Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
The Luminous Mysteries, also called the Mysteries of Light, are five meditations on the public ministry of Jesus Christ. Traditionally prayed on Thursdays, they lead the soul from the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan to the Institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper. This page includes all five Luminous Mysteries in order, with complete Douay-Rheims Scripture, every prayer written in full except each decade Hail Mary, and a free printable PDF.
What Are the Luminous Mysteries?
These five mysteries focus on key events in the public life of Jesus, beginning with His Baptism in the Jordan and ending with the Institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper.
The five Luminous Mysteries are:
- The Baptism of Jesus – Matthew 3:13–17
- The Wedding at Cana – John 2:1–12
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom – Mark 1:14–15
- The Transfiguration of Jesus – Matthew 17:1–9
- The Institution of the Eucharist – Mark 14:22–25
Through these mysteries, the faithful contemplate Christ as the Light of the world and are called to listen to Him, repent of sin, follow His teaching, and receive the grace He gives through the Holy Eucharist.
Luminous Mysteries Structure and Prayer Order
The Luminous 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 Luminous 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 Luminous 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.
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.
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 Luminous Mysteries
First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfill all justice. Then he suffered him. And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:13-17)
Decade Prayers
(Meditate on the Baptism 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
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 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 Luminous Mystery: The Wedding at Cana
And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: the mother of Jesus was there.
Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.
Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. They filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it.
When the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, And saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now.
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capharnaum, he and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they remained there not many days. (John 2:1-12)
Decade Prayers
(Meditate on the Wedding at Cana)
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
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 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 Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
And after that John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying: The time is accomplished, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel. (Mark 1:14-15)
Decade Prayers
(Meditate on the Proclamation of the Kingdom)
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
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 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 Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration of Jesus
After six days Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: And he was transfigured before them. His face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. As he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him.
And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. Jesus came and touched them: and said to them, Arise, and fear not. And they lifting up their eyes saw no one but only Jesus.
And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead. (Matthew 17:1-9)
Decade Prayers
(Meditate on the Transfiguration 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
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 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 Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist
And whilst they were eating, Jesus took bread; and blessing, broke, and gave to them, and said: Take ye. This is my body. And having taken the chalice, giving thanks, he gave it to them. And they all drank of it. He said to them: This is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many. Amen I say to you, that I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I shall drink it new in the kingdom of God. (Mark 14:22-25)
Decade Prayers
(Meditate on the Institution of the Eucharist)
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
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 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 Luminous Mysteries
Through these mysteries, the Blessed Virgin Mary leads the faithful to her Son and teaches them to listen to Him, follow His call to conversion, and place their trust in His saving grace. May the Luminous Mysteries draw every soul closer to Jesus and help make the Rosary a faithful part of daily prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions
On What Day Are the Luminous Mysteries Prayed?
The Luminous Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Thursdays. Before Pope Saint John Paul II introduced them in 2002, the Joyful Mysteries were commonly prayed on Thursdays. The Luminous Mysteries now give the faithful a special day to meditate on the public ministry of Jesus Christ.
What Are the Five Luminous Mysteries?
The five Luminous Mysteries are:
- The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
- The Wedding at Cana
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
- The Transfiguration of Jesus
- The Institution of the Holy Eucharist
Together, these mysteries reveal Christ as the Light of the world and lead the faithful through the chief events of His public ministry.
What Are the Biblical Foundations of the Luminous Mysteries?
Each Luminous Mystery is drawn from the New Testament:
- The Baptism of Jesus - Matthew 3:13–17
- The Wedding at Cana - John 2:1–12
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom - Mark 1:14–15
- The Transfiguration of Jesus - Matthew 17:1–9
- The Institution of the Holy Eucharist - Mark 14:22–25
What Is the Spiritual Fruit of Each Luminous Mystery?
A spiritual fruit is a virtue or grace that the faithful seek while meditating on a mystery. The fruits commonly linked with the Luminous Mysteries are:
- The Baptism of Jesus — openness to the Holy Spirit
- The Wedding at Cana — trust in Mary’s intercession and obedience to Jesus
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom — conversion of heart
- The Transfiguration — a desire for holiness
- The Institution of the Holy Eucharist — love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
These fruits help the mysteries become part of daily Christian life rather than events remembered only in the mind.
Why Were the Luminous Mysteries Introduced?
Pope Saint John Paul II introduced the Luminous Mysteries in 2002 through his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae. He proposed them so that the Rosary would include a fuller meditation on the public ministry of Jesus between His hidden life and His Passion.
These mysteries draw attention to moments when Christ revealed His divine identity, proclaimed the Kingdom of God, and gave Himself to the Church in the Holy Eucharist.
How Long Does It Take to Pray the Luminous Mysteries?
Praying the five Luminous Mysteries usually takes about fifteen to twenty minutes when the customary prayers are recited. A Scripture Rosary may take longer because the Gospel passage for each mystery is read before the decade begins.
The time required matters less than praying with attention, faith, and a sincere desire to draw closer to Jesus.
Can the Luminous Mysteries Be Prayed on Any Day?
Yes. Thursday is the customary day for the Luminous Mysteries, but Catholics may pray them on any day. They may be chosen when someone wishes to meditate on Christ’s public ministry, pray for conversion, grow in faith, or deepen devotion to the Holy Eucharist.
The traditional weekly schedule helps give order to the Rosary, but it does not prevent the faithful from choosing a different set of mysteries for a special need or intention.
Why Are They Called the Luminous Mysteries?
They are called the Luminous Mysteries, or Mysteries of Light, because each one reveals Jesus Christ as the Light of the world. His divine identity is made known at the Jordan, His glory begins to shine at Cana, His Kingdom is proclaimed, His majesty is revealed in the Transfiguration, and His abiding presence is given in the Holy Eucharist.
Through these mysteries, the faithful are called to listen to Christ, follow Him faithfully, and allow His light to guide their lives.
“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
More Rosary Resources
Rosary Mysteries
- Joyful Mysteries
- Sorrowful Mysteries
- Glorious Mysteries
- Luminous Mysteries (You are Here)
Litanies & Chaplet
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