Luminous Mysteries

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The Luminous Mysteries (Mysteria Luminosa) are prayed on Thursday. 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 Luminous Mystery: The Baptism in the Jordan

Baptísmus in Iordáne (bahp-TEEZ-moos een yohr-DAH-neh)

Matthew 3:17 · Douay-Rheims

“And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Fruit of the mystery: Openness to the Holy Spirit

In plain words

Jesus came to the Jordan River, where John the Baptist was baptizing. Jesus had no sin, yet He asked John to baptize Him. As He came up from the water, the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove. The Father's voice said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." In our own baptism we become children of God.

Picture: Jesus standing in the river, with the dove above Him.
Hold in your heart: Openness to the Holy Spirit.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, remember that through baptism you are a beloved child of God.

Second Luminous Mystery: The Wedding at Cana

Núptiæ Canénses (NOOP-tsee-eh kah-NEN-ses)

John 2:5 · Douay-Rheims

“His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.”

Fruit of the mystery: To Jesus through Mary

In plain words

Jesus, His mother, and His disciples were guests at a wedding in Cana. The wine ran out. Mary told Jesus, and then said to the servants, "Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." Jesus turned six large jars of water into excellent wine. It was the first of His miracles, which the Gospel calls signs.

Picture: The servants drawing out water that has become wine.
Hold in your heart: Going to Jesus through Mary.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, bring Mary one need, as she brought the couple's need to Jesus.

Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom

Proclamátio Regni Dei (proh-klah-MAH-tsee-oh REH-nyee DEH-ee)

Mark 1:15 · Douay-Rheims

“And saying: The time is accomplished, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel.”

Fruit of the mystery: Repentance

In plain words

Jesus traveled through Galilee announcing, "The kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel." To repent means to turn away from sin and back to God. He healed the sick, forgave sins, and welcomed sinners. He still offers this forgiveness today, especially in the sacrament of Confession.

Picture: Jesus teaching a crowd on a hillside.
Hold in your heart: Repentance and conversion of heart.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, ask for the grace to turn from one particular sin.

Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration

Transfigurátio (trahns-fee-goo-RAH-tsee-oh)

Matthew 17:2 · Douay-Rheims

“And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow.”

Fruit of the mystery: Desire for holiness

In plain words

Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There He was transfigured, which means His appearance changed before them. His face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as snow. Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Him. A voice from the cloud said, "This is my most beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him."

Picture: Jesus shining with light on the mountaintop.
Hold in your heart: A desire for holiness.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, ask Jesus to let His light reach a part of your life that needs it.

Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist

Institútio Eucharistíæ (een-stee-TOO-tsee-oh eh-oo-kah-rees-TEE-eh)

Matthew 26:26 · Douay-Rheims

“And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body.”

Fruit of the mystery: Adoration

In plain words

At the Last Supper, the night before He died, Jesus took bread and said, "This is my body." He took the cup of wine and said, "This is my blood." In this way He gave us the Eucharist, the sacrament of His Body and Blood. At every Mass, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the words of Christ spoken by the priest, the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Jesus. They still look and taste like bread and wine, but they are no longer bread and wine. Jesus Himself is really present, not just a symbol.

Picture: Jesus at the table with His apostles, holding the bread.
Hold in your heart: Adoration: worshiping Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, adore Him quietly: "My Lord and my God."

The other mysteries

• Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday)
• Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday)
• Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday)

Source: latinrosary.org · Updated October 16, 2026

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