The Joyful Mysteries

Five mysteries for today, each with a painting from the day’s world. Read them here — or press Start praying for the fullscreen prayer.

Mystery 1 of 5

The Annunciation

Lk 1,26–38

See the white dove — it sinks straight down through the darkness, all the way from above to Mary. Between heaven and humankind lies nothing but night, and still the Spirit finds the way. Her hand rests on her chest, the book still open: she has been praying, and the answer comes differently than she expected. Where may God descend into the middle of your darkness today?

Fruit of the mystery: Humility

Hans Rottenhammer · Annunciation (1610) · Minneapolis Institute of Art · Source

Mystery 2 of 5

The Visitation

Lk 1,39–56

Look at the center of the picture: two women reaching out to take each other's hand — and neither comes empty-handed. Each carries a child beneath her heart that no one can yet see. Elizabeth recognizes what dwells in Mary before a word is spoken; her free hand already points out beyond the road. Who are you going out to meet today — and who recognizes what you carry within you?

Fruit of the mystery: Love of neighbour

Unknown · The Visitation (1530) · Source

Mystery 3 of 5

The Nativity

Lk 2,1–20

See where the light comes from: not from a candle, but from the child himself, lying naked on the white cloth. Everything bends toward him — Mary folds her hands instead of holding him. And at the very front, in the corner, a shepherd has set down a basket of white eggs, the little that he had. God makes himself so small that even the poor can bring him something. What will you lay before the manger today — and is the little you have enough?

Fruit of the mystery: Poverty of spirit

Camillo Procaccini · Nativity (1596) · Source

Mystery 4 of 5

The Presentation in the Temple

Lk 2,22–38

Look at the open, empty hands of the woman at the edge — she does not hold the child tight; she lets him climb the steps. Alone he carries a slender white candle upward, toward the priest in the mitre who already waits above. To offer means placing what you love into God's hands instead of clutching it. What are you holding so tightly today that you can hardly let it climb the steps?

Fruit of the mystery: Obedience

Lavinia Fontana · La Présentation de Marie au Temple (1575) · Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal · Source

Mystery 5 of 5

The Finding in the Temple

Lk 2,41–52

Look at the hands: all around, the scholars hold heavy books; one points his finger at a line in the text. Only the boy in the middle holds nothing — his hands are open, empty. He does not carry the Scripture; he is the Scripture. His parents searched three days and found him where he belongs. Where are you searching for him today — and are you clinging too tightly to your own knowledge?

Fruit of the mystery: Seeking God

Ludovico Mazzolino · The Twelve-Year-Old Jesus Teaching in the Temple (1524) · Gemäldegalerie Berlin · Source