Glorious Mysteries

The Glorious Mysteries (Mysteria Gloriosa) are prayed on Wednesday and Sunday. For each mystery, pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, a Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer while picturing the scene. How to pray the Rosary.

First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection

Resurréctio (reh-soor-REK-tsee-oh)

Mark 16:6 · Douay-Rheims

“Who saith to them: Be not affrighted; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he is risen, he is not here, behold the place where they laid him.”

Fruit of the mystery: Faith

In plain words

Early on Sunday morning, women who followed Jesus came to His tomb and found it empty. An angel told them, "He is risen; he is not here." Jesus had truly risen from the dead, body and soul, never to die again. Over the following days He appeared to His disciples many times.

Picture: The stone rolled away, and morning light filling the empty tomb.
Hold in your heart: Faith: believing that Jesus is truly risen and alive.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, picture one of the disciples meeting the risen Jesus.

Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension

Ascénsio (ah-SHEN-see-oh)

Luke 24:51 · Douay-Rheims

“And it came to pass, whilst he blessed them, he departed from them, and was carried up to heaven.”

Fruit of the mystery: Hope

In plain words

Forty days after rising from the dead, Jesus blessed His disciples and was taken up into heaven. This is called the Ascension. He promised to send the Holy Spirit and to be with us always. He now reigns with the Father and has gone to prepare a place for us.

Picture: Jesus rising from the hillside, His hands raised in blessing.
Hold in your heart: Hope: longing for heaven, our true home.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, think of heaven and of those you hope to see there.

Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit

Descénsus Spíritus Sancti (deh-SHEN-soos SPEE-ree-toos SAHNK-tee)

Acts 2:4 · Douay-Rheims

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.”

Fruit of the mystery: Love of God

In plain words

Ten days after the Ascension, on the Jewish feast of Pentecost, Mary and the apostles were gathered in prayer. Suddenly there came a sound like a strong wind, and what looked like tongues of fire rested on each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. Fearful men became bold, and they went out to preach about Jesus.

Picture: A small flame resting above each person in the room.
Hold in your heart: Love of God, and openness to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Try this: Before each Hail Mary, pray, "Come, Holy Spirit."

Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption

Assúmptio (ahs-SOOMP-tsee-oh)

Luke 1:48 (typological / Marian) · Douay-Rheims

“Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”

Fruit of the mystery: Grace of a happy death

Defined dogma: Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus (1950)

In plain words

When the course of Mary's life on earth was finished, God took her, body and soul, into the glory of heaven. This is called the Assumption. It is a dogma, a truth the Church solemnly teaches and all Catholics believe. Pope Pius XII defined it in 1950. Mary received this gift because she is the Mother of God and was preserved from all sin. What God did for her, He promises to all the faithful at the end of time.

Picture: Mary welcomed into heaven by her Son.
Hold in your heart: The grace of a happy death, and devotion to Mary.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, ask Mary to stay near you now and at the hour of your death.

Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary

Coronátio Beátæ Maríæ Vírginis (koh-roh-NAH-tsee-oh beh-AH-teh mah-REE-eh VEER-jee-nees)

Apocalypse 12:1 (typological) · Douay-Rheims

“And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”

Fruit of the mystery: Trust in Mary's intercession

Church teaching: Pius XII, Ad Caeli Reginam (1954); Lumen Gentium 59

In plain words

The Church honors Mary as Queen of Heaven and earth. This is Church teaching, not a scene described in the Bible. She is queen because she is the mother of Jesus, who is King, and because she shared closely in His work of saving us. Mary is not divine. She is a creature, like us, whom God has raised up. As queen and mother she prays for us, and we can ask for her help at any time.

Picture: Mary crowned in glory beside her Son. Artists often show twelve stars, an image from the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse 12:1).
Hold in your heart: Trust in Mary's intercession, that is, her prayers on our behalf.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, entrust one concern to Mary and ask her to bring it to Jesus.

The other mysteries

Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday)
Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday)
Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

Questions

When are the Glorious Mysteries prayed?

On Wednesday and Sunday.

What are the five Glorious Mysteries?

The Resurrection, The Ascension, The Descent of the Holy Spirit, The Assumption, The Coronation of Mary.

Where do the Scripture quotes come from?

Each mystery is quoted from the Douay-Rheims Bible, a traditional Catholic English translation.

Source: latinrosary.org · Updated October 16, 2026