The Sorrowful Mysteries

First Mystery

The Agony of Jesus in the garden

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Mat 26,36-39). He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. (Luke 22,44)

Fruit of the Mystery: Sorrow for sin, uniformity with the will of God.

Second Mystery

The Scourging of Jesus at the pillar

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying: "Art thou the King of the Jews?" And Jesus said unto him: "Thou sayest". And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him:" Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?" And he answered him to never a word Pilate saith unto them: "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" They all say unto him: "Let him be crucified!" And the governor said:" Why, what evil hath he done?" But they cried out the more, saying: "Let him be crucified!" (Mat 27). And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. (Mar 15,15)

Fruit of the Mystery: Mortification, purity.

Third Mystery

The Crowning with Thorns

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”. They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him. (Mat 27,27-31)

Fruit of the Mystery: Contempt of the world, courage.

Fourth Mystery

The Carrying of the Cross

As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?” Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed. (Luke 23,26-32)

Fruit of the Mystery: Patience.

Fifth Mystery

The crucifixion and death of Jesus

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. ( John 19,25-27)

Fruit of the Mystery: Salvation, forgiveness.