. Inspire me to work together with others
to clean up the air of the sky and the water of the seas, as good
first-born stewards would do. Amen.

Monday: Their Equal
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in
the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them
questions.
—Luke 2:46
Reflection:
The Lord was found sitting in the midst of the doctors and
teachers; this implies that He was sitting with them as their
equal and as their teacher.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Father of the Poor, instruct me in Your ways, in
Your mysterious way of teaching. Grant that all the poor of
the world would receive an adequate education, grounded in
gospel values. Bring forth courageous, honest and godly men
and women from this education, to help our world. Amen.

“God had stooped down toward us, in the excess of his love, abasing himself even to our level; he had descended quite lower than we, even to the point of taking upon himself the gravest humiliations.”    –Father Reginald Garrigou-LaGrange, O.P.   (+1964)

It will all be worth it when we see Jesus face-to-face someday.

Intention: I call in healing and righteousness for America.

Sunday: Eternal Life
1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection
Scripture:
Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my
hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not
be unbelieving, but believe.”
—John 20:27
Reflection:
Because of Jesus’s resurrection, we can believe in eternal life.
Jesus said that for everyone who believes in Him, He would
raise them up on the last day.
Prayer:
For all teachers and preachers, I pray that they would always be
humble and faithful to their calling from God. Reward them
in this life and in the next life, for all their efforts to heal our
world. Amen.

Sunday: Invisibly There
2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension
Scripture:
They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking
at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into
heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going
into heaven.”
—Acts 1:11
Reflection:
The ascension is so encouraging because we see that Jesus has
ascended into heaven and is seated at the Father’s right hand,
where He intercedes for us. That means that Jesus exercises His
power over us by interceding for us all. He is with us invisibly.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, when I lose friends and family members to death,
help me to remember that they have just crossed over to be with
You, and that where they have gone, we can aspire to follow.
Amen.

Sunday: Post-Christian World
3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the
Holy Spirit on Our Lady and the Apostles
Scripture:
And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong
driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.
—Acts 2:2
Reflection:
Sometimes in our world, that is rapidly becoming “post-Christian,” it can feel like we are slogging through mud to live
out our witness of authentic Christianity. But through the Holy
Spirit’s gifts, we can keep on going—not by our own strength,
but with God’s strength—trusting that God will make a way
for us.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, aid me in living out my authentic Christianity in
the face of misunderstanding. Let others see my love, joy and
peace for what they really are: desirable fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Sunday: Our Certain Hope
4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
of Our Blessed Mother
Scripture:
Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his
covenant could be seen in the temple.
—Revelation 11:19
Reflection:
Our Blessed Mother was assumed into heaven, not by her own
power, but by the power of God. She went before us to show
the way to our entry into eternal life.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, when I experience the death of a loved one or
contemplate my own death, grant me the vision of Our Lady
being taken up to heaven, to help me remember that I have the
certain hope of heaven, also. At the moment of my death, I will
fling myself into Your loving arms. Amen.

Sunday: Eternal Crown
5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of our
Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Scripture:
She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the
nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and
his throne.
—Revelation 12:5
Reflection:
The end of Our Blessed Mother’s journey was being crowned
Queen of Heaven and Earth. We should have hope of receiving
an eternal crown at the end of our journeys also—the supreme
reward for those who have lived holy lives.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, for the pope and all other church leaders, grant them
to live lives of holiness through chastity, humility, poverty and
compliance with the gospels. Protect them from the evil one!
Amen.

“All the saints have a great devotion to Our Lady; no grace comes from heaven without passing through her hands.  We cannot go into a house without speaking to the porter; well, the Holy Virgin is the portress of heaven.”  –Saint John Vianney (+1859)

Thank God we have Our Lady to help guide us to Jesus, when we go astray a little (or a lot).  

Intention:  In Jesus’ mighty name, I will overcome every obstacle.  I have my trust and confidence in Almighty God.  He is my source.

Saturday: Jesus’s Love for Us
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no
relations with a man?”
—Luke 1:34
Reflection:
Mary said “yes” to the angel. Like her, we must say “yes” to
Jesus: “yes” to becoming His disciple, “yes” to allowing Him
to come into our hearts through prayer and the Sacraments and
“yes” to His purification of every part of us that is not like God.
Prayer:
Jesus Christ, You come to me as God, and yet You also come
to me in the wee, non-threatening face of a Babe. It’s as if You
longed to show Your love for me, because of how vulnerable
You made Yourself as a Baby, and also made Yourself as a lonely
Man on a Cross. Help me to take in the reality of how much
You love me. Amen.

Saturday: Mysterious Life
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in
her womb.
—Luke 1:41
Reflection:
Two meek women who were cousins met and greeted each
other, with the joy of knowing that God was working something
mighty in their lives; they entrusted themselves to God’s will. It
was such a mystery. Perhaps that is how we should live our lives:
to believe that God is working something mighty—though
what, we do not yet comprehend—and just let the mystery be.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, pour out Your Spirit of true charity, true
hospitality and true generosity through me, for my neighbors.
Remind me of the godly and mysterious nature of their lives
also! Amen.

