The Scriptural Rosary

Most of God's people in America are starving spiritually. Although the spiritual nourishment of God's word and Holy Communion are more available than ever, we starve ourselves because we have become anorexic. We have indulged our carnal desires and lost our appetite for the things of God (see Prv 13:19; Gal 5:17). The Scriptural rosary will feed us spiritually. Those who have benefited from other Scriptural rosaries and are looking for a new experience of God's word will especially appreciate the unique approach of this Scriptural rosary.

THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES

1st — The Annunciation

(before the "Our Father")

"All ages to come shall call me blessed." —Lk 1:48

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "Blessed are you among women." —Lk 1:28

2. "How blest are the poor in spirit: the reign of God is theirs." —Mt 5:3

3. "Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled." —Mt 5:4

4. "Blest are the lowly; they shall inherit the land." —Mt 5:5

5. "Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill." —Mt 5:6

6. "Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs." —Mt 5:7

7. "Blest are the single-hearted for they shall see God." —Mt 5:8

8. "Blest too the peacemakers; they shall be called sons of God." —Mt 5:9

9. "Blest are those persecuted for holiness' sake; the reign of God is theirs." —Mt 5:10

10. "Blest is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled." —Lk 1:45

 

2nd — The Visitation

(before the "Our Father")

"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit." —Lk 1:41

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord." —Lk 1:46

2. "My spirit finds joy in God my Savior." —Lk 1:47

3. "For He has looked upon His servant in her lowliness; all ages to come shall call me blessed." —Lk 1:48

4. "God Who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is His name." —Lk 1:49

5. "His mercy is from age to age on those who fear Him." —Lk 1:50

6. "He has shown might with His arm; He has confused the proud in their inmost thoughts." —Lk 1:51

7. "He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places." —Lk 1: 52

8. "The hungry He has given every good thing, while the rich He has sent empty away." —Lk 1:53

9. "He has upheld Israel His servant, ever mindful of His mercy." —Lk 1:54

10. "Even as He promised our Fathers, promised Abraham and His descendants forever." —Lk 1:55

 

3rd — The Birth of Jesus

(before the "Our Father")

"Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop it down. Let the earth open and salvation bud forth; let justice also spring up!" — Is 45:8

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God's presence, and the Word was God." —Jn 1:1

2. "The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name Him Immanuel." —Is 7:14

3. "He has pitched a tent there for the sun, which comes forth like the groom from his bridal chamber and, like a giant, joyfully runs its course." —Ps 19:5-6

4. "Then was I beside Him as His craftsman, and I was His delight day by day, playing before Him all the while, playing on the surface of His earth; and I found delight in the sons of men." —Prv 8:30-31

5. "For when peaceful stillness compassed everything and the night in its swift course was half spent, Your all-powerful word from heaven's royal throne bounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land." —Wis 18:14-15

6. "But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me One Who is to be Ruler in Israel." —Mi 5:1

7. "When the designated time had come, God sent forth His Son born of a woman." —Gal 4:4

8. "He emptied Himself and took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men." —Phil 2:7

9. "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us; not because of any righteous deeds we had done, but because of His mercy." —Ti 3:4-5

10. "She gave birth to a Son — a boy destined to shepherd all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and to His throne." —Rv 12:5

 

4th — The Presentation of Jesus

(before the "Our Father")

"I beg you through the mercy of God to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God." —Rm 12:1

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life." —Dt 30:19

2. "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." —Jos 24:15

3. "How long will you straddle the issue? If the Lord is God, follow Him." —1 Kgs 18:21

4. " 'And you,' He said to them, 'who do you say that I am?' " —Mt 16:15

5. "You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, and with all your mind." —Mt 22:37

6. "Someone asked Him, 'Lord, are they few in number who are to be saved?' He replied: 'Try to come in through the narrow door.' " —Lk 13:23-24

7. "Yes, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not die but may have eternal life." —Jn 3:16

8. "For if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." —Rm 10:9

9. "At Jesus' name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!" —Phil 2:10-11

10. "Here I stand, knocking at the door." —Rv 3:20

 

