ROSARY MEDITATIONS- SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

Meditations for the 5 Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary

A thought is suggested for each of the 10 Hail Marys in each decade. Some people find it helpful simply to gaze at a picture depicting the mystery. The Sorrowful Mysteries are usually prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays, and also on Sundays during Lent.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

I. The Agony in the Garden

1. After the Last Supper Jesus and the Apostles go to the Garden of Olives.
2. Jesus asks the Apostles to watch with Him.
3. Jesus withdraws and prays.
4. As He thinks of what He is to suffer and of our ingratitude, He is bathed in a sweat of blood.
5. Jesus awakens the Apostles, who have fallen asleep from weariness.
6. He returns to His prayer, and asks His Father that this chalice to pass away.
7. Jesus again finds the Apostles sleeping.
8. He returns to His prayer; an Angel comes to comfort Him.
9. Mary keeps an agonizing vigil.
10. Jesus goes to meet His betrayer.

II. The Scourging

1. The people cry for Christ’s crucifixion.
2. Pilate orders Jesus to be scourged even though He is innocent.
3. Jesus is stripped and bound to the pillar.
4. He is scourged by the soldiers.
5. Jesus suffers without complaint.
6. Jesus atones for our sins of the flesh.
7. Mary suffers in compassion.
8. Jesus is scourged above measure.
9. The prophecy of Isaias is fulfilled (53:5).
10. The Holy Shroud bears witness to the lashes.

III. The Crowning with Thorns

1. The soldiers surround Christ and mock Him.
2. Jesus is clothed in royal purple.
3. The soldiers form a crown of thorns and place it on His head.
4. They crush it down so that the thorns pierce His sacred head.
5. The soldiers place a reed in Jesus’ hand and mock Him.
6. They spit upon Him and strike His face.
7. Jesus is beaten with the reed.
8. He suffers meekly.
9. Mary suffers in compassion.
10. Pilate shows Jesus to the people: “Ecce Homo!”

IV. The Carrying of the Cross

1. Pilate, washing his hands, condemns Jesus to death.
2. The Apostles flee in fear.
3. Jesus takes up His cross.
4. He is so weak from the scourging that soon He falls beneath it.
5. The people jeer at Christ.
6. Jesus meets his afflicted Mother.
7. Simon is made to help Jesus carry the cross.
8. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
9. Jesus speaks to the weeping women.
10. Jesus climbs Calvary.

V. The Crucifixion

1. Jesus is stripped of His garments.
2. He is nailed to the cross and it is raised.
3. The soldiers cast lots for Christ’s robe.
4. The people mock Jesus: “If thou art the Christ, come down from the cross!”
5. Jesus prays for His enemies: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”
6. He promises paradise to the thief.
7. He leaves us His mother: “Son, behold thy mother!”
8. Jesus gives up His spirit: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.”
9. Jesus is taken down from the cross and laid in His Mother’s arms.
10. Jesus is laid in the tomb.