They are usually the first ones people learn, and they open the week: in them we see Mary saying yes, Elizabeth welcoming her, Bethlehem, the Temple. They are prayed on Mondays and Saturdays, and also on the Sundays of Advent and Christmas.
In each mystery we pray one decade (an Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be) and ask for a particular fruit. If you’re not sure which ones are prayed today, check today’s mysteries.
I
The Annunciation
Fruit humility Passage Lk 1:26-38
And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.Lk 1:26-38
II
The Visitation
Fruit love of neighbor Passage Lk 1:39-56
And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth.Lk 1:39-56
III
The Nativity
Fruit spirit of poverty Passage Lk 2:1-20
And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled.Lk 2:1-20
IV
The Presentation in the Temple
Fruit obedience Passage Lk 2:22-35
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: as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.Lk 2:22-35
V
The Finding in the Temple
Fruit seeking God in all things Passage Lk 2:41-52
And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch, and when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, and having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in J…Lk 2:41-52
How to pray them
Begin with the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles’ Creed, then go through the mysteries one by one: announce it, meditate on its passage and pray the decade. At the end, the Hail, Holy Queen. The full order, with every prayer, is in how to pray the Rosary, step by step.