5th — The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

(before the "Our Father")

"The Child grew in size and strength, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him." —Lk 2:40

(before the "Hail Marys")

The Ten Commandments

1. "I, the Lord, am your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. You shall not have other gods besides Me." —Ex 20:2

2. "You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain." —Ex 20:7

3. "Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day." —Ex 20:8

4. "Honor your father and your mother." —Ex 20:12

5. "You shall not kill." —Ex 20:13

6. "You shall not commit adultery." —Ex 20:14

7. "You shall not steal." —Ex 20:15

8. "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." —Ex 20:16

9. "You shall not covet your neighbor's house." —Ex 20:17

10. "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife." —Ex 20:17

 

THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

1st — Jesus' Agony in the Garden

(before the "Our Father")

"Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and He placed there the man whom He had formed." —Gn 2:8

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "When they heard the sound of the Lord God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden." —Gn 3:8

2. "When He expelled the man, He settled him east of the garden of Eden; and He stationed the cherubim and the fiery revolving sword, to guard the way to the tree of life." —Gn 3:24

3. "For He was deeply grieved that they had closed their minds against Him." —Mk 3:5

4. "Coming within sight of the city, He wept over it." —Lk 19:41

5. "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had accompanied her also weeping, He was troubled in spirit, moved by the deepest emotions." —Jn 11:33

6. "Jesus grew deeply troubled. He went on to give this testimony: 'I tell you solemnly, one of you will betray Me.' " —Jn 13:21

7. "My heart is nearly broken with sorrow. Remain here and stay awake with Me." —Mt 26:38

8. "At that time Jesus cried in a loud voice, ... 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' " —Mk 15:34

9. "They are crucifying the Son of God for themselves and holding Him up to contempt." —Heb 6:6

10. " 'Woman,' He asked her, 'why are you weeping? Who is it you are looking for?' She supposed He was the gardener." —Jn 20:15

 

2nd — Jesus' Scourging at the Pillar

(before the "Our Father")

"He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, upon Him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by His stripes we were healed." —Is 53:5

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "I will strike the water of the river with the staff I hold, and it shall be changed into blood." —Ex 7:17

2. "The frogs will swarm all over you and your subjects and your servants." —Ex 7:29

3. "The dust of the earth was turned into gnats throughout the land of Egypt." —Ex 8:13

4. "I warn you, I will loose swarms of flies upon you and ... your houses." —Ex 8:17

5. "I warn you, the Lord will afflict all your livestock in the field ... with a very severe pestilence." —Ex 9:3

6. "Take a double handful of soot from a furnace...scatter it toward the sky. It will then turn into fine dust over the whole land of Egypt and cause festering boils." —Ex 9:8-9

7. "Tomorrow at this hour I will rain down such fierce hail." —Ex 9:18

8. "I will bring locusts into your country. They shall cover the ground, so that the ground itself will not be visible." —Ex 10:4-5

9. There was "such intense darkness that one can feel it." —Ex 10:21

10. "At midnight the Lord slew every first-born in the land." —Ex 12:29

 

3rd — Jesus is Crowned with Thorns

(before the "Our Father")

"They throw down their crowns before the throne and sing." —Rv 4:10

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "My loins are filled with burning pains; there is no health in My flesh." —Ps 38:8

2. "I am numbed and severely crushed; I roar with anguish of heart." —Ps 38:9

3. "They who sit at the gate gossip about Me, and drunkards make Me the butt of their songs." —Ps 69:13

4. "Insult has broken My heart, and I am weak, I looked for sympathy, but there was none." —Ps 69:21

5. "The Lord is King, in splendor robed; robed is the Lord and girt about with strength." —Ps 93:1

6. "He shall be raised high and greatly exalted. Even as many were amazed at Him — so marred was His look beyond that of man." —Is 52:13-14

7. "I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven...He received dominion, glory, and kingship." —Dn 7:13-14

8. "We do see Jesus crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death." —Heb 2:9

9. "But Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins and took His seat forever at the right hand of God; now He waits until His enemies are placed beneath His feet. —Heb 10:12-13

