Icons and Mysteries

Apostles Creed

The 1st Joyful Mystery:

The Annunciation of the Incarnation

The 2nd Joyful Mystery:

The Visitation of Mary with her Cousin Elizabeth

The 3rd Joyful Mystery:

The Nativity of Jesus in the Stable at Bethlehem

The 4th Joyful Mystery:

The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple

The 5th Joyful Mystery:

The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

The First Sorrowful Mystery:

The Agony in the Garden

The Second Sorrowful Mystery:

The Scourging at the Pillar

The Third Sorrowful Mystery:

The Crowning with Thorns

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery:

The Carrying of the Cross

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery:

The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord

The First Glorious Mystery:

The Resurrection of Our Lord from the Dead

The Second Glorious Mystery:

The Ascension of Our Lord

The Third Glorious Mystery:

The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

The Fourth Glorious Mystery:

The Assumption of Mary, Body and Soul, into Heaven

The Fifth Glorious Mystery:

The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

Closing Prayer

Personal Prayer Meditations

The 1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation of the Incarnation
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this most sacred mystery in which you became man, give me the grace to discern properly Your holy will and the docility to accept it.
The 2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation of Mary with her Cousin Elizabeth
    O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to be a true servant to others.
The 3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity of Jesus in the Stable at Bethlehem
    O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this most sacred mystery in which for the first time humanity beheld Your human face, give me a spirit of poverty and gratitude for Your many blessings.
The 4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple
    O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to be obedient to all whom You have placed in authority over me - especially Your Church.
The 5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple
    O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the perseverance to search for You and to find You in all persons, at all times, in all place, and in all things.

The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to conform my will to Yours.
The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to be detached from all the sinful desires of the flesh.
The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to be detached from all the sinful desires of the mind.
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to pick-up  my cross and to follow You, the humility to allow others to help me along the way, and the charity to help them.
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this most sacred mystery in which You gave Your life for me, give me the grace to forgive others, as You forgave us.

The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Our Lord from the Dead
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this most sacred of all mysteries in which you conquered death by death, give me Your peace.
The Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Our Lord
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the knowledge and understanding of Your mysteries so that I might better live out your command to go and teach all nations.
The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this most sacred mystery in which You filled Your Church with Your Holy Spirit, give me the burning zeal to share Your holy Gospel.
The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary, Body and Soul, into Heaven
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the blessing of being united with my family in the eternal beatitude of heaven.
The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to live out my calling with charity, humility, and perseverance, so that I may receive from You the crown of glory that You made for me from the foundation of the world.

Scriptural Meditations

The 1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation of the Incarnation
   “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
The 2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation of Mary with her Cousin Elizabeth
   "How does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43)
The 3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity of Jesus in the Stable at Bethlehem
   "You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)
The 4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple
   "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel." (Luke 2:34)
The 5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple
   “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” (Luke 2:48)

The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
   “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matt. 26:39)
The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
   "I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” (Luke 23:22)
The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns
   “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Matt. 27:29)
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
   “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children." (Luke 23:28)
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord
   “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46)

The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Our Lord from the Dead
   “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19)
The Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Our Lord
   "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19)
The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
   "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:38)
The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary, Body and Soul, into Heaven
   "Well done, my good and faithful servant... Come, share your master’s joy." (Matt. 25:21)
The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
   "Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matt. 25:34)

Introduction to the Chaplet of St. Joseph

As we continue the Month of the Holy Rosary, I'd like to share with you a devotional prayer that has been a huge part of my life for the last seven or so years: the Chaplet of St. Joseph. In fact, it is because of the Chaplet, I fell in love with Joe's patronage.

The reason I bring it up now is because it is based on the rosary itself - much like the dignity of Joe emanates from the dignity of his holy spouse, whose dignity emanates from the dignity of her Son.


-It begins with the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles Creed.

-Afterwards, for each of the traditional 15 mysteries of the rosary, there is:
1) a meditation on the mystery,
2) two Hail Mary's, and
3) three recitations of "Praised and blessed be Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!"
               It's literally as simple as 1, 2, 3!

-Then, after praying through the 15 mysteries:
"Pray for us O holy St. Joseph.
     That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ."

- Finally, in conclusion:
"O, God, Who had predestined St. Joseph from all eternity for the service of Thine Eternal Son and His Blessed Mother, and made him worthy to be the spouse of the Blessed Virgin and the foster father of Thy Son: we beseech Thee, through all the services he has rendered to Jesus and Mary on earth, that Thou wouldst make us worthy of his intercession and grant us to enjoy the happiness of his company in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen"

Over the course of the next couple weeks, I will share various meditations for the 15 mysteries that have developed over the years in my praying through the Chaplet. 

As I have experienced miraculous effects through Joe's intercession in this Chaplet, I hope that you too will experience miraculous healing as I have!

Ad Te Beate Ioseph

As we begin the month of October -the month of the Holy Rosary- my posts will revolve around the Rosary.

Today, I share with you an indulgenced prayer written by Pope Leo XIII in 1889, which is recommended to be prayed at the conclusion of praying the Rosary:

To you, O blessed Joseph,
do we come in our tribulation,
and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse,
we confidently invoke your patronage also.

Through that charity which bound you
to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God
and through the paternal love
with which you embraced the Child Jesus,
we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance
which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood,
and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.

O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family,
defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; 
O most loving father, ward off from us
every contagion of error and corrupting influence; 
O our most mighty protector, be kind to us
and from heaven assist us in our struggle
with the power of darkness.

As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril,
so now protect God's Holy Church
from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity;
shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection,
so that, supported by your example and your aid,
we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness,
and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven.

Amen.

You can also listen to a beautiful musical rendition of the Latin text of the prayer: