The Sorrowful Mysteries


The First Sorrowful Mystery

THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them: "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me". And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying: "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt". (Mat 26,36-39). And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luk 22,44)

 

  1. Jesus comes with his disciples to Gethsemani: "Stay here, while I go yonder and pray."
  2. Entering the garden with Peter, James, and John, Jesus prays, "My soul is sorrowful unto death."
  3. Jesus sees the sins of all mankind, whose guilt He has taken upon Himself.
  4. He sees the wrath of the Father which His sufferings must appease.
  5. So great is his anguish that His sweat becomes as drops of blood falling to the ground.
  6. An angel appears to Him from heaven to strengthen Him.
  7. "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet, not My will but Yours be done."
  8. Finding the disciples asleep: "Could you not watch one hour with me?"
  9. Jesus is betrayed by Judas, cruelly bound and led away.
  10. 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

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying: "Art thou the King of the Jews?" And Jesus said unto him: "Thou sayest". And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him:" Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?" And he answered him to never a word Pilate saith unto them: "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" They all say unto him: "Let him be crucified!" And the governor said:" Why, what evil hath he done?" But they cried out the more, saying: "Let him be crucified!" (Mat 27). And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. (Mar 15,15)

  1. Jesus is taken before the High Priest where He is falsely accused, buffeted and insulted.
  2. The Jewish leaders take Jesus before Pilate, for only he can impose the death penalty.
  3. The robber, Barabbas, is preferred to Jesus.
  4. Pilate can "find no cause in Him", yet to appease the Jews, he orders Jesus to be scourged.
  5. The scourge is made of leather thongs to which are attached small sharp bones.
  6. Jesus is bound to a pillar and cruelly scourged until His whole body is covered with deep wounds.
  7. The Lamb of God offers His suffering for the sins of mankind.
  8. Jesus suffers so much in His sacred flesh to satisfy, especially, for sins of the flesh.
  9. The prophesy of Isiah is fulfilled: "He was wounded for our iniquities, He was bruised for our sins."
  10. 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

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying:" Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. (Mat 27,27-31)

  1. Pilate asks, "Are You a king?" Jesus answers: "I am a King, but My kingdom is not of this world."
  2. In the praetorium, the soldiers place an old purple robe on Jesus in mockery of His claim to be a king.
  3. They fashion a crown out of thorns, and forcefully press it down upon His head.
  4. In His bound hands they place a reed, as a sceptre, in mockery of His kingship.
  5. Kneeling before Him in derision, they spit on Him, and cry out: "Hail, King of the Jews!"
  6. Taking the reed from His hand they strike Him on the head, driving the thorns more deeply into His scalp.
  7. Pilate brings Jesus before the people, hoping His pitiful sight will soften them: "Behold the man!"
  8. Their response: "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
  9. Our Blessed Lord submitted to this terrible humiliation to make reparation for our pride.
  10. 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

And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said: "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck". ... And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death..
(Luk 23,26-32)

  1. One condemned to death by crucifixion is forced to carry the cross to the place of execution.
  2. The suffering of Jesus is intense as the cross is laid on His bruised and wounded back and shoulders.
  3. Weak and exhausted from loss of blood, lack of food and rest, Jesus falls three times under the cross.
  4. Jesus meets His afflicted Mother causing untold anguish in the Hearts of Son and Mother.
  5. The countenance of Jesus is disfigured with blood and sweat, with dust and spittle.
  6. Veronica wipes His face, leaving on her towel the image of His countenance.
  7. Fearing that Jesus might die on the way, the soldiers force Simeon of Cyrene to carry the cross behind Jesus.
  8. Jesus speaks to weeping women; "Weep not for Me, but for yourselves and your children."
  9. "If anyone is to be My disciple, let him take up his cross and follow Me."
  10. 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

 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother:" Woman, behold thy son!" Then saith he to the disciple: "Behold thy mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. ( Joh 19,25-27)

  1. The hands and feet of Jesus are nailed to the cross in the presence of His afflicted Mother.
  2. "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
  3. "This day you will be with Me in paradise."
  4. "Woman, behold your Son. Son, behold your Mother."
  5. "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
  6. "I thirst."
  7. "It is finished."
  8. "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit."
  9. The side of Jesus is pierced with a lance. His body is taken down and placed in the arms of His Mother.
  10. 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

http://www.vaticangift.com