Scriptural Rosary - Sorrowful Mysteries

The Sorrowful Mysteries

of the Most Holy Rosary

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O God, come to my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful.

Enkindle in them the Fire of Your love.

Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created,

and You shall renew the face of the earth.

Mother of Sorrows, may we stay close to you at the foot of the cross, where you became our Mother. Teach us a faith that is humble and obedient, a hope that proves itself with action and a love that accepts suffering and setback. Help us seek fidelity above honors and God’s will above comforts. May we crucify our pride with Christ on the cross. We ask these things through your intercession, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Apostle’s Creed: I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The First Sorrowful Mystery—The Agony in the Garden

Reflection from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

(612) Jesus prays: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” Thus he expressesd the horror that death represented for his human nature. Like ours, his human nature is destined for eternal life; but unlike ours, it is perfectly exempt from sin, the cause of death….By accepting in his human will that the Father’s will be done, he accepts this death as redemptive, for “he himself bore our sins in his body on the tree.”

1. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane... He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress (Mt. 26:36-37) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

2. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” (Mt 26:38) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

3. After withdrawing about a stone's throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, (Lk 22:41) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

4. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” (Lk 22:42) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

5. And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. (Lk 22:43) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

6. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently... (Lk 22:44) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

7. ... that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. (Lk 22:44) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

8. When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?” (Mt 26:40) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

9. “Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.” (Mt 26:41) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

10. "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mt 26:41) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of Hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

Pray for us, Mary, Mother of Sorrows, teach us a faith that is humble and obedient.

The Second Sorrowful Mystery—The Scourging at the

Pillar

Reflection from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

(572) The Church remains faithful to the interpretation of “all the Scriptures” that Jesus gave both before and after his Passover: “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Jesus’ sufferings took their historical, concrete form from the fact that he was “rejected by the elders and the chief priest and the scribes,” who handed “him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified.”

1. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" (Mk 15:1-2) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

2. Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants (would) be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” (Jn 18:36-37) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

3. “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." (Jn 18:37) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

4. Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" When he had said this, he again went out to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in him.(Jn 18:38) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

5. “Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him." Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. (Lk 23:16, Jn 19:1) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

6. He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, One of those from whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. (Is 53:3) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

7. Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured. (Is 53:4) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

8. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins. (Is 53:5) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

9. Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. (Is 53:5) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

10. Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth. (Is 53:7) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of Hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

Pray for us, Mary, Mother of Sorrows, teach us a love that accepts suffering and setback.

The Third Sorrowful Mystery—The Crowning with Thorns

Reflection from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

(602) Man’s sins, following on original sin, are punishable by death. By sending his own Son in the form of a slave, in the form of a fallen humanity, on account of sin, God “made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

1. The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. (Mk 15:16-17, Mt 27:28) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

2. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. (Mt 27:29) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

3. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" (Mt 27:29) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

4. They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. (Mt 27:30) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

5. So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. (Jn 19:5) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

6. And he said to the Jews, "Behold, your king!" They cried out, "Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!" (Jn 19:14-15) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

7. Pilate said to them, "Why? What evil has he done?" They only shouted the louder, "Crucify him." (Mk 15:14) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

8. Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your king?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." (Jn 19:15) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

9. So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, handed him over to be crucified. (Mk 15:15) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

10. Then Pilate took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd and said, "I am innocent of this man's blood. It is your concern." (Mt 27:24) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed are thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus; Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of Hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

Pray for us, Mary, Mother of Sorrows, that we will seek fidelity above honors.

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery—The Carrying of the Cross

Reflection from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

(853) Only by taking the “way of penance and renewal,” the “narrow way of the Cross,” can the People of God extend Christ’s reign. For “just as Christ carried out the work of redemption in poverty and oppression, so the Church is called to follow the same path if she is to communicate the fruits of salvation to men.”

1. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. (Jn 19:16) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

2. 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. (Lk 23:26) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

3. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. (Lk 23:27) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

4. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children.” (Lk 23:28) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

5. 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.' (Lk 23:29) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

6. “For if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?" (Lk 23:31) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

7. “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Lk 9:23) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

8. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me," (Mt 11:29) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

9. “For I am meek and humble of heart.” (Mt 11:29) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

10. "And you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt 11:29-30) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of Hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen

Pray for us, Mary, Mother of Sorrows, as we take up our cross each day.

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery—The Crucifixion

Reflection from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

(623) By his loving obedience to the Father, “unto death, even death on a cross,” Jesus fulfills the atoning mission of the suffering Servant, who will “make many righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities.”

1. When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified him. (Lk 23:33) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

2. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” (Lk 23:34) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

3. One of the criminals crucified with him said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into you kingdom.” (Lk 23:42) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

4. He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Lk 23:43) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

5. Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother... and the disciple whom he loved. (Jn 19:25-26) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

6. Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” (Jn 19:26-27) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

7. And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (Jn 19:27) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

8. It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. (Lk 23:44-45) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

9. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Lk 23:46) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

10. And when he had said this he breathed his last. (Lk 23:46) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of Hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen

Pray for us, Mary, Mother of Sorrows, that we will crucify our pride with Christ on the cross

"Grace of the Sorrowful Mysteries, come down into our souls and make them truly patient."

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning, and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary:

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray, O God, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant we beseech thee, that meditating on these mysteries of the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell, Satan and all the other evils spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, (R) Have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, (R) Pray for us.

Consecration Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, filled with infinite love, broken by my ingratitude, pierced by my sins, yet loving me still—accept the consecration that I make to you of all that I am and all that I have. Take every faculty of my soul and body, draw me, day by day, nearer and nearer to Your Sacred Heart, and there, as I can bear the lesson, teach me Your Blessed ways. Amen.

Consecration Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and tender Mother of all people, I consecrate myself to you and to your Immaculate Heart, and recommend to you my family, my country, and the whole human race. Please accept my consecration, dearest Mother, and use me as you wish, to accomplish you designs upon the world. O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, rule over me, and teach me how to allow the Heart of Jesus to rule and triumph in me and around me, as it has ruled and triumphed in you. Amen.

Memorare:

Remember, O Most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee O Virgin of virgins my mother, to thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petition, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most precious blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen."

With this Rosary, we bind our children, grandchildren, and loved ones to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.