“The Church is on a pilgrimage toward the Father—a huge horde of people walking toward the heavenly Jerusalem—a pilgrimage led by the saints and Our Lady. Implore their help because they are guides to knowing God; and if you know God you will give him to others.”  –Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty (+ 1985)

Intention:  Lord, 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 the right to have a country with firm borders.

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.

“In heaven, I will not serve in the same way as I serve here but I will serve in another way. I want to serve all my life and in eternity—different gradations, but the same thing. In heaven we might not send roses, like the Little Flower does, but we will be at the beck and call of everyone on earth who calls on us.”  –Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty (+ 1985)

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

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.

“[A saint is] like one who has fallen in love and can think of nothing else but his beloved. Unlike most of us who move from this high state to a gradually lesser degree of fervor, the love of a saint moves upward in a constant crescendo. This is obviously what Christ desired when he said, I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited! He wanted his love to come into us like a burning flame so that we could radiate light and warmth unceasingly to a world grown dark and cold…. ” –Ronda Chervin

Intention:  Lord, 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: 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.

“Today Christ called these apostles to bring about the true and eternal salvation of the world. They opened a fountain of living waters for the whole world; they made the hard and heavy iron of the human heart rise upwards…by preaching the cross of Christ; they multiplied the bread of the word of God and heavenly doctrine, which is the bread of eternal life for the world; they blinded the world in the wisdom of the flesh and enlightened it with the wisdom of the spirit; they opened the eyes of the world to see invisible and heavenly secrets; they put to flight the armies of hell and brought an abundance of spiritual nourishment to the Church of God; and, after Christ, they even became the cause of eternal life for those dead to the world.”  —Saint Lawrence of Brindisi (+ 1619)

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

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.

“Consider Jesus’ words: No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. Here is a paradox. His life was certainly taken from him: he was put in chains, condemned, led to Calvary, and crucified. But this was a death he freely accepted. In his heart was deep acceptance of what his Father wanted. Jesus remained supremely free in his death, because he made it into an offering of love. By his free and loving consent, the life that was taken became a life given.”  — Father Jacques Philippe

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: 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.

“If humility is the principle of all virtues, meekness, according to the expression of Saint Francis de Sales, is the flower of charity. In a plant the flower is the part most visible and beautiful because of the splendor and variety of its colors. It attracts with the perfume it releases. And despite its fragility and delicacy, its function is one of the most important in the plant because it protects and conserves the fruit. The same holds true for meekness in the case of charity.”  –Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. (+ 1964)

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

Thursday: Openness to Holy Spirit
1st Luminous Mystery: The Baptism
of Jesus in the Jordan
Scripture:
In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert
of Judea [and] saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is
at hand!”
—Matthew 3:1–2
Reflection:
Jesus came to John at the Jordan and was baptized, which is a
sign of repentance. Jesus did not need to repent because He was
without sin, but He did so in order to make baptism an integral
part of His church. We must all repent, be baptized and be made
new in the Holy Spirit.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Priest and Prophet, please develop in me an
unfettered openness to the Holy Spirit, so that I may live with
more love, joy, wisdom, self-control and patience. May I live
in the anointing of the Holy Spirit until the day I die. Amen.

Thursday: Foreshadow of Eucharist
2nd Luminous Mystery: The Wedding at Cana
Scripture:
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and
the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also
invited to the wedding.
—John 2:1–2
Reflection:
Jesus blessed the wedding party at Cana with a miracle—
the changing of water into the best of wines. This was a
foreshadowing of His Eucharistic miracle of changing bread
into His Body, and wine into His Blood. We must remember
that even in the midst of festive gatherings such as a wedding,
Jesus Christ is there to bless it, if He is invited.
Prayer:
Lord, Your Mother, Mary, spoke to You about the wedding
couple’s having run out of wine, and You performed a miracle.
Build in me a more hopeful trust that I may come to You
through her intercession. Amen.

Thursday: Repentance
3rd Luminous Mystery: The
Proclamation of the Kingdom
Scripture:
Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have
the light of life.”
—John 8:12
Reflection:
Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom by teaching to the crowds and
the disciples for three years. We are so fortunate to have His
teachings written down in the Holy Bible. It takes time to
assimilate what He taught and start to incorporate it into our
lives. Some of the things He taught—like the parables—can
be particularly challenging to comprehend. Yet we must keep
coming back to His gospel words, meditating on them, and
letting them seep deeply into our consciousness. This is one of
the challenges of the Christian life.
Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, Our Peace and our Reconciliation, help me to
repent of my sins and omissions, so that these truths that You
are teaching me might take root and grow in my soul. Root
out of me whatever does not serve You. Amen.