Saturday: Following Jesus, My Star
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King
Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the new-born king of the Jews? We saw his star at its
rising and have come to do him homage.”
—Matthew 2:1–2
Reflection:
The Magi were led by a star, to find the Christ Child. What star
do we allow ourselves to be led by? Is it the star of “keeping up
with the Jones’s?” Is it the star of being the most beautiful one
in the room? Of having the most money? Of having the most
popularity? Of attaining the most impressive accomplishments?
Or, is it the North Star of following in the footprints of Jesus
Christ, our Savior?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I kneel at Your manger in breathtaking wonder of
how the Word was made flesh. Elevate my mind and heart, so
that I follow God’s will. Help me to follow You, my North Star,
all the way to heaven. Amen.

Saturday: Reverence for Church
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel,
of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived
seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as
a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple,
but worshipped night and day with fasting and prayer. And
coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and
spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption
of Jerusalem.
—Luke 2:36–38
Reflection:
This mystery demonstrates to us Joseph’s and Mary’s dedication
to fulfilling the laws and customs regarding God. We are living
their example when we go to Mass on Sundays, when we have
reverence toward the Blessed Sacrament and when we make our
homes places of prayer and gratitude.
Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, Our Life and our Resurrection, grant me the
discipline of going to Mass every Sunday, unless it is impossible
to do so. Let it not be a duty but a joy! Amen.

Saturday: No Difficulty-Free Lives
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but
not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
—Luke 2:44–45
Reflection:
St. Joseph and Mary were overjoyed upon finding Jesus in
the temple. However, the three days prior were fraught with
worry and dread, loss and guilt. Certainly, the parents of Jesus
were not given a worry-free life as they raised Our Lord and
Savior. Why should we think that we will be spared worry and
difficulty in our lives?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, You said that You would be with me always.
Please assist me in handling the difficulties in my life more
easily because of Your presence within me, as I walk along the
road of life. Amen.

“The heart of Mary is so tender towards us that those of all the mothers in the world put together are like a piece of ice in comparison to hers.”    –Saint John Vianney (+1859)

We are so blessed to have Jesus and His mother, Mary, to love us, no matter what.  

Intention:  Thank You, Lord, that I am full of Your wisdom.  Thank You that I am well able to do what You have called me to do.

Friday: Comforting Balm
1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Scripture:
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and
he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began
to feel sorrow and distress.
—Matthew 26:36–37
Reflection:
Our Lord Jesus took our sins and paid the penalty of those
sins on the Cross. He was alone in the Garden of Gethsemane
with His contemplation of the terrifying sacrifice yet to come,
because His disciples fell asleep despite his repeated attempts to
awaken them to His plight.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, You chose to come down to unify Yourself
with Your people in the pains and misfortunes of life. Grant
me the gift of calmness in my own times of struggle with
anxiety, suffering and anguish. Strengthen me and give me the
comforting balm of Your love. Amen.

Friday: Nothing is Wasted
2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Scripture:
Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus
scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.
—Matthew 27:26
Reflection:
Jesus underwent a terrible scourging on that Good Friday at
the pillar. Many people in our world undergo terrible types
of torture and traumatic deaths at the hand of evil. We, too,
might be called to make an ultimate sacrifice someday for
Jesus. However, we must always remember that God will make
righteousness come out of evil eventually, and our sacrifice will
not be in vain.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when life defeats me seemingly for no reason, assist
me in clinging to You, and in remembering that I am suffering
in union with You. Nothing is wasted. Amen.

Friday: Ridicule
3rd Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning With Thorns
Scripture:
They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and
kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They
knelt before him in homage.
—Mark 15:18–19
Reflection:
Most of us have either experienced mental distress ourselves, or
have been familiar with someone who has experienced it. One
of the blessings of Jesus’s crowning with thorns is that He made
holy the experience of all sorts of mockery and derision. If we
are being mocked or are experiencing mental illness, we can be
comforted in the awareness that our sufferings are in union with
Christ, and that He can make something beautiful out of them.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I witness someone ridiculing another, give me
the courage and strength to stand up for the one being ridiculed,
and remind me to pray for everyone involved. Amen.

Friday: Till the Very End
4th Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
Scripture:
Let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and
persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping
our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For
the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross,
despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the
throne of God.
—Hebrews 12:1–2
Reflection:
Sometimes we feel as if we are carrying a cross for years and
years: the illness that won’t go away, the failure that no one will
let us live down, the calamity of suicide, the learning disability,
etc. When we suffer with these kinds of things, we should
remember Our Lord staggering through the streets of Jerusalem
with His Cross on His shoulders, and ask Him to give us His
fortitude, bravery and resolve to keep going until the very end.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, aid me in carrying my cross by keeping my eyes
fixed upon You carrying Your Cross, so that I can imitate You
in enduring until the end. Amen.

Friday: Silence
5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
Scripture:
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
“Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.”
—Luke 23:39
Reflection:
Jesus did not respond to those who mocked Him; He drank
silently, for the most part, from the bitter cup that the Father had
prepared for Him. This silence alone was incredibly influential
to those who watched Him and mocked Him; many of them
experienced conversion later. Let us also remember that silence,
in the face of evil, is sometimes the best approach.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I was bought at a heavy price: Your suffering
and death on the Cross. You love me so very much! Let this
knowledge give me the desire to live the gospel message more
fervently and sincerely. Amen.