The Glorious Mysteries (Sundays & Wednesdays)

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I. The Resurrection

Carl Heinrich Bloch「The Resurrection」

Luke 24:1-5

1 And at very early dawn on the first day of the week they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared: 2 and found the stone already rolled away from the door of the tomb. 3 They went into it, and could not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 They were still puzzling over this, when two men came and stood by them, in shining garments. 5 These said to them, as they bowed their faces to the earth in fear, Why are you seeking one who is alive, here among the dead?

Catechism of the Catholic Church 651

"If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain." [1 Cor 15:14.] The Resurrection above all constitutes the confirmation of all Christ's works and teachings. All truths, even those most inaccessible to human reason, find their justification if Christ by his Resurrection has given the definitive proof of his divine authority, which he had promised.

II. The Ascension

Dosso Dossi「The Ascension」

Mark 16:19

19 And so the Lord Jesus, when he had finished speaking to them, was taken up to heaven, and is seated now at the right hand of God;

Catechism of the Catholic Church 661  

This final stage stays closely linked to the first, that is, to his descent from heaven in the Incarnation. Only the one who "came from the Father" can return to the Father: Christ Jesus. [Cf. Jn 16:28.] "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man." [Jn 3:13; cf. Eph 4:8-10.] Left to its own natural powers humanity does not have access to the "Father's house", to God's life and happiness. [Jn 14:2.] Only Christ can open to man such access that we, his members, might have confidence that we too shall go where he, our Head and our Source, has preceded us. [Roman Missal, Preface of the Ascension: "sed ut illuc confideremus, sua membra, nos subsequi quo ipse, caput nostrum principiumque, praecessit."]

III. The Descent of the Holy Spirit

Titian「Descent of the Holy Ghost」

Acts 2:1-4

1 When the day of Pentecost came round, while they were all gathered together in unity of purpose, 2 all at once a sound came from heaven like that of a strong wind blowing, and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then appeared to them what seemed to be tongues of fire, which parted and came to rest on each of them; 4 and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in strange languages, as the Spirit gave utterance to each.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 691 

"Holy Spirit" is the proper name of the one whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son. The Church has received this name from the Lord and professes it in the Baptism of her new children. [Cf. Mt 28:19.]

The term "Spirit" translates the Hebrew word ruah, which, in its primary sense, means breath, air, wind. Jesus indeed uses the sensory image of the wind to suggest to Nicodemus the transcendent newness of him who is personally God's breath, the divine Spirit. [Jn 3:5-8.] On the other hand, "Spirit" and "Holy" are divine attributes common to the three divine persons. By joining the two terms, Scripture, liturgy, and theological language designate the inexpressible person of the Holy Spirit, without any possible equivocation with other uses of the terms "spirit" and "holy."

IV. The Assumption

Leonard Porter「The Assumption of the Virgin」

Luke 1:48-49

48 because he has looked graciously upon the lowliness of his handmaid. Behold, from this day forward all generations will count me blessed; 49 because he who is mighty, he whose name is holy, has wrought for me his wonders.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 974  

The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son's Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body.

V. The Crowning of Our Lady Queen of Heaven

Guido Reni「The Coronation of the Virgin」

Apocalypse/Revelation 12:1

1 And now, in heaven, a great portent appeared; a woman that wore the sun for her mantle, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars about her head.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 966 

"Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death." [LG 59; cf. Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus (1950):DS 3903; cf. Rev 19:16.] The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians:

In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death. [Byzantine Liturgy, Troparion, Feast of the Dormition, August 15th.]

. . . she is our Mother in the order of grace

Glorious Mysteries (English)

Glorious Mysteries (Latin)

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