The Rosary - Luminous mysteries

Traditionally the full Rosary was composed of the sequence of:

1. Joyful mysteries - from the Annunciation to the Finding of Jesus in the temple
2. Sorrowful mysteries - from the Agony in the garden to the Crucifixion
3. Glorious mysteries - from the Resurrection of Jesus to the Coronation of Mary

This left a gap in meditating the life of Jesus from when he was about twelve to when he was thirty-three.  Although not very much is known of the life of Jesus during those years, the Gospels tell us about the public years from thirty to thirty-three.

In 2002 a set of five new mysteries was announced by Pope John Paul II. The Luminous mysteries. These span the years of the public life of Jesus from the Baptism in the Jordan to the institution of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday.

The Luminous mysteries

1. First Luminous mystery: The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.
   
   Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
   Matthew 3:13-17 
    
2. Second Luminous mystery: The Wedding at Cana.
   
   On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
   John 2:1-11
   
3. Third Luminous mystery: Jesus' Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
   
   Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
   Mark 1:15
   
4. Fourth Luminous mystery: The Transfiguration.
   
   Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 
   Matthew 17:1-8
   
5. Fifth Luminous mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist.
     While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
   Matthew 26:26-29

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• Cambridge Lay Dominicans: The Rosary - Introduction 
• Cambridge Lay Dominicans: The Rosary - Joyful mysteries
• Cambridge Lay Dominicans: The Rosary - Luminous mysteries
• Cambridge Lay Dominicans: The Rosary - Sorrowful mysteries
• Cambridge Lay Donimicans: The Rosary - Glorious mysteries
• Cambridge Lay Dominicans: The Rosary - The litany of Loreto
• Prayer sheet on how to pray the Rosary.

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