The Joyful Mysteries (Mondays & Saturdays)

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I. The Annunciation

Philippe de Champaigne「L'Annonciation」

Luke 1:26-35

26 When the sixth month came, God sent the angel Gabriel to a city of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 where a virgin dwelt, betrothed to a man of David’s lineage; his name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 Into her presence the angel came, and said, Hail, thou who art full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women. 29 She was much perplexed at hearing him speak so, and cast about in her mind, what she was to make of such a greeting. 30 Then the angel said to her, Mary, do not be afraid; thou hast found favour in the sight of God. 31 And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call him Jesus. 32 He shall be great, and men will know him for the Son of the most High; the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob eternally; 33 his kingdom shall never have an end. 34 But Mary said to the angel, How can that be, since I have no knowledge of man? 35 And the angel answered her, The Holy Spirit will come upon thee, and the power of the most High will overshadow thee. Thus this holy offspring of thine shall be known for the Son of God.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 484

The Annunciation to Mary inaugurates "the fullness of time", [Gal 4:4.] the time of the fulfillment of God's promises and preparations. Mary was invited to conceive him in whom the "whole fullness of deity" would dwell "bodily". [Col 2:9.] The divine response to her question, "How can this be, since I know not man?", was given by the power of the Spirit: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you." [Lk 1:34-35 (Gk.)]

II. The Visitation

Rogier van der Weyden「De visitatie」

Luke 1:39-45

39 In the days that followed, Mary rose up and went with all haste to a town of Juda, in the hill country 40 where Zachary dwelt; and there entering in she gave Elizabeth greeting. 41 No sooner had Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, than the child leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Ghost; 42 so that she cried out with a loud voice, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 How have I deserved to be thus visited by the mother of my Lord? 44 Why, as soon as ever the voice of thy greeting sounded in my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed art thou for thy believing; the message that was brought to thee from the Lord shall have fulfilment.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 717

"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John." [Jn 1:6.] John was "filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb" [Lk 1:15, 41.] by Christ himself, whom the Virgin Mary had just conceived by the Holy Spirit. Mary's visitation to Elizabeth thus became a visit from God to his people. [Cf. Lk 1:68.]

III. The Nativity

John Singleton Copley「The Nativity」 

Luke 2:1-7

1 It happened that a decree went out at this time from the emperor Augustus, enjoining that the whole world should be registered; 2 this register was the first one made during the time when Cyrinus was governor of Syria. 3 All must go and give in their names, each in his own city; 4 and Joseph, being of David’s clan and family, came up from the town of Nazareth, in Galilee, to David’s city in Judaea, the city called Bethlehem, 5 to give in his name there. With him was his espoused wife Mary, who was then in her pregnancy; 6 and it was while they were still there that the time came for her delivery. 7 She brought forth a son, her first-born, whom she wrapped in his swaddling-clothes, and laid in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 525

Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. [Cf. Lk 2:61.] Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to this event. In this poverty heaven's glory was made manifest. [Cf. Lk 2:8-20.] The Church never tires of singing the glory of this night:

The Virgin today brings into the world the Eternal
And the earth offers a cave to the Inaccessible.
The angels and shepherds praise him
And the magi advance with the star,
For you are born for us,
Little Child, God eternal! [Kontakion of Romanos the Melodist.]

IV. The Presentation in the Temple

Raphael「The Presentation in the Temple」

Luke 2:21-24

21 When eight days had passed, and the boy must be circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name which the angel had given him before ever he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the time had come for purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him before the Lord there. 23 It is written in God’s law, that whatever male offspring opens the womb is to be reckoned sacred to the Lord; 24 and so they must offer in sacrifice for him, as God’s law commanded, a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 527

Jesus' circumcision, on the eighth day after his birth, [Cf. Lk 2:21.] is the sign of his incorporation into Abraham's descendants, into the people of the covenant. It is the sign of his submission to the Law [Cf. Gal 4:4.] and his deputation to Israel's worship, in which he will participate throughout his life. This sign prefigures that "circumcision of Christ" which is Baptism. [Cf. Col 2:11-13.]

V. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

William Holman Hunt「The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple」

Luke 2:41-47

41 Every year, his parents used to go up to Jerusalem at the paschal feast. 42 And when he was twelve years old, after going up to Jerusalem, as the custom was at the time of the feast, 43 and completing the days of its observance, they set about their return home. But the boy Jesus, unknown to his parents, continued his stay in Jerusalem. 44 And they, thinking that he was among their travelling companions, had gone a whole day’s journey before they made enquiry for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances. 45 When they could not find him, they made their way back to Jerusalem in search of him, 46 and it was only after three days that they found him. He was sitting in the temple, in the midst of those who taught there, listening to them and asking them questions; 47 and all those who heard him were in amazement at his quick understanding and at the answers he gave.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 534

The finding of Jesus in the temple is the only event that breaks the silence of the Gospels about the hidden years of Jesus. [Cf. Lk 2:41-52.] Here Jesus lets us catch a glimpse of the mystery of his total consecration to a mission that flows from his divine sonship: "Did you not know that I must be about my Father's work?" [Lk 2:49 alt.] Mary and Joseph did not understand these words, but they accepted them in faith. Mary "kept all these things in her heart" during the years Jesus remained hidden in the silence of an ordinary life.

Joyful Mysteries (English)

Joyful Mysteries (Latin)

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