The mysteries

The Luminous Mysteries

Prayed on Thursdays

The mysteries of Christ's public life — light breaking into the world, from the Jordan to the upper room.

Pray today

The five mysteries

1. The Baptism in the Jordan

2. The Wedding at Cana

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom

4. The Transfiguration

5. The Institution of the Eucharist

How this set is prayed

The order below is the received form. Wording and small customs vary from place to place — the shape does not.

Before the first decade

The Sign of the Cross Make the Sign of the Cross.
The Apostles’ Creed Holding the crucifix, pray the Apostles’ Creed.
The Our Father On the first bead, pray the Our Father.
Three Hail Marys On each of the next three beads, a Hail Mary — for faith, hope and love.
The Glory Be Close the pendant with the Glory Be.

The five decades

First — The Baptism in the Jordan Announce the mystery · Our Father · ten Hail Marys · Glory Be Mt 3,13–17
Second — The Wedding at Cana Announce the mystery · Our Father · ten Hail Marys · Glory Be Joh 2,1–12
Third — The Proclamation of the Kingdom Announce the mystery · Our Father · ten Hail Marys · Glory Be Mk 1,14–15
Fourth — The Transfiguration Announce the mystery · Our Father · ten Hail Marys · Glory Be Mt 17,1–8
Fifth — The Institution of the Eucharist Announce the mystery · Our Father · ten Hail Marys · Glory Be Mt 26,26–29

After the fifth decade

The Hail Holy Queen After the fifth decade, pray the Hail Holy Queen.
The Sign of the Cross End as you began, with the Sign of the Cross.

A rosary of five decades — an aid, not a requirement; the prayers may also be counted on the fingers.

Questions

On which day are the Luminous Mysteries prayed?

On Thursdays.

When were the Luminous Mysteries added?

In 2002, by Pope John Paul II in the apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae. They are the only set not part of the older tradition, and they remain a proposal rather than an obligation.