Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary

Original Publish: February 27, 2022

Last Publish: August 9, 2026

The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary meditate on the Passion of Christ — the five defining moments from the night in Gethsemane to the death on Calvary. These mysteries are traditionally prayed on Tuesdays, Fridays, and on Sundays throughout Lent. Each mystery is accompanied here by its Gospel passage, the Our Father, ten Hail Marys, the Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer, providing everything you need to pray the complete Sorrowful Mysteries. A printable PDF is also available in the links below.

What Are the Sorrowful Mysteries?

The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary are the five meditations drawn from the Passion and suffering of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospels. They are called sorrowful because each mystery centers on a moment of profound suffering — the agony of Christ in the garden, the brutality of the scourging and crowning with thorns, and the weight of the Cross carried to Calvary where Our Lord gave His life for the redemption of the world.

The five Sorrowful Mysteries are:

The Agony in the Garden – Jesus prays in Gethsemane and accepts the will of the Father as His disciples sleep (Luke 22:39–46)
The Scourging at the Pillar – Jesus is bound and scourged by the Roman soldiers (John 19:1)
The Crowning with Thorns – the soldiers mock Jesus as King, pressing a crown of thorns onto His head (Matthew 27:27–31)
The Carrying of the Cross – Jesus carries His Cross through the streets of Jerusalem to Golgotha (Luke 23:26–32)
The Crucifixion – Jesus is nailed to the Cross and dies for the sins of the world (Luke 23:33–46)

Each mystery draws the soul into the heart of Christ’s redemptive suffering—not as a distant observer, but as one invited to stand at the foot of the Cross with Our Lady. Meditating on the Sorrowful Mysteries unites the soul’s pain and struggle with the Passion of Christ and helps the soul find healing, redemption, and hope in Him.

The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary are closely tied to the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, who stood at the foot of the Cross and shared in her Son’s Passion. They are sometimes confused with the Seven Sorrows of Mary — a separate devotion that meditates on seven moments of the Blessed Mother’s own grief. The Sorrowful Mysteries, by contrast, are the five Passion meditations of the Rosary prayed on Tuesdays, Fridays, and the Sundays of Lent.

Sorrowful Mysteries Structure and Prayer Order

Praying the Sorrowful Mysteries follows the same structure as the traditional Holy Rosary. All prayers are provided in full below. This overview shows the complete sequence before the prayers begin.

Begin with the Opening Prayers:

Make 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

For each of the five Sorrowful Mysteries:

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

After completing all five decades:

Pray the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen)
Pray the Rosary Closing Prayer
Pray the Fatima Pardon Prayer
End with the Sign of the Cross

This rhythm of prayer walks the soul through the Passion of Christ — from the garden of Gethsemane to the foot of the Cross. All prayers follow in full below.

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 Sorrowful Mysteries

First Sorrowful Mystery: Agony in the Garden

And going out, he went, according to his custom, to the mount of Olives. And his disciples also followed him.

And when he was come to the place, he said to them: Pray, lest ye enter into temptation. And he was withdrawn away from them a stone’s cast; and kneeling down, he prayed, Saying: Father, if thou wilt, remove this chalice from me: but yet not my will, but thine be done. And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed the longer. And his sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground.

And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow. And he said to them: Why sleep you? arise, pray, lest you enter into temptation. (Luke 22:39-46)

Decade Prayers
(Meditate on The Agony in the Garden)

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

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 Sorrowful Mystery: Scourging at the Pillar

And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, saying: Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus saith to him: Thou sayest it. And when he was accused by the chief priests and ancients, he answered nothing. Then Pilate saith to him: Dost not thou hear how great testimonies they allege against thee? And he answered him to never a word; so that the governor wondered exceedingly.

Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would. And he had then a notorious prisoner, that was called Barabbas. They therefore being gathered together, Pilate said: Whom will you that I release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus that is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

And as he was sitting in the place of judgment, his wife sent to him, saying: Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

But the chief priests and ancients persuaded the people, that they should ask for Barabbas, and take Jesus away. And the governor answering, said to them: Whether will you of the two to be released unto you? But they said, Barabbas. Pilate saith to them: What shall I do then with Jesus that is called Christ? They say all: Let him be crucified. The governor said to them: Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying: Let him be crucified.

And Pilate seeing that he prevailed nothing, but that rather a tumult was made; taking water washed his hands before the people, saying: I am innocent of the blood of this just man; look you to it. And the whole people answering, said: His blood be upon us and our children. Then he released to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him unto them to be crucified. (Matthew 27:11-26)

Decade Prayers
(Meditate on The Scourging at the Pillar)

Our Father

Hail Mary

Repeat 10 Times

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.

