Joyful Mysteries

The Joyful Mysteries (Mysteria Gaudiosa) are prayed on Monday and Saturday. 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 Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation

Annuntiátio (ahn-noon-tsee-AH-tsee-oh)

Luke 1:28 · Douay-Rheims

“And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”

Fruit of the mystery: Humility

In plain words

God sent the angel Gabriel to a young woman in Nazareth named Mary. He told her that God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son. She would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary did not understand everything, but she trusted God. She answered, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word." In that moment the Son of God became man in her womb. The Church calls this the Incarnation.

Picture: Mary in a quiet room in Nazareth, listening to the angel.
Hold in your heart: Humility: saying yes to God before we understand everything.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, offer God your own yes to whatever He asks of you today.

Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation

Visitátio (vee-zee-TAH-tsee-oh)

Luke 1:41-42 · Douay-Rheims

“…And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”

Fruit of the mystery: Love of neighbor

In plain words

After the angel's visit, Mary traveled to the hill country to help her older relative Elizabeth. Elizabeth was expecting a child, the future John the Baptist. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth said, "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." These words became part of the Hail Mary.

Picture: The two women greeting each other at Elizabeth's door.
Hold in your heart: Love of neighbor: going out of our way to serve others.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, pray for one person who needs help, and think of one way you could help them.

Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity

Nativítas Dómini (nah-tee-VEE-tahs DOH-mee-nee)

Luke 2:7 · Douay-Rheims

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Fruit of the mystery: Poverty of spirit

In plain words

Jesus, the Son of God, was born in Bethlehem. There was no room for His family at the inn. Mary wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger, a feeding trough for animals. Angels announced His birth to shepherds, who came to see Him. God chose to enter the world poor and small.

Picture: The infant Jesus in the manger, with Mary and Joseph beside Him.
Hold in your heart: Poverty of spirit: relying on God more than on possessions.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, picture one detail of the scene: the straw, the cold night, the shepherds, the star.

Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple

Præsentátio in Templo (preh-zen-TAH-tsee-oh een TEM-ploh)

Luke 2:22 · Douay-Rheims

“And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord.”

Fruit of the mystery: Obedience

In plain words

Forty days after His birth, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. The Law of Moses asked parents to present a firstborn son to God. An old, devout man named Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God, because he recognized Jesus as the promised Savior. He also told Mary that a sword of sorrow would pierce her soul.

Picture: Simeon holding the child Jesus, with Mary and Joseph looking on.
Hold in your heart: Obedience: doing what God asks, willingly.
Try this: Offer each Hail Mary to God as a small gift placed in His hands.

Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding in the Temple

Invéntio in Templo (een-VEN-tsee-oh een TEM-ploh)

Luke 2:46 · Douay-Rheims

“And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions.”

Fruit of the mystery: Piety

In plain words

When Jesus was twelve, His family went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. On the way home, Mary and Joseph realized He was not with them. They searched for three days and found Him in the Temple, listening to the teachers and asking them questions. Jesus said He had to be in His Father's house. Then He went home with them and was obedient to them.

Picture: Mary's relief when she finally sees her son among the teachers.
Hold in your heart: Piety, and the joy of finding Jesus again.
Try this: When your mind wanders, simply return to Jesus without frustration. Each return is a small finding.

The other mysteries

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday)
Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday)
Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

Questions

When are the Joyful Mysteries prayed?

On Monday and Saturday.

What are the five Joyful Mysteries?

The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Nativity, The Presentation in the Temple, The Finding in the Temple.

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