Thursday: Desire for Holiness
4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
Scripture:
After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was
transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his
clothes became white as light.
—Matthew 17:1–2
Reflection:
During the transfiguration, Jesus’s face and clothes became
dazzling white, as if glowing brilliantly. He was showing
His disciples some of His glory before going to the Cross, to
strengthen them for the ordeal. But the transfiguration bolsters
all of us to strengthen us for our ordeals in life, and to keep us
going toward that beautiful end when we will see the glorious,
loving and dazzling face of Jesus, up close and personal.
Prayer:
Dear Father, grant in me a fervent desire for holiness, so that
I may keep headed in the right direction until the end of my
life—away from sin and toward holiness. Then help me to
become purified so that I may be able to see my Jesus face-to-face, in the Kingdom. Amen.

Thursday: Adoration of
the Blessed Sacrament
5th Luminous Mystery: The Institution
of the Holy Eucharist
Scripture:
Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the
flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have
life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.”
—John 6:53–54
Reflection:
Jesus gave us the Blessed Sacrament as the Living Bread come
down from heaven, that if we eat His Body and drink His
Blood, we will have life in us. It is a beautiful way that He is
making us more and more like Himself.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Bread of Life, let me have a heartfelt adoration of
the Blessed Sacrament, so that I may cultivate more awe and
reverence toward God. Amen.

“Our Lord surely does not love humility that is melancholy, sad, or of bad humor, urging us to set ourselves apart and to remain inactive. Rather, he loves that humility of heart that is happy to act and sacrifice self for God.”   –Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. (+ 1964)

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

Wednesday: Faith
1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Our Lord
Scripture:
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they
entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
—Luke 24:2–3
Reflection:
On the morning of the third day, Jesus Christ rose from the
dead, and appeared to the holy women and His disciples. They
worshiped and adored Him as their God and gave joyful glory
to God.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, develop within me a greater faith,
so that I may trust more in Your salvific action, and in the
place that awaits me in heaven, that You have prepared for me.
Remind me of all the times that You have shepherded me into
green pastures—in seemingly miraculous ways. Amen.

Wednesday: Hope
2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Our Lord
Scripture:
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.
—Matthew 28:19–20
Reflection:
After His resurrection, Jesus remained on the earth for forty
days, at which time He instructed His disciples to carry on
with the Way, told them He would be with them always and
ascended into heaven while they watched Him leave.
Prayer:
Lord, please create a more trusting hope inside of me, that I may
live with expectant confidence in the ultimate triumph of God,
even in the face of the sad occurrences in life. Make this hope
be beyond any earthly hope I have ever known before. Amen.

Wednesday: Wisdom
3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the
Holy Spirit on Our Lady and the Apostles
Scripture:
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one
place together.
—Acts 2:1
Reflection:
In the upper room, Mary and the disciples assembled for days
to pray for the Holy Spirit. Then the Holy Spirit came in the
form of fiery tongues over each one’s head and gave them the
knowledge of truth, the gift of tongues and all His other gifts.
Prayer:
Lord, please give me more wisdom from the Holy Spirit, so that
all my actions might come from a place of true knowledge—a
perspective of holy understanding. Remind me to keep looking
up! Amen.

Wednesday: Devotion to Mary
4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
of Our Blessed Mother
Scripture:
My lover speaks; he says to me,/ “Arise, my beloved, my
beautiful one, and come!”
—Song of Songs 2:10
Reflection:
Our Blessed Mother Mary was assumed body and soul into
heaven. We don’t have knowledge if this happened before or
after she died, but we believe that Our Lord wanted to honor
her so much that He gave her that majestic blessing – that of
being taken up into heaven.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Crown of all Saints, bestow upon me a greater
devotion to Mary, so that when I feel I need a loving mother,
I may come to recognition of her power as an intercessor. O
Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to
thee! Amen.

Wednesday: Trust in Mary
5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Our
Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Scripture:
Then [King Solomon] sat down upon his throne, and a throne
was provided for the king’s mother, who sat at his right.
—1 Kings 2:19
Reflection:
Our Lord Jesus was not content just to have the Blessed Virgin
Mary assumed into heaven; He also had her crowned as Queen
of Heaven and Earth, and Queen of Angels and Saints. She lives
in heaven to intercede for us anytime, day or night.
Prayer:
Lord, help those who are addicted to a substance—or a lifestyle
that blocks them from honoring their bodies—to have greater
trust in Mary’s intercession, so that when they face temptations,
they may be given the grace to overcome addictions. Amen.

“Praying is establishing normal relations between God and ourselves. It is converting, returning our spirit, our heart, our will towards God who is constantly our Father and our Creator. Prayer is already love. It asks for love; it receives love. But because we are sinners it will always be at times heavy-going, painful, and disconcerting.”  –Venerable Madeleine Delbrêl (+ 1964)

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.