10. "A name was written on the part of the cloak that covered His thigh: 'King of kings and Lord of lords.' " —Rv 19:16

 

4th — Jesus Carries the Cross

(before the "Our Father")

"The message of the cross is complete absurdity to those who are headed for ruin, but to us who are experiencing salvation, it is the power of God." —1 Cor 1:18

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "We preach Christ crucified — a stumbling block to Jews, and an absurdity to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." —1 Cor 1:23-24

2. "The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it." —Gn 3:6

3. "They took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb." —Acts 13:29

4. "Christ has delivered us from the power of the law's curse by Himself becoming a curse for us, as it is written: 'Accursed is anyone who is hanged on a tree.' " —Gal 3:13

5. "Blest is the wood through which justice comes about." —Wis 14:7

6. "Abraham took the wood for the holocaust and laid it on his son Isaac's shoulders." —Gn 22:6

7. "Though He was harshly treated, He submitted and opened not His mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter." —Is 53:7

8. "Jesus said to all: 'Whoever wishes to be My follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in My steps.' " —Lk 9:23

9. "It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in Him and, by means of Him, to reconcile everything in His person, both on earth and in the heavens, making peace through the blood of His cross." —Col 1:19-20

10. "May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through it, the world has been crucified to me and I to the world." —Gal 6:14

 

5th — Jesus' Crucifixion and Death

(before the "Our Father")

"They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced." —Jn 19:37

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" —Mk 15:34

2. "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing." —Lk 23:34

3. "I assure you: this day you will be with Me in paradise." —Lk 23:43

4. "Father, into Your hands I commend My Spirit." —Lk 23:46

5. "Jesus said to his mother, 'Woman, there is your son.' In turn He said to the disciple, 'There is your mother.' " —Jn 19:26-27

6. "I am thirsty." —Jn 19:28

7. "Now it is finished." —Jn 19:30

8. "Suddenly the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom." —Mt 27:51

9. "The earth quaked, boulders split, tombs opened." —Mt 27:52

10. "The centurion who stood guard over Him, on seeing the manner of His death, declared, 'Clearly this Man was the Son of God!' " —Mk 15:39

 

THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES

1st — The Resurrection of Jesus

(before the "Our Father")

"He was seen by Cephas, then by the Twelve. After that He was seen by five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still alive, although some have fallen asleep. Next He was seen by James; then by all the apostles. Last of all He was seen by me." —1 Cor 15: 5-8

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "Jesus rose from the dead early on the first day of the week. He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons." —Mk 16:9

2. "They hurried away from the tomb half-overjoyed, half-fearful, and ran to carry the good news to His disciples. Suddenly, without warning, Jesus stood before them and said: 'Peace!' The women came up and embraced His feet and did Him homage." —Mt 28:8

3. "The Lord has been raised! It is true! He has appeared to Simon." —Lk 24:34

4. "With that their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; whereupon He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, 'Were not our hearts burning inside us as He talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?' " —Lk 24:31-32

5. "On the evening of that first day of the week, even though the disciples had locked the doors of the place where they were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood before them. 'Peace be with you,' He said. When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side." —Jn 20:19-20

6. "A week later, the disciples were once more in the room, and this time Thomas was with them. Despite the locked doors, Jesus came and stood before them. 'Peace be with you,' He said." —Jn 20:26

7. "The eleven disciples made their way to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had summoned them. At the sight of Him, those who had entertained doubts fell down in homage." —Mt 28:16-17

8. "Later, at the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus showed Himself to the disciples (once again). This is how the appearance took place." —Jn 21:1

9. "Finally, as they were at table, Jesus was revealed to the Eleven. He took them to task for their disbelief and their stubbornness, since they had put no faith in those who had seen Him after He had been raised." —Mk 16:14

10. "Then He led them out near Bethany, and with hands upraised, blessed them. As He blessed, He left them, and was taken up to heaven. They fell down to do Him reverence, then returned to Jerusalem filled with joy. There they were to be found in the temple constantly, speaking the praises of God." —Lk 24:50-53

