Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary

Original Publish: February 26, 2022

Last Publish: August 12, 2026

The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary are five meditations on the triumph of Jesus Christ and the glory promised to those who remain faithful to Him. Traditionally prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays, they lead the soul from the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus to the Descent of the Holy Ghost, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and her Coronation as Queen of Heaven and Earth. This page includes all five Glorious Mysteries in order, with complete Douay-Rheims Scripture, every prayer written in full except the ten Hail Marys of each decade, and a free printable PDF.

What Are the Glorious Mysteries?

The Glorious Mysteries are the final five mysteries of the Holy Rosary. They lead the faithful through the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and the heavenly glory of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The five Glorious Mysteries are:

The Resurrection of Jesus – Matthew 28:1–6
The Ascension of Jesus – Luke 24:36–51
The Descent of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:1–21
The Assumption of Mary – Judith 13:18–20; Judith 15:10
The Coronation of Mary – Revelation 12:1–6

Through these mysteries, the faithful contemplate Christ’s victory over death, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of eternal life with God. They also honor the glory given to Mary, who was received into Heaven and crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Glorious Mysteries Prayer Order

The Glorious Mysteries are prayed in the traditional order of the Holy Rosary. Begin with the opening prayers, pray each of the five mysteries as one decade, and then finish with the closing prayers.

Opening Prayers

Pray the Sign of the Cross
Pray the Queen of the Holy Rosary Prayer
Pray the Apostles’ Creed
Pray one Our Father
Pray three Hail Marys
Pray one Glory Be
Pray the Fatima Prayer

The Five Glorious Mysteries

For each mystery:

Read the Scripture passage
Announce the mystery and begin meditating upon it
Pray one Our Father
Pray ten Hail Marys while meditating on the mystery
Pray one Glory Be
Pray the Fatima Prayer

Closing Prayers

After completing all five mysteries:

Pray the Hail Holy Queen
Pray the Rosary Closing Prayer
Pray the Fatima Pardon Prayer
End with the Sign of the Cross

The complete prayers and Scripture passages are written below so the Glorious Mysteries can be prayed from beginning to end without leaving the page.

Opening Prayers

Sign of the Cross

In the Name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

(As you say this, with your right hand touch your forehead when you say Father, touch your breastbone when you say Son, touch your left shoulder when you say Holy, and touch your right shoulder when you say Spirit.)

Queen of the Holy Rosary Prayer
(An optional opening prayer inspired by Our Lady’s appearances at Fatima, traditionally prayed before beginning the Holy Rosary.)

Queen of the Holy Rosary,
you have deigned to come to Fatima,
to reveal to the three shepherd children
the treasures of grace hidden in the Rosary.
Inspire my heart with a sincere love of this devotion,
in order that by meditating on the Mysteries of our Redemption,
which are recalled in it,
I may be enriched with its fruits,
and obtain peace for the world,
the conversion of sinners and of Russia,
and the favor which I ask of you in this Rosary.

(Mention your request here)

I ask it for the greater glory of God,
for your own honor,
and for the good of souls,
especially for my own.
Amen.

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ,
His only Son,
our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified,
died, and was buried.
He descended into hell;
the third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of God,
the Father Almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
Amen.

Our Father

Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Hail Mary

Hail Mary,
full of grace,
the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus,
forgive us our sins,
save us from the fires of hell,
lead all souls to Heaven,
especially those who have most need of your mercy.
Amen.

Five Glorious Mysteries

First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Jesus

And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and coming, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. And his countenance was as lightning, and his raiment as snow. And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror, and became as dead men. And the angel answering, said to the women: Fear not you; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid. (Matthew 28:1-6)

Decade Prayers
(Meditate on the Resurrection of Jesus)

Our Father

Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Hail Mary

Repeat 10 Times

Glory Be to the Father

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus,
forgive us our sins,
save us from the fires of hell,
lead all souls to Heaven,
especially those who have most need of your mercy.
Amen.

Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Jesus

Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not. But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and feet.

But while they yet believed not, and wondered for joy, he said: Have you any thing to eat? And they offered him a piece of a broiled fish, and a honeycomb. And when he had eaten before them, taking the remains, he gave to them.