Tuesday: God’s Will
1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Scripture:
Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of
Olives, and the disciples followed him.
—Luke 22:39
Reflection:
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was shown all of our sins
and pain – past, present and future – and He knew that He was
going to take on all of that sin and pain on the Cross. He was
in distress seeing all our pain, and all the pain awaiting Him.
He cried out to the Father in great agony, “Father, if you are
willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours
be done” (Luke 22:42).
Prayer:
O Lord Jesus, Your awareness in the Garden of Gethsemane
of the terrible suffering awaiting You drove You to plead with
the Father; still, You complied with His will for You. Grant me
the grace to place all my actions in God’s hands, that they may
accomplish His purposes, rather than my own. Help me to trust
always in His Providence. Amen.

Tuesday: Offer up Sufferings
2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Scripture:
Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called
Messiah?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!”
—Matthew 27:22
Reflection:
During the scourging at the pillar, Jesus was whipped repeatedly
and the scourges ripped the flesh from his body. He lost a lot of
blood, which severely weakened Him.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, You were brutally tortured at the
scourging, yet You patiently endured it for our sake. Send Your
Spirit to strengthen me when I suffer, and remind me to offer
my pain to God, for the sake of saving souls. Be there for me
with Your endurance, when I reach the end of my rope in my
suffering. Amen.

Tuesday: Stand up for Right
3rd Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns
Scripture:
The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the
praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort.
—Mark 15:16
Reflection:
When Jesus was crowned with thorns, the soldiers were mocking
His Kingship. They drove the thorns deep into His skull, struck
Him over and over and put a reed in His hand as a mock scepter.
Prayer:
Lord, You silently endured a crown of thorns as well as the cruel
mocking and derision of the soldiers. Develop in me a courage
borne of the Holy Spirit, that I might stand up for what is right,
even in the face of ridicule or persecution. Amen.

Tuesday: Patience
4th Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
Scripture:
And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the
purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out
to crucify him.
—Mark 15:20
Reflection:
Jesus carried His Cross through the streets of Jerusalem to
Calvary. He was weak from the scourging, the beating and the
reviling of the onlookers, yet He continued carrying His Cross
patiently and resolutely.
Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, Victim for our Sins, You trudged through the
streets of Jerusalem painfully but steadfastly. Establish in me
an abundance of patience, so that I may be forbearing in large
transgressions, as well as in smaller ones. Amen.

Tuesday: Love Enemies
5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
Scripture:
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified
him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his
left.
—Luke 23:33
Reflection:
Our Lord and Savior was on the Cross for three agonizing
hours, during which time He asked the Father to forgive His
enemies.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You did what seems to be the impossible: You forgave
and loved Your enemies while they were executing You. I know
that with You, all things are possible. With Your compassion,
assist me to follow You in loving those who ridicule and judge
me, and so become a true person of love and forgiveness. Amen.

“Bartimaeus’ healing is an image of what happens to every Christian at conversion and baptism: our hearts are enlightened and through faith we are enabled to truly see what is invisible. We begin to understand realities of the kingdom that we could not understand before, and we gladly set out with Jesus on the way—the way that sometimes leads to the cross, but ultimately to the Resurrection.”  –Mary Healy

Intention:  I pray for Your help, Lord, today in carrying out the work that You have given me to do.

Monday: Humility
1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Scripture:
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a
town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man
named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name
was Mary.
—Luke 1:26–27
Reflection:
When the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary
with the news that she was to become the Mother of God, she
accepted the will of the Father by saying, “May it be done to
me according to your word.”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Your Mother demonstrated
remarkable humility in setting aside her own life’s agenda and
accepting the Father’s will instead. Lead me into more complete
humility so that I start to view the humbling experiences of my
life as opportunities for greater holiness. Amen.

Monday: Love of Neighbor
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Scripture:
During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country
in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of
Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
—Luke 1:39–40
Reflection:
After Mary greeted Elizabeth, she said to Our Blessed Mother
that the Mother of her Lord had come to her. Then Mary said,
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices
in God my savior…” (Luke 1:46–47). This was the Magnificat!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Your Mother displayed a deep quality of love of her
neighbor in the visitation by rushing to Elizabeth’s side to aid
her. Develop this same kind of love inside of me so that I can
more easily recognize opportunities to be of charitable service
to my acquaintances. Amen.

Monday: Detachment
3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Scripture:
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because
he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with
Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
—Luke 2:4–5
Reflection:
Mary gave birth to her baby, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in a humble
stable in Bethlehem at the first Christmas. St. Joseph tenderly
cared for them, and angels sang praises to the glory of God.
Prayer:
The holy family, in leaving hearth and home and delivering
the baby Jesus in a lowly manger in Bethlehem, showed that
detachment was deep within their character. Lord, take me on
the path of detachment from worldly possessions, in imitation
of them, so that I can adopt a simpler life and put You first in
my priorities. Amen.

Monday: Obedience
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
Scripture:
When the days were completed for their purification according
to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present
him to the Lord.
—Luke 2:22
Reflection:
In reverence to the law of Moses, St. Joseph and Mary brought
the Baby Jesus to present Him in the temple. The prophet
Simeon took Him in his arms, looked into His eyes, and said,
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, for my
eyes have seen your salvation…” (Luke 2:29–30).
Prayer:
St. Joseph and Mary went to the temple to present Jesus, out
of submission to God. Lord, increase in me an attitude of
obedience toward You, so that I do what I ought to do, when
I ought to do it. Amen.

Monday: Piety
5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of
the Child Jesus in the Temple
Scripture:
Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to
festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were
returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his
parents did not know it.
—Luke 2:41–43
Reflection:
Although St. Joseph and Mary were sorrowful for three days
searching for their Son, they were overjoyed when they found
Him in the temple; then He submitted to Mary’s request to
return home with them.
Prayer:
The Holy Family was so devout that they made an annual
journey from Nazareth to the Temple in Jerusalem to worship
God. Lord Jesus, deepen my own piety, so that I consider my
church and prayer lives to be more important than anything else
in my life. Remind me to keep my eyes always on You. Amen.

“You know that we are like a field where God in his mercy has sown his seed, the love and affection with which he created us. It was for love only, and not because he had to, that he drew us out of himself. We never asked him to create us, but moved by the fire of his charity he did, so that we might experience and enjoy his supreme eternal beauty. And to nourish the plants and make this seed bear fruit, he gave us the water of holy baptism.”  –Saint Catherine of Siena (+ 1380)

Intention:  I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me.

Sunday: Help My Unbelief
1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection
Scripture:
His disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their
midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he 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.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you
have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have
believed.”
—John 20:26–29
Reflection:
St. Paul said that we who were baptized into Christ were
baptized into His death, that as Christ Jesus was raised, so too
will we all be raised into eternal life (see Romans 6:3–4).
Prayer:
We believe in the resurrection, that it will lead to each of us
having eternal life after we leave this world, not because we
have seen, as Thomas did, but because we have faith. Lord, I
do believe. Please help my unbelief, that I can have a confident
faith. Amen.

Sunday: Be Carried Into Heaven
2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension
Scripture:
Jesus answered [Nathaniel] and said to him, “Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will
see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen,
I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
—John 1:50–51
Reflection:
Christ’s ascension into heaven gives us the sure hope that we,
too, will be carried into heaven one day, following Him there.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, grant that I may be taken into heaven with as many
of my brothers and sisters here as possible. Amen.

Sunday: Share His Gifts and Fruits
3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the
Holy Spirit on Our Lady and the Apostles
Scripture:
“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your
servants to speak your word with all boldness, as you stretch
forth [your] hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done
through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” As they prayed,
the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all
filled with the holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of
God with boldness.
—Acts 4:29–31
Reflection:
Here, we are connected to the ascended Christ Jesus through
the Holy Spirit. Mary was connected to the Holy Spirit her
whole life, being full of grace, and then being overshadowed
by the same Spirit at the annunciation.
Prayer:
At the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Mary was the
mother of the church, assisting in praying for the Holy Spirit
for the entire group of Jesus’s followers, although the Spirit had
never left her. Dear Blessed Mother, please pray for me to allow
the Holy Spirit to have His way with me during my earthly
life, and bestow His gifts and fruits, so that I may share them
with others and do my own part in facilitating the creation of
a world at peace. Amen.

Sunday: Make it Into Heaven
4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
Scripture:
Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of
the Lamb.
—Revelation 19:9
Reflection:
Although the assumption of Mary was not recorded in the
gospels, it has been celebrated back to apostolic times.
Prayer:
The assumption of Mary is an anticipation of the resurrection
of other Christians (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church,
No. 966). Lord Jesus, please help all my brothers and sisters to
make it into heaven; encourage them to not choose hell. Amen.

Sunday: Perfect Reflection of Jesus
5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of our
Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Scripture:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to
be holy and without blemish before him. In love, he destined
us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with
the favor of his will.
—Ephesians 1:3–5
Reflection:
The Queenship of Mary follows with the tradition of her lofty
position in the church since very early in the Christian religion;
she was the guide for the disciples in their prayer at Pentecost.
Prayer:
The Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of the Church, will assist in
guiding me to my blessed adoption by God the Father, through
her intercession. Christ Jesus, make me a perfect reflection of
You so that I can stand in Your holy presence. Amen.