The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden

In Gethsemane, Jesus takes the weight of every sin into His Sacred Heart. He sweats blood. And yet, He surrenders: not my will, but Yours be done.

He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. … “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.”

— Luke 22:39–46

The Scourging at the Pillar

The sinless Lamb is torn open for love of sinners. Every lash is a prayer for our purification, every wound a mouth crying mercy on us.

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. … He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed.

— John 19:1; Isaiah 53:5

The Crowning with Thorns

Soldiers mock the King of Kings, crowning Him with thorns. Pride is dethroned by the meekness of the Lamb. He is silent, and His silence is His sermon.

Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

— Matthew 27:27–31

The Carrying of the Cross

Jesus walks the road of Calvary, bearing the wood of the cross. Mary meets Him on the way. He falls, and rises, and falls again — for us.

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 23:26–32

The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

Christ is lifted up on the Cross. He forgives His executioners, opens paradise to the thief, gives His Mother to John — and to us — and surrenders His Spirit to the Father. It is finished. It is begun.

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 23:33–46