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The
First Glorious Mystery
THE RESURRECTION
- The body
of Jesus is placed in the tomb on the evening of Good Friday.
- His soul
descends into the realm of the dead to announce to the Just the
tidings of their redemption.
- Fearing the
body of Jesus will be taken, the chief priests place guards at
the tomb.
- On the third
day Jesus rises from the dead, glorious and immortal.
- The earth
quakes as the angel rolls back the stone, the guards flee in terror.
- The holy
women coming to anoint the body of Jesus are amazed and frightened
to find the tomb open.
- An angel
calms their fears: "He is not here. He has risen as He said."
- Jesus appears
to Mary Magdalen and Peter and two disciples on the way to Emmaus.
- That evening
He appears to the apostles behind locked doors: "Peace be
unto you ... do not be afraid."
- Jesus breathes
on them and gives them the power to forgive sin.
Spiritual
Fruit: Faith
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The
Second Glorious Mystery
THE ASCENSION
- Jesus remains
on earth forty days after His Resurrection to prove He has truly
risen from the dead.
- He commissions
the apostles to preach the gospel to every creature, and promises
to be with them forever.
- He will not
leave them orphans, but will send the Holy Spirit to enlighten
and strengthen them.
- Jesus proceeds
to Mt. Olivet accompanied by His Mother and the apostles and disciples.
- Extending
His pierced hands over all in a last blessing, He ascends into
heaven.
- As He ascends
a cloud takes Him from their sight.
- Jesus ascends
to take His place at the right hand of the Father.
- What jubilation
there must be amid the angels of heaven at the triumphant entry
of Jesus.
- The wounds
in His glorified body are an endless plea before the Father on
our behalf.
- The disciples
leave Mt. Olivet and "return to Jerusalem with great joy."
Spiritual
Fruit: Christian Hope
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The
Third Glorious Mystery
THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
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The
apostles are gathered in the upper room where Jesus had held
the Last Supper.
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They
are persevering in prayer with Mary the Mother of Jesus.
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A
sound comes from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and
it fills the whole house.
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The
Holy Spirit descends on each of them in the form of tongues
of fire.
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Filled
with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, they are enlightened and
strengthened to spread the gospel.
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Having
lost all fear of the Jewish leaders, the apostles boldly preach
Christ crucified.
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The
multitudes are confounded because every man hears them speak
in his own tongue.
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The
Holy Spirit comes upon the Infant Church never to leave it.
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That
first day Peter goes forth to preach and baptizes three thousand.
- The feast
of Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, for on that day it
begins to grow.
Spiritual
Fruit: Gifts of the Holy Spirit
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The
Fourth Glorious Mystery
THE ASSUMPTION
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After
the apostles have dispersed, the Blessed Mother goes to live
with John, the beloved disciple.
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Mary
lives many years on earth after the death of Christ.
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She
is a source of comfort, consolation and strength to the apostles.
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As
she had nourished the infant Jesus, so she nourishes spiritually
the infant Church.
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Mary
dies, not of bodily infirmity, but is wholly ravished in a rapture
of divine love.
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Her
body as well as her soul is taken up into heaven.
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After
her burial the apostles go to the tomb and find only fragrant
lilies.
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Jesus
does not permit the sinless body of His Mother to decay in the
grave.
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Corruption
of the body is an effect of original sin from which Mary is
totally exempted.
- The bodies
of all mankind, at the last judgment, will be brought back and
united again to the soul.
Spiritual
Fruit: To Jesus through Mary
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The
Fifth Glorious Mystery
THE CORONATION
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As
Mary enters heaven, the entire court of heaven greets with joy
this masterpiece of God's creation.
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Mary
is crowned by her divine Son as Queen of heaven and earth.
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More
than we can ever know the Hearts of Jesus and Mary overflow
with joy at this reunion.
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Only
in heaven will we know the great majesty of that coronation,
and the joy it gave to the angels and saints.
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Even
the angels, who by nature are greater than humans, hail Mary
as their Queen.
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Mary
shares so fully in the glory of Christ because she shared so
fully in His suffering.
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Only
in heaven will we see how central is the role of Mary in the
divine plan of redemption.
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The
angels and saints longed for the coming of her whose heel crushes
the head of the serpent.
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Mary
pleads our cause as a most powerful Queen and a most merciful
and loving Mother.
- A great sign
appeared in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under
her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
Spiritual
Fruit: Grace of Final Perseverance
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Return
to "How to Say the Rosary"
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