 |
The First Sorrowful Mystery
THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN
-
Jesus comes with his disciples to Gethsemani:
"Stay here, while I go yonder and pray."
-
Entering the garden with Peter, James, and
John, Jesus prays, "My soul is sorrowful unto death."
-
Jesus sees the sins of all mankind, whose
guilt He has taken upon Himself.
-
He sees the wrath of the Father which His
sufferings must appease.
-
So great is his anguish that His sweat becomes
as drops of blood falling to the ground.
-
An angel appears to Him from heaven to strengthen
Him.
-
"Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass
from Me; yet, not My will but Yours be done."
-
Finding the disciples asleep: "Could you not
watch one hour with me?"
-
Jesus is betrayed by Judas, cruelly bound
and led away.
-
Father, by the merits of the agony of Jesus
in the Garden, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Spiritual Fruit: God's Will be
done
|
 |
The Second Sorrowful Mystery
THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR
-
Jesus is taken before the High Priest where
He is falsely accused, buffeted and insulted.
-
The Jewish leaders take Jesus before Pilate,
for only he can impose the death penalty.
-
The robber, Barabbas, is preferred to Jesus.
-
Pilate can "find no cause in Him", yet to
appease the Jews, he orders Jesus to be scourged.
-
The scourge is made of leather thongs to which
are attached small sharp bones.
-
Jesus is bound to a pillar and cruelly scourged
until His whole body is covered with deep wounds.
-
The Lamb of God offers His suffering for the
sins of mankind.
-
Jesus suffers so much in His sacred flesh
to satisfy, especially, for sins of the flesh.
-
The prophesy of Isiah is fulfilled: "He was
wounded for our iniquities, He was bruised for our sins."
-
Father, by the merits of Jesus in this painful
scourging, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Spiritual Fruit: Mortification
of the senses
|
 |
The Third Sorrowful Mystery
THE CROWNING WITH THORNS
-
Pilate asks, "Are You a king?" Jesus answers:
"I am a King, but My kingdom is not of this world."
-
In the praetorium, the soldiers place an old
purple robe on Jesus in mockery of His claim to be a king.
-
They fashion a crown out of thorns, and forcefully
press it down upon His head.
-
In His bound hands they place a reed, as a
sceptre, in mockery of His kingship.
-
Kneeling before Him in derision, they spit
on Him, and cry out: "Hail, King of the Jews!"
-
Taking the reed from His hand they strike
Him on the head, driving the thorns more deeply into His scalp.
-
Pilate brings Jesus before the people, hoping
His pitiful sight will soften them: "Behold the man!"
-
Their response: "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
-
Our Blessed Lord submitted to this terrible
humiliation to make reparation for our pride.
-
Father, by the merits of this painful humiliation,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Spiritual Fruit: Reign of Christ
in our heart
|
 |
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery
THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS
-
One condemned to death by crucifixion is forced
to carry the cross to the place of execution.
-
The suffering of Jesus is intense as the cross
is laid on His bruised and wounded back and shoulders.
-
Weak and exhausted from loss of blood, lack
of food and rest, Jesus falls three times under the cross.
-
Jesus meets His afflicted Mother causing untold
anguish in the Hearts of Son and Mother.
-
The countenance of Jesus is disfigured with
blood and sweat, with dust and spittle.
-
Veronica wipes His face, leaving on her towel
the image of His countenance.
-
Fearing that Jesus might die on the way, the
soldiers force Simeon of Cyrene to carry the cross behind Jesus.
-
Jesus speaks to weeping women; "Weep not for
Me, but for yourselves and your children."
-
"If anyone is to be My disciple, let him take
up his cross and follow Me."
-
Father, by the merits of this painful journey
to Calvary, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Spiritual Fruit: Patient bearing
of trials
|
 |
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery
THE CRUCIFIXION
-
The hands and feet of Jesus are nailed to
the cross in the presence of His afflicted Mother.
-
"Father, forgive them for they know not what
they do."
-
"This day you will be with Me in paradise."
-
"Woman, behold your Son. Son, behold your
Mother."
-
"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
-
"I thirst."
-
"It is finished."
-
"Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit."
-
The side of Jesus is pierced with a lance.
His body is taken down and placed in the arms of His Mother.
-
Father, by the merits of the crucifixion and
death of Jesus, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Spiritual Fruit: Pardoning of Injuries
|