 

2nd — The Ascension of Jesus

(before the "Our Father")

"Yet I tell you the sober truth: It is much better for you that I go." —Jn 16:7

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "God mounts His throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts." —Ps 47:6

2. "You have ascended on high, taken captives, received men as gifts — even rebels; the Lord God enters His dwelling." —Ps 68:19

3. "What, then, if you were to see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before...?" —Jn 6:62

4. "I solemnly assure you, the man who has faith in Me will do the works I do, and greater far than these. Why? Because I go to the Father." —Jn 14:12

5. "Go to My brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God!' " —Jn 20:17

6. "It is like the strength He showed in raising Christ from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in heaven." —Eph 1:19-20

7. He "ascended high above the heavens, that He might fill all men with His gifts." —Eph 4:10

8. "God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name above every other name." —Phil 2:9

9. "He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit; seen by the angels; preached among the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up into glory." —1 Tm 3:16

10. "Her child was caught up to God and to His throne." —Rv 12:5

 

3rd — The Descent of the Holy Spirit

(before the "Our Father")

"Together they devoted themselves to constant prayer. There were some women in their company, and Mary the mother of Jesus." —Acts 1:14

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "The angel answered her: 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." —Lk 1:35

2. "If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children good things, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him." —Lk 11:13

3. "Scripture has it: 'From within Him rivers of living water shall flow.' (Here He was referring to the Spirit, Whom those that came to believe in Him were to receive.)" —Jn 7:38-39

4. "Then He bowed His head, and delivered over His Spirit." —Jn 19:30

5. "He breathed on them and said: 'Receive the Holy Spirit.' " —Jn 20:22

6. "All were filled with the Holy Spirit." —Acts 2:4

7. "The pair upon arriving imposed hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit." —Acts 8:17

8. "Saul, my brother, I have been sent by the Lord Jesus Who appeared to you on the way here, to help you recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." —Acts 9:17

9. "Peter had not finished these words when the Holy Spirit descended upon all who were listening to Peter's message." —Acts 10:44

10. "The Holy Spirit came down on them and they began to speak in tongues and to utter prophecies. There were in the company about twelve men in all." —Acts 19:6-7

 

4th — The Assumption of Mary into Heaven

(before the "Our Father")

"Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." —Mt 23:12

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "Then Enoch walked with God, and he was no longer here, for God took him." —Gn 5:24

2. "A flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind." —2 Kgs 2:11

3. "The queen takes her place at your right hand." —Ps 45:10

4. "He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places." —Lk 1:52

5. "Jesus replied, 'I assure you: this day you will be with Me in paradise.' " —Lk 23:43

6. "I know that this man — whether in or outside his body I do not know, God knows — was snatched up to Paradise." —2 Cor 12:3

7. "I am indeed going to prepare a place for you, and then I shall come back to take you with Me, that where I am you also may be." —Jn 14:3

8. "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love Him." —1 Cor 2:9

9. "Both with and in Christ Jesus He raised us up and gave us a place in the heavens." —Eph 2:6

10. "The woman was given the wings of a gigantic eagle so that she could fly off to her place in the desert." —Rv 12:14

 

5th — The Queenship of Mary

(before the "Our Father")

"You who have followed Me shall likewise take your places on twelve thrones.' " —Mt 19:28

(before the "Hail Marys")

1. "How can this be since I do not know man?" —Lk 1:34

2. "I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say." —Lk 1:38

3. "Near the cross of Jesus there stood His mother." —Jn 19:25

4. "He has looked upon His servant in her lowliness; all ages to come shall call me blessed." —Lk 1:48

5. "God Who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is His name." —Lk 1:49

6. "I will give the victor the right to sit with Me on My throne." —Rv 3:21

7. "Then I saw some thrones. Those who were sitting on them were empowered to pass judgment." —Rv 20:4

8. "A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." —Rv 12:1

9. "Do whatever He tells you." —Jn 2:5

10. "There are still many other things that Jesus did, yet if they were written about in detail, I doubt there would be room enough in the entire world to hold the books to record them." —Jn 21:25