Sorrowful Mysteries

The Sorrowful Mysteries (Mysteria Dolorosa) are prayed on Tuesday and Friday. 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 Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden

Agonía in Horto (ah-goh-NEE-ah een OHR-toh)

Luke 22:43-44 · Douay-Rheims

“And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed the longer. And his sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground.”

Fruit of the mystery: Sorrow for sin

In plain words

On the night before He died, Jesus went to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew the suffering that lay ahead, and He felt deep anguish. His sweat fell like drops of blood. He prayed to His Father, "Not my will, but thine be done." An angel came to strengthen Him. His closest disciples fell asleep nearby.

Picture: Jesus kneeling in prayer among the olive trees at night.
Hold in your heart: Sorrow for sin, and trust in God's will when things are hard.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, stay with Jesus in prayer, as His disciples did not.

Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar

Flagellátio (flah-jel-LAH-tsee-oh)

John 19:1 · Douay-Rheims

“Then therefore, Pilate took Jesus, and scourged him.”

Fruit of the mystery: Purity

In plain words

The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, had Jesus scourged, which means whipped. It was a brutal punishment. Jesus did not resist or curse those who hurt Him. He accepted this suffering freely, out of love, to save us from our sins.

Picture: Jesus bound to a pillar, patient and silent.
Hold in your heart: Purity: keeping body and heart clean for God.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, thank Jesus for one way He has shown you His love.

Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns

Coronátio Spinis (koh-roh-NAH-tsee-oh SPEE-nees)

Matthew 27:29 · Douay-Rheims

“And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, king of the Jews.”

Fruit of the mystery: Moral courage

In plain words

Soldiers mocked Jesus. They twisted thorns into a crown and pressed it onto His head. They put a reed in His hand and knelt in front of Him, jeering, "Hail, king of the Jews." Jesus truly is King, though His kingdom is not of this world. He bore their contempt in silence.

Picture: The crown of thorns, and Jesus' calm face.
Hold in your heart: Moral courage: doing what is right even when others ridicule us.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, ask for courage in one situation you are facing.

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross

Baiulátio Crucis (bah-yoo-LAH-tsee-oh KROO-chees)

John 19:17 · Douay-Rheims

“And bearing his own cross, he went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha.”

Fruit of the mystery: Patience

In plain words

Jesus was made to carry His cross through the streets to a hill outside Jerusalem called Calvary. Weakened by the scourging, He struggled under its weight. The soldiers forced a man named Simon of Cyrene to help Him. Jesus kept going, step by step, out of love for us.

Picture: Jesus and Simon carrying the cross together.
Hold in your heart: Patience: bearing hardship without giving up.
Try this: Bring one burden you carry right now, and offer it to God with each bead.

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion

Crucifíxio et Mors (kroo-chee-FEEK-see-oh eht mohrs)

Luke 23:46 · Douay-Rheims

“And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And saying this, he gave up the ghost.”

Fruit of the mystery: Perseverance

In plain words

Jesus was nailed to the cross. After about three hours He died. Even there, He forgave those who crucified Him. He gave His mother Mary to the apostle John, and through him to all of us, as our mother. By His death Jesus paid the price for our sins and opened the way to eternal life with God.

Picture: Mary and John standing at the foot of the cross.
Hold in your heart: Perseverance: staying faithful to Jesus to the end.
Try this: With each Hail Mary, thank Jesus quietly for giving His life for you.

The other mysteries

Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday)
Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday)
Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

Questions

When are the Sorrowful Mysteries prayed?

On Tuesday and Friday.

What are the five Sorrowful Mysteries?

The Agony in the Garden, The Scourging at the Pillar, The Crowning with Thorns, The Carrying of the Cross, The Crucifixion.

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