The Sorrowful Mysteries
(Said on Tuesday and Friday)
1. The first Sorrowful Mystery
The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane
When the Passover meal was over, Jesus left to make His way as usual to the Mount of Olives with His disciples. Then He went a little further, knelt down and prayed. “Father,” he said, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, let Your will be done, not Mine. Then, the angel appeared to Him, coming from Heaven to give Him strength. (cf. Luke 22:39-42)
Reflection
O Mary, in this mystery, we contemplate your beloved Son’s agony in the garden, abandoned by all His disciples and friends.
Intention
Lord, we pray for all the missionaries in Africa who feel alone, are discouraged or are suffering persecution because of the Gospel they proclaim. Help them to experience the consoling presence of God the Father, and to be always faithful to their missionary vocation.
2. The second Sorrowful Mystery
The Scourging at the pillar
Pilate said to the chief priests and the elders, “what shall I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all said, “crucify him!” Pilate ordered Jesus to be first scourged and then handed Him over to be crucified. (cf. Matthew 27:21-26)
Reflection
O Mary, in this mystery, we remember how, for our sins, your merciful Son was mercilessly mocked and whipped by the soldiers.
Intention
Lord, we pray that the work of evangelization in the Americas may help Christians to be more committed to solving the great problems affecting their societies: consumerism, pleasure-seeking, drug addiction and desperation of youth.
3. The third Sorrowful Mystery
The Crowning with thorns
The soldiers stripped Jesus and made Him wear a purple cloak; then twisting a crown of thorns, they forced it onto His head and placed a reed in His right hand. To make fun of Him, they knelt before Him saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they spat on Him and took the reed and struck Him on the head with it.” (cf. Matthew 27:27-30)
Reflection
O Mary, the soldiers crowned your Son with thorns. Remember the people who ridicule, persecute and oppress those who love and serve Christ in the poor.
Intention
Lord, we pray for elderly missionaries, who have been forced to return to Europe due to ill health after many years of work in the mission lands. Assist them with your presence, comfort them in their needs, and help them to offer their suffering for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
4. The fourth Sorrowful Mystery
The Carrying of the Cross
Pilate handed Jesus over to the Jews to be crucified. They then took charge of Him, and carrying His own cross, he went out of the city to the place of the Skull or, as it was called in Hebrew, Golgotha. As they were leading Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the fields, and laid the cross on him, to carry it behind Jesus. (cf. John 19:17)
Reflection
O Mary, Simon of Cyrene helped your only Son to carry the cross. Today, Jesus helps us to carry our own daily crosses, empowering us to relieve the burdens of others.
Intention
Lord, we pray for all those who have given their lives for others, especially the missionaries who suffered torture, imprisonment and martyrdom in the continent of Asia, witnessing the faith. May their blood be the seedbed of new Christian communities.
5. The fifth Sorrowful Mystery
The Crucifixion and Death of our Lord
When they reached the place they call The Skull, they crucified Jesus there. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” When the sixth hour came, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend My Spirit.” With these words, Jesus breathed His last.” (cf. Luke 23:33-45)
Reflection
O Mary, in this mystery, we contemplate you standing at the foot of the cross, given to all beloved disciples as our mother.
Intention
Lord, we pray for all those who suffer from poverty and isolation in the remote islands of the Pacific Ocean. Through our prayers and the works of evangelization, may they come to experience the fraternal communion that unites all members of God’s family.
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