And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, the third day: And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. And I send the promise of my Father upon you: but stay you in the city till you be endued with power from on high.

And he led them out as far as Bethania: and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. And it came to pass, whilst he blessed them, he departed from them, and was carried up to heaven. (Luke 24: 36-51)

Decade Prayers
(Meditate on the Ascension of Jesus)

Our Father

Hail Mary

Repeat 10 Times

Glory Be to the Father

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus,
forgive us our sins,
save us from the fires of hell,
lead all souls to Heaven,
especially those who have most need of your mercy.
Amen.

Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost)

And when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place: and suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.

Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue. And they were all amazed, and wondered, saying: Behold, are not all these, that speak, Galileans? And how have we heard, every man our own tongue wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews also, and proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians: we have heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all astonished, and wondered, saying one to another: What meaneth this?

But others mocking, said: These men are full of new wine. But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them: Ye men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and with your ears receive my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day: But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel: and it shall come to pass, in the last days, (saith the Lord,) I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And upon my servants indeed, and upon my handmaids will I pour out in those days of my spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will shew wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood and fire, and vapour of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and manifest day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved. (Acts 2:1-21)

Decade Prayers
(Meditate on the Pentecost)

Our Father

Hail Mary

Repeat 10 Times

Glory Be to the Father

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus,
forgive us our sins,
save us from the fires of hell,
lead all souls to Heaven,
especially those who have most need of your mercy.
Amen.

Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary

And by me his handmaid he hath fulfilled his mercy, which he promised to the house of Israel: and he hath killed the enemy of his people by my hand this night. Then she brought forth the head of Holofernes out of the wallet, and shewed it them, saying: Behold the head of Holofernes the general of the army of the Assyrians, and behold his canopy, wherein he lay in his drunkenness, where the Lord our God slew him by the hand of a woman. But as the same Lord liveth, his angel hath been my keeper both going hence, and abiding there, and returning from thence hither: and the Lord hath not suffered me his handmaid to be defiled, but hath brought me back to you without pollution of sin, rejoicing for his victory, for my escape, and for your deliverance. (Judith 13:18-20)

And when she was come out to him, they all blessed her with one voice, saying: Thou art the glory of Jerusalem, thou art the joy of Israel, thou art the honor of our people: For thou hast done manfully, and thy heart has been strengthened, because thou hast loved chastity, and after thy husband hast not known any other: therefore also the hand of the Lord hath strengthened thee, and therefore thou shalt be blessed forever. And all the people said: So be it, so be it. (Judith 15:10)

Decade Prayers
(Meditate on the Assumption of Mary)

Our Father

Hail Mary

Repeat 10 Times

Glory Be to the Father

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus,
forgive us our sins,
save us from the fires of hell,
lead all souls to Heaven,
especially those who have most need of your mercy.
Amen.

Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary

And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars: And being with child, she cried travailing in birth, and was in pain to be delivered.

And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns: and on his head seven diadems: And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth:

and the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered; that, when she should be delivered, he might devour her son. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with an iron rod: and her son was taken up to God, and to his throne.

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, that there they should feed her a thousand two hundred sixty days. (Revelation 12:1-6)

Decade Prayers
(Meditate on the Coronation of Mary)

Our Father

Hail Mary

Repeat 10 Times

Glory Be to the Father

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus,
forgive us our sins,
save us from the fires of hell,
lead all souls to Heaven,
especially those who have most need of your mercy.
Amen.

Closing Prayers

Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen)

Hail, holy Queen,
Mother of Mercy!
our life, our sweetness, and our hope!
To thee do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve;
to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious Advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus;
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Pray for us,
O Holy Mother of God,
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Rosary Closing Prayer

O God whose only begotten Son has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life,
Grant that we beseech Thee while meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Fatima Pardon Prayer

My God,
I believe,
I adore,
I hope, and I love You.
I beg pardon of You for those who do not believe,
do not adore,
do not hope,
and do not love You.
Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the Name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Praying the Glorious Mysteries

The Glorious Mysteries lead the faithful through Christ’s victory over death and His return to the Father, the descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, and the heavenly glory of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Through these mysteries, Mary leads the faithful to rejoice in the risen Christ, trust in the promise of eternal life, and remain open to the grace of the Holy Ghost. May the Glorious Mysteries strengthen hope, deepen faith, and help make the Rosary a faithful part of daily prayer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Days Are the Glorious Mysteries Prayed?

