The Sorrowful Mysteries

Traditionally prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays

First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden

Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane and accepts his Father’s will.

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

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.” 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? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”

Meditation: Jesus experiences fear and anguish as he accepts the weight of our sins. He submits to the Father’s will despite his human suffering.

Fruit of the Mystery: Sorrow for Sin

Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar

Jesus is brutally scourged by the Roman soldiers.

Scripture: John 19:1

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged.

Additional Scripture: Matthew 27:26

Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.

Meditation: Jesus endures physical torture for our sins. Each lash of the whip was for our healing and redemption.

Fruit of the Mystery: Purity

Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns

The soldiers mock Jesus by placing a crown of thorns on his head.

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-31

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.

Meditation: The King of Kings is mocked and humiliated. Jesus bears our pride and vanity through his suffering.

Fruit of the Mystery: Moral Courage

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross

Jesus carries his cross to Calvary, meeting his mother and others along the way.

Scripture: Luke 23:26-32

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.

Meditation: Jesus embraces his cross and teaches us to embrace ours. Simon helps carry the cross, showing us to help one another.

Fruit of the Mystery: Patience

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion and Death

Jesus is crucified between two thieves and dies for our salvation.

Scripture: Luke 23:33-49

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

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. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last. The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, “This man was innocent beyond doubt.” When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.

Meditation: Jesus offers his life for our redemption. He forgives his enemies and entrusts his mother to John’s care.

Fruit of the Mystery: Perseverance