The Sorrowful Mysteries
Said on Tuesdays and Fridays
In the Sorrowful Mysteries we stand beneath the Cross of Jesus, coming face to face with the truth of his insistence that the Christ must suffer and die. No matter that we long to cry out, if only we had been there; we still encounter the reality of our human position and the truth that is Our Lord’s. We sense the sword piercing the heart of his Mother, and pray that it may open our whole being to the agony and the power that the infinite love of Jesus in his Passion chose and endured for us.
1. The Agony in the Garden
At Gethsemane, Jesus prays as He contemplates the sins of the world.
“In His anguish He prayed with all the greater intensity, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. Then He rose from prayer and came to His disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted with grief.” (Luke 22:44-45)
Fruit of the Mystery: Contrition
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
Jesus is cruelly scourged until His mortified body could bear no more.
“Pilate’s next move was to take Jesus and have Him scourged.” (John 19:1)
Fruit of the Mystery: Purity
3. The Crowning with Thorns
A crown of thorns is placed on the head of Jesus.
“They stripped off His clothes and wrapped Him in a scarlet military cloak. Weaving a crown out of thorns they fixed it on His head, and stuck a reed in His right hand …” (Matthew 27:28-29)
Fruit of the Mystery: Courage
4. The Carrying of the Cross
Jesus carries the heavy cross upon His shoulders to Calvary.
“… carrying the cross by Himself, He went out to what is called the Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).” (John 19:17)
Fruit of the Mystery: Patience
5. The Crucifixion
Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies after hours of agony.
“Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.’ After He said this, He expired.” (Luke 23:46)
Fruit of the Mystery: Perseverance