The Glorious Mysteries are normally prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays. Catholics may also pray them on other days, and the Rosary's weekly pattern may be adapted for particular liturgical celebrations or personal devotion.

What Are the Five Glorious Mysteries?

The five Glorious Mysteries are the Resurrection of Jesus, the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Together, these mysteries proclaim Christ’s victory over death, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the heavenly glory prepared for those who remain faithful to God.

What Are the Biblical Foundations of the Glorious Mysteries?

The Scripture passages used for the five Glorious Mysteries on this page are:

The Resurrection of Jesus - Matthew 28:1–6
The Ascension of Jesus - Luke 24:36–51
The Descent of the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:1–21
The Assumption of Mary - Judith 13:18–20; Judith 15:10
The Coronation of Mary - Revelation 12:1–6

The Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost are directly described in the New Testament. The Assumption and Coronation are also understood through Sacred Tradition and the teaching of the Catholic Church, with Scripture providing images that help the faithful meditate upon Mary’s heavenly glory.

What Is the Spiritual Fruit of Each Glorious Mystery?

The spiritual fruits commonly associated with the Glorious Mysteries are faith for the Resurrection, hope and desire for Heaven for the Ascension, love of God and zeal for souls for the Descent of the Holy Spirit, devotion to Mary and the grace of a happy death for the Assumption, and trust in Mary’s intercession and the hope of eternal happiness for the Coronation.

These fruits help the faithful carry the message of the mysteries into daily life.

How Long Does It Take to Pray the Glorious Mysteries?

Praying the five Glorious Mysteries usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Praying them with the complete Scripture passages and taking time for quiet meditation may take about 45 to 60 minutes.

The Rosary should not be rushed. Even when time is limited, each prayer can be offered with attention, faith, and love.

Can the Glorious Mysteries Be Prayed Without Rosary Beads?

Yes. Rosary beads help a person keep track of the prayers, but they are not required. The Glorious Mysteries may be counted on the fingers or prayed without beads.

What matters most is that the prayers are offered with faith while the heart and mind meditate upon each mystery.

What Graces Are Associated with Praying the Glorious Mysteries?

The Glorious Mysteries help the faithful grow in faith, hope, love of God, trust in the Holy Spirit, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and desire for eternal life.

Every Rosary prayed with devotion opens the heart to God’s grace. These mysteries can bring peace during trials, courage in the face of death, and renewed confidence in Christ’s promise that those who remain faithful to Him are called to share in His glory.

My Rosary Testimony

“I have experienced the profound power of the Rosary and a deep relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary, which helped me overcome both a struggle with alcoholism and a widow-maker heart attack on a golf course, in which I died. They say I coded twice, but I’m not sure. I come from a family with no history of heart problems. I have fully recovered through faith, the Rosary, and the efforts of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (read Catholic Conversion – A Marian Journey)

I invite you to discover the same strength and peace freely available to you in your life. It all begins here with the Daily Rosary.”

Charles Rogers

Related Rosary Prayers and Resources

Rosary Mysteries

PDFs

Litanies & Chaplet

About the Author

Charles Rogers is a resident of South Carolina and a retired computer programmer by trade. Raised in various Christian denominations, he came to faith in Jesus Christ early in life. In 2012, he began experiencing authentic spiritual encounters with the Blessed Virgin Mary, which led him on a seven-year journey at her hands, that included alcohol addiction, a widow maker heart attack and death and conversion to the Catholic Faith. He is the exclusive author and owner of Two Percent Survival, a website dedicated to and created in honor of the Holy Mother. Feel free to email Charles at twopercentsurvival@gmail.com.

May Our Lady of the Rosary lead you deeper into the grace you have been given. Pray always, and trust the mercy of God while the door remains open.

— Two Percent Survival