In this life, I am called to shoulder the crosses that come to me, to try to mortify my passions, and to use my gifts for the good of all, in order to be in solidarity with Jesus.  Even though it is extremely counter-intuitive, I should also try to be grateful for my cross, because it helps me to become a much more gentle and humble person when I relate to others — to become someone who I really want to be.

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

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.

Jesus Christ is with me always, even though most of us have never seen a glimpse of His glory.  We have so much to look forward to someday, in Heaven!  In the meantime, we can pray for the Holy Spirit to spread across humanity in a more powerful way.  We can even pray this prayer which Our Lady asked for in an apparition in the 1950’s:

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, send now your Spirit over the earth.  Let the Holy Spirit live in the hearts of all nations, that they may be preserved from degeneration, disaster and war.  And may the Lady of All Nations, the Blessed Virgin Mary, be our advocate.  Amen.”

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

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.

It seems that Jesus tried to be as clear as He could with us about what life would be like after He went back to Heaven: He would always be with us, as well as the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Saints, the Angels, the Father, and of course the Holy Spirit.  He said this Spirit would fill us with love and joy, and other fruits and gifts, if we asked for it.  He said that this invisible “support system” would help us make it through lives that would be filled with happiness and persecution; no matter what, we would be held in their invisible arms.  All the while, we have hope of Heaven to spur us on.

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.

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.

My suffering purifies me of my egocentricities, so I can become more in touch with God.  

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!

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.

There is a purity that comes upon us as we contemplate Jesus in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or in His sweet manger as a Babe, or as Simeon was gazing into His sweet eyes at the temple.  He teaches us to be humble, and to perform the duties of our state in life, almost by osmosis – osmosis of His generous, pure Spirit.

Intention:  Please make of us 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.

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.

FYI: I am having to post this the following day, due to a computer problem.

Since Jesus Christ is ascended to Heaven, we can be encouraged in our journey here because we know that He is waiting for us, and has a place prepared for us with Him!  In the meantime, He can give us His peace, and the Holy Spirit’s gifts, if we try to stay focused on the present moment and ask for Blessed Mother’s intercession often. 

Intention:  Please preserve 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.

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.

Jesus and the Blessed Mother are ultimate examples of the virtues of faith, charity, humility, justice, and prudence.  We can learn from their examples and grow in our virtues over time, through the help of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.  Grace + Perseverance.  

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.

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.

As a Christian, a true Christian, we know that persecutions might come to us — or probably will come to us — because Jesus told us so.  The devil would love for us to cave in and abandon our hard-won virtues, in the process.  But we have to hang onto them.  Those who treat us badly, we must pray for, and treat generously and well.  That way, the devil does not win.  God wins. 

Intention:  Please bless us with a President and Justice Department which are non-partisan in their actions.

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.

Jesus, please come to heal me!

Intention:  Please bless us with a Constitution that functions as it was intended to function.

Thursday: Holiness
1st Luminous Mystery: The Baptism
of Jesus in the Jordan
Scripture:
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn
open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
—Mark 1:10
Reflection:
When Jesus rose up from the water in His baptism, it was as
if the sun rose with Him—so bright was His luminosity and
the radiance of the Holy Spirit. It is a joy-filled event for us to
ponder, because the Son of God was now truly united with us,
after our long night as a human race.
Prayer:
The saints reflect Christ’s light in their holiness; I pray to
become like them in my holiness. O Lord, grant that all the
virtues might live inside of me in an easy and effortless way.
Amen.

Thursday: Divine Design
2nd Luminous Mystery: The Wedding Feast at Cana
Scripture:
Let us rejoice and be glad/ and give him glory./ For the wedding
day of the Lamb has come,/ his bride has made herself ready.
—Revelation 19:7
Reflection:
Jesus showed a love and generosity at the wedding at Cana that
showered divine light and favor upon the wedding party there.
Prayer:
Jesus’s presence at this wedding gives marriage a purpose that is
by divine design. I pray for married couples—that Jesus would
be present as a “third person,” in all their marriages. Amen.

Thursday: Heal Our Souls
3rd Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation
of the Kingdom of Heaven
Scripture:
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage,
child, your sins are forgiven.”
—Matthew 9:2
Reflection:
Christ came to heal people’s physical illnesses and maladies,
but also to heal their souls – as when, for example, He forgave
their sins.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, people’s faith was an important factor in whether or
not You could perform miracles for them. I have faith in You!
Please reach out to me with Your healing hand when I suffer.
Amen.