Third Sorrowful Mystery: Crowning with Thorns

Then the soldiers of the governor taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together unto him the whole band; And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak about him. And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, king of the Jews. And spitting upon him, they took the reed, and struck his head. And after they had mocked him, they took off the cloak from him, and put on him his own garments, and led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:27-31)

Decade Prayers
(Meditate on The Crowning with Thorns)

Our Father

Hail Mary

Repeat 10 Times

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.

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: Carrying of the Cross

And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus.

And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented him.

But Jesus turning to them, said: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For behold, the days shall come, wherein they will say: Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the paps that have not given suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains: Fall upon us; and to the hills: Cover us. For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry?

And there were also two other malefactors led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified him there; and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. (Luke 23:26-33)

Decade Prayers
(Meditate on The Carrying of the Cross)

Our Father

Hail Mary

Repeat 10 Times

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.

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: Crucifixion and Death of Christ

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.

When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. (John 19:25-27)

Decade Prayers
(Meditate on The Crucifixion of Christ)

Our Father

Hail Mary

Repeat 10 Times

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.

Closing Prayers of the Holy Rosary

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.

Intentions for the Sorrowful Mysteries

The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary may be offered for many needs, especially those joined to the Passion of Christ. Catholics often pray them in reparation for sin, for the conversion of sinners, for the dying, for those who suffer without comfort, for families wounded by addiction, grief, or estrangement, and for the souls in Purgatory.

A personal intention may also be offered before the Rosary or at the beginning of each decade. As each mystery is prayed, that need can be placed quietly in the hands of Jesus and entrusted to the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Days Are the Sorrowful Mysteries Prayed?

The Sorrowful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays. Many Catholics also pray them on Sundays during Lent because they lead the soul through the Passion and death of Jesus Christ.

This schedule is a Catholic custom rather than a strict rule. The Sorrowful Mysteries may be prayed on any day, especially during Lent, on Fridays, in times of suffering, or when praying for repentance and conversion.

What Are the Five Sorrowful Mysteries?

The five Sorrowful Mysteries are:

The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

Together, these mysteries follow the suffering of Christ from His prayer in Gethsemane to His death upon the Cross.

What Are the Biblical Foundations of the Sorrowful Mysteries?

The Sorrowful Mysteries come from the Gospel accounts of the Passion of Jesus:

The Agony in the Garden - Matthew 26:36–46; Mark 14:32–42; Luke 22:39–46
The Scourging at the Pillar - Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; John 19:1
The Crowning with Thorns - Matthew 27:27–31; Mark 15:16–20; John 19:2–3
The Carrying of the Cross - Luke 23:26–32; John 19:17
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus - Luke 23:33–49; John 19:18–30

These passages help the faithful meditate on what Jesus endured for the salvation of mankind.

What Is the Fruit of Each Sorrowful Mystery?

A spiritual fruit is a virtue or grace commonly connected with a mystery of the Rosary. These fruits help guide meditation, though the wording may vary among Catholic prayer books.

The traditional fruits of the Sorrowful Mysteries include:

The Agony in the Garden — sorrow for sin and obedience to the will of God
The Scourging at the Pillar — purity and self-denial
The Crowning with Thorns — courage and humility
The Carrying of the Cross — patience in suffering
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus — perseverance, forgiveness, and love of Christ

As these mysteries are prayed, the faithful may ask God to form these virtues within their own lives.

How Long Does It Take to Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries?

The Sorrowful Mysteries usually take about twenty to thirty minutes when the five decades and the customary opening and closing prayers are prayed.

The Rosary may take longer when Scripture passages are read, silent pauses are included, or more time is given to meditation. There is no required length. What matters most is that the prayer is offered with faith and attention.

Can the Sorrowful Mysteries Be Prayed Without Rosary Beads?

Yes. Rosary beads help a person keep track of the prayers, but they are not required. The decades may be counted on the fingers, followed from a printed page, or prayed from memory.

The grace of the Rosary comes from prayerful meditation on the life of Christ, not from possessing a particular set of beads.

What Graces Are Associated With Praying the Sorrowful Mysteries?

The Sorrowful Mysteries help the faithful grow in repentance, humility, patience, courage, forgiveness, and trust in God during suffering. They also deepen love for Jesus by drawing the soul close to His Passion and sacrifice upon the Cross.

There is no separate set of promises given only for the Sorrowful Mysteries. They share in the spiritual graces associated with the Holy Rosary as a whole. Through faithful prayer, a person opens the heart to God’s grace and seeks the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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

More Rosary Resources

Rosary Mysteries

PDF Downloads

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