The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary

The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary are the Agony in the Garden, the Scourging at the Pillar, the Crowning with Thorns, the Carrying of the Cross and the Crucifixion. They are prayed on Tuesday and Friday.

Also on the Sundays of Lent.

For each mystery, read the Scripture, hold the meditation in mind, and pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be. See how to pray the Rosary for the opening and closing prayers.

1. The Agony in the Garden

Fruit of the mystery: Sorrow for sin

Saying: Father, if thou wilt, remove this chalice from me: but yet not my will, but thine be done.

On the night before He dies, Jesus kneels in the garden of Gethsemane, so distressed that His sweat falls like drops of blood. He feels the full weight of what is coming and still hands Himself over to the Father. He did not hide His fear, and you do not have to hide yours. When you are overwhelmed, pray as He prayed, honestly, and let Him carry you. He has already been where you are.

Intention. For all who are anxious, afraid, or facing a hard decision tonight.

2. The Scourging at the Pillar

Fruit of the mystery: Purity

Then therefore, Pilate took Jesus, and scourged him.

Jesus is tied to a pillar and whipped by soldiers until His body is torn. He bears it in silence, out of love for the very people who wound Him. Every blow was taken for our sins, including the ones we are most ashamed of. Nothing you have done is beyond the reach of that love. Ask Him for a clean heart, and for the courage to bring your sins to Him in confession.

Intention. For those who suffer violence or abuse, and for the healing of their wounds.

3. The Crowning with Thorns

Fruit of the mystery: Courage

And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, king of the Jews.

The soldiers press a crown of thorns onto His head, put a reed in His hand, and kneel in mockery. The true King of the universe lets Himself be laughed at. He shows us that real dignity comes from the Father's love, not from what others say about us. When you are mocked or misunderstood, especially for your faith, stay close to Him. Your worth was settled at the cross.

Intention. For Christians who are mocked or persecuted for their faith.

4. The Carrying of the Cross

Fruit of the mystery: Patience

And bearing his own cross, he went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha.

Weak from the scourging, Jesus carries the heavy beam of His cross through the streets toward Calvary. He falls, and gets up, and keeps going, and on the way He meets His mother. He asks His followers to take up their own crosses, but He never asks us to carry them alone. Name the cross you are carrying right now. Walk the next step with Him, and let others help you as Simon helped Him.

Intention. For the sick, the grieving, and everyone carrying a heavy burden.

5. The Crucifixion

Fruit of the mystery: Perseverance

And Jesus crying out with a loud voice, said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And saying this, he gave up the ghost.

Jesus hangs on the cross for three hours, forgives those who crucify Him, gives His mother to the beloved disciple, and dies. This is how much God loves you: He held nothing back. No one can say they are unloved after looking at the cross. Stay here a moment with Mary at its foot. Then place your own life, and your own death one day, into the Father's hands as He did.

Intention. For the dying, and for sinners who most need God's mercy.

The other mysteries

• The Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday)
• The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday)
• The Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)