The Scriptural Sorrowful Mysteries
(Tuesday & Friday)
The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
Opening Prayers
Sign of the Cross: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Apostles' Creed: "I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen."
Our Father: "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen."
Three Hail Marys:
For an increase in Faith: "Hail Mary..."
For an increase in Hope: "Hail Mary..."
For an increase in Charity: "Hail Mary..."
Glory Be: "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."
O My Jesus: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy."
1st Sorrowful Mystery:
The Agony in the Garden
Our Father
1. "Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane" (Matt 26:36)
2. "He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee" (Matt 26:37)
3. "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me" (Matt 26:38)
4. "He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer" (Matt 26:39)
5. "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me" (Matt 26:39)
6. "Yet, not as I will, but as you will" (Matt 26:39)
7. "When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep" (Matt 26:40)
8. "Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test" (Matt 26:41)
9. "His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground" (Luke 22:44)
10. "An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him" (Luke 22:43)
Glory Be... O My Jesus...
2nd Sorrowful Mystery:
The Scourging at the Pillar
Our Father...
1. "Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged" (John 19:1)
2. "The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns" (John 19:2)
3. "They clothed him in purple" (Mark 15:17)
4. "They kept coming up to him, saying 'Hail, King of the Jews!'" (John 19:3)
5. "And struck him on the face" (John 19:3)
6. "He was wounded for our transgressions" (Isaiah 53:5)
7. "By his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5)
8. "He gave his back to those who struck him" (Isaiah 50:6)
9. "His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance" (Isaiah 52:14)
10. "Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7)
Glory Be... O My Jesus...
3rd Sorrowful Mystery:
The Crowning with Thorns
Our Father...
1. "The soldiers led him away inside the palace" (Mark 15:16)
2. "They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him" (Mark 15:17)
3. "They began to salute him with, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'" (Mark 15:18)
4. "They struck his head with a reed" (Mark 15:19)
5. "They spat upon him" (Mark 15:19)
6. "They knelt before him in homage" (Mark 15:19)
7. "Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns" (John 19:5)
8. "Behold, the man!" (John 19:5)
9. "He was despised and rejected by men" (Isaiah 53:3)
10. "A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3)
Glory Be... O My Jesus...
4th Sorrowful Mystery:
The Carrying of the Cross
Our Father...
1. "Carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull" (John 19:17)
2. "As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene" (Luke 23:26)
3. "They compelled him to carry his cross" (Mark 15:21)
4. "A large crowd of people followed Jesus" (Luke 23:27)
5. "Including many women who mourned and lamented him" (Luke 23:27)
6. "Jesus turned to them and said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me'" (Luke 23:28)
7. "Weep for yourselves and for your children" (Luke 23:28)
8. "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27)
9. "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself" (Matt 16:24)
10. "Take up his cross, and follow me" (Matt 16:24)
Glory Be... O My Jesus...
5th Sorrowful Mystery:
The Crucifixion
Our Father...
1. "When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him" (Luke 23:33)
2. "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34)
3. "Today you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43)
4. "Woman, behold, your son... Behold, your mother" (John 19:26-27)
5. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt 27:46)
6. "I thirst" (John 19:28)
7. "It is finished" (John 19:30)
8. "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46)
9. "One soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out" (John 19:34)
10. "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39)
Glory Be... O My Jesus...
Closing Prayers
Hail Holy Queen: "Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary."
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: O God, whose Only Begotten Son, by his life, Death, and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sign of the Cross: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
The Joy of Praying
The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Sorrowful Mysteries
Praying the Sorrowful Mysteries opens our hearts to one of the deepest paradoxes of our faith - that in Christ's suffering, we find profound joy and hope. By walking with Jesus through these moments of His Passion, we discover that no human suffering is meaningless or faced alone.
When we meditate on Jesus in Gethsemane, we witness perfect trust in the Father's will, even in moments of intense anguish. This teaches us that we too can bring our fears and sorrows to God with complete honesty while still saying "Thy will be done." There's something deeply comforting in knowing that Jesus himself experienced human anxiety and dread, yet remained faithful.
The physical sufferings of the scourging and crowning with thorns remind us that Christ fully embraced our human condition, including its pain and humiliation. When we face our own trials, these mysteries assure us that Jesus understands our pain intimately - not as a distant observer, but as one who has felt every lash. This solidarity brings tremendous consolation.
In contemplating Jesus carrying His cross, we learn that our own crosses - whether illness, loss, or daily struggles - can be united with His. Each step He took to Calvary was taken with love, not just for humanity in general, but for each of us personally. When our burdens feel too heavy, we can remember Simon of Cyrene and know that Jesus sends us help, often through others, just as He received help with His cross.
The Crucifixion reveals the ultimate truth that love is stronger than death. Even in His final moments, Jesus was thinking of others - forgiving His executioners, caring for His mother and John, promising Paradise to the repentant thief. This teaches us that no situation is so dark that love cannot transform it.
These mysteries bring joy precisely because they show us that suffering united with Christ's suffering bears fruit in resurrection. They assure us that God can bring good out of even the most painful circumstances. When we pray them with an open heart, we begin to understand St. Paul's words about sharing in Christ's sufferings in order to share in His glory.
Moreover, praying these mysteries alongside Mary helps us see them through her eyes of faith. She who stood at the foot of the cross teaches us how to remain faithful in our darkest hours and how to trust that God's love will prevail. Her motherly presence accompanies us as we contemplate each mystery, helping us find the hidden grace within each moment of suffering.
In a world that often tries to avoid or deny suffering, the Sorrowful Mysteries show us how to embrace our crosses with dignity and hope. They remind us that our temporary trials, when united with Christ's Passion, can bear eternal fruit. This brings a deep, lasting joy that superficial pleasures cannot match - the joy of knowing we are never alone in our suffering and that every Good Friday leads to an Easter Sunday.
Through regular meditation on these mysteries, we develop a more profound appreciation for Christ's love and sacrifice, while growing in our capacity to face life's challenges with grace and trust. This transformation of our perspective on suffering is perhaps one of the greatest gifts these mysteries offer us - they teach us how to find light in darkness, hope in despair, and yes, joy in sorrow.
©2025 James Dacey Jr.
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