The Joyful Mysteries
The Joyful Mysteries draw us into the wonder of the Incarnation — God-with-us, hidden in the womb of a humble virgin and the daily life of a holy family.
- 1Fruit · Humility
The Annunciation
The angel Gabriel announces to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she has been chosen to be the Mother of God. Mary, with perfect trust, gives her fiat — her yes — and the Word becomes flesh within her.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” … Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
— Luke 1:26–38 - 2Fruit · Love of neighbor
The Visitation
Mary hastens to serve her cousin Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, John the Baptist leaps for joy in the womb. The first to recognize the presence of Christ is an unborn child.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
— Luke 1:39–56 - 3Fruit · Poverty of spirit
The Nativity
The Eternal Word is born in a stable. The King of Heaven is laid in a feeding trough. Shepherds — the poor and unnoticed — are the first to behold the face of God.
She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
— Luke 2:1–20 - 4Fruit · Obedience
The Presentation in the Temple
Mary and Joseph present the Child Jesus in the Temple, fulfilling the Law. Simeon prophesies the sword that will pierce Mary’s soul, foreshadowing her share in her Son’s passion.
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 — and you yourself a sword will pierce — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
— Luke 2:22–38 - 5Fruit · Joy in finding Jesus
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
After three days of anxious searching, Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the Temple — a foreshadowing of the three days of the Tomb. He must always be about His Father’s business.
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. … He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
— Luke 2:41–52