Thursday: Illuminate Me
4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
Scripture:
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but
becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men
standing with him.
—Luke 9:32
Reflection:
Jesus was an ordinary human being to His disciples; He walked
the dusty roads, He healed the sick, and He became tired and
hungry every day as they did. Then one day, up on a mountain,
He showed them His true glory: He became filled with light
and radiated the Holy Spirit in a supreme and brilliant way.
Prayer:
If God’s light were shining in me luminously, would I see the
pride and egocentricities that still linger inside? Lord Jesus,
Brightness of Eternal Light, please illuminate me so that I may
see myself objectively, and help me to make corrections. Amen.

Thursday: Jesus’s Presence
in the World
5th Luminous Mystery: The Institution
of the Holy Eucharist
Scripture:
With bread from heaven he filled them.
—Psalm 105:40
Reflection:
The Blessed Sacrament’s residence in all our Catholic Churches
gives the world little bits of Jesus’s presence in the world—
Bread from Heaven—keeping the world from descending into
degeneration, disaster and war. Thank God!
Prayer:
Millions of people celebrate Mass every day and receive the
Blessed Sacrament, spreading Jesus’s presence across the world,
and creating unity amongst the members of the church. Lord,
bring new members into Your church, and so increase Your
presence here. Amen.

Jesus is what is important in my life, because not only does He give me my salvation, but He purifies me more and more of my egocentricities, which can be accomplished so much faster on earth than after this early life is over (in Purgatory).  In Heaven, I pray to be of service to others in whatever way the Father can use me!

Intention:  Please bless us with a society that seeks Your face and prays to You earnestly.

Wednesday: Clean New Start
1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Our Lord
Scripture:
Then they [Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and
Salome] went out and fled from the tomb, seized with trembling
and bewilderment. They said nothing to anyone, for they were
afraid.
—Mark 16:8
Reflection:
Mary Magdalene was freed from seven demons during Jesus’s
earthly ministry. When the oppression of those demons let go of
her, she became a fresh, new, innocent woman again. This was
a kind of resurrection for her—a little echo of the resurrection
of Our Lord on Easter Sunday.
Prayer:
Jesus gives us all a fresh, clean, new start in life every time we
reach out to Him. Jesus, I am grateful to You for:
_______________. Amen.

Wednesday: Purification
of Egocentricities
2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Our Lord
Scripture:
Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet
ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them,
‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and
your God.’”
—John 20:17
Reflection:
It must have been awe-inspiring for the apostles to watch Jesus
ascending into heaven. But the angels told them to get back to
work here on earth because there was much to be done. They
were instructed to evangelize others, certainly. But also, part
of their personal work was to achieve a purification on earth
that could be achieved faster while here—using the gifts of the
Holy Spirit—than after their deaths.
Prayer:
Jesus, with You in heaven interceding for me, I can work on
the purification of my egocentricities now, while I’m still
alive. Please assist me in working on my dominant fault:
_____________________. Amen.

Wednesday: What is Important in Life
3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the
Holy Spirit on Our Lady and the Apostles
Scripture:
Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been
poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been
given to us.
—Romans 5:5
Reflection:
The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles at Pentecost like
a firestorm, totally altering the beliefs and priorities of their
lives. All of a sudden, the earthly things that they had once
talked and worried about seemed no longer the priorities that
they once were.
Prayer:
I pray for the Holy Spirit to quicken in my life, and give me the
anointing of the new eyes of the Holy Spirit, to see that what is
really most important in my life is Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday: More Dominant
Soul and Spirit
4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
of Our Blessed Mother
Scripture:
See, darkness covers the earth,/ and thick clouds cover the
peoples;/ But upon you the Lord shines,/ and over you appears
his glory.
—Isaiah 60:2
Reflection:
Mary’s life was sinless, and her assumption into heaven was
another example of God’s glorious grace in her life; it was the
ultimate example of that grace’s victory. We are called to follow
in her way of life, too, through the goodness and love of God
and our identification with the Mystical Body of Christ.
Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, In Whom Dwells the Fullness of Divinity, please
make my soul and spirit become more dominant in my life as
I follow You, as I lead a life dedicated more to the service of
others, and to my transformation by the Spirit of God. Amen.

Wednesday: Heaven
5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Our
Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Scripture:
She will put on your head a graceful diadem;/ a glorious crown
will she bestow upon you.
—Proverbs 4:9
Reflection:
Our Blessed Mother is a symbol for the church, and so when
she was crowned Queen of Heaven, in a way, the church was
crowned also – meaning each of us, after we go to heaven
(please God). This is because we are adopted sons and daughters
of the Father, which means that we are princes and princesses,
also, because He is King.
Prayer:
Dear God, make my purity complete, that I, too, will be in
heaven. And, if You are willing, let me receive a crown of
glory, so that I can be of more service to others while in heaven.
Amen.