Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
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 of the Rosary. 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 own pain and struggle with the Passion of Christ and finds in that union the source of all healing, redemption, and hope.
How to Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries (Step-by-Step)
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 of the Holy Rosary
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 Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
Agony in the Garden
In the Agony in the Garden, Jesus willingly accepts the suffering that awaits Him for the salvation of mankind. Though filled with sorrow and anguish, He submits completely to the will of the Father. This mystery teaches the faithful to trust God during times of fear, suffering, temptation, and uncertainty.
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
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.
Scourging at the Pillar
In the Scourging at the Pillar, Jesus suffers brutal punishment, though He is completely innocent. He accepts humiliation and pain out of love for sinners and for the redemption of the world. This mystery reminds the faithful of the terrible reality of sin and the immense price paid for salvation.
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 Barrabbas. They therefore being gathered together, Pilate said: Whom will you that I release to you, Barrabbas, 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, Barrabbas. 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
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
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.
Crowning with Thorns
In the Crowning with Thorns, Jesus is mocked, rejected, and ridiculed as King, yet He remains silent and humble before His persecutors. The Savior accepts humiliation and suffering to reveal the true nature of divine love and mercy.
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
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
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.
Carrying of the Cross
In the Carrying of the Cross, Jesus carries the weight of mankind’s sins on the road to Calvary. Though weakened by suffering, He continues forward in love and obedience to the Father. Simon of Cyrene helps carry the Cross, showing that God often works through others during times of suffering.
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
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
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.
Crucifixion and Death of Christ
In the Crucifixion, Jesus offers His life on the Cross for the salvation of the world. Through His suffering and death, sin is conquered, and the gates of Heaven are opened to mankind. From the Cross, Christ reveals the fullness of divine mercy, forgiveness, and sacrificial love.
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
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
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.
Common Intentions for the Sorrowful Mysteries
The Sorrowful Mysteries are often prayed with specific intentions placed at the heart of each decade. Common intentions include: reparation for sin and the conversion of sinners; prayers for the dying and those in their final agony; intercession for those who suffer unjustly or without comfort; peace in families torn by addiction, grief, or estrangement; and the souls in purgatory. You may offer your own intention at the start of each mystery — simply hold it before God as you pray.
Frequently Asked Questions
With the current rosary schedule, the Sorrowful Mysteries are prayed on Tuesdays, Fridays, and on Sundays throughout Lent. Before 2002, Sundays outside of Lent also followed the Sorrowful Mysteries, but Pope Saint John Paul II introduced the Luminous Mysteries that year and assigned them to Thursdays, shifting the Sunday default to the Glorious Mysteries. During Lent, Sundays return to the Sorrowful Mysteries as a sign of our participation in the Passion of Christ.
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 Our Lord
The Sorrowful Mysteries are drawn directly from the Gospels:
- The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46)
- The Scourging at the Pillar (John 19:1)
- The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-31)
- The Carrying of the Cross (Luke 23:26-32)
- The Crucifixion (Luke 23:33-49, John 19:18-30)
The spiritual fruits are:
- Agony in the Garden – Conformity to God’s will
- Scourging at the Pillar – Purity and mortification
- Crowning with Thorns – Moral courage
- Carrying of the Cross – Patience in trials
- Crucifixion – Perseverance in faith, forgiveness, and salvation
Praying the Sorrowful Mysteries typically takes 15–20 minutes. If prayed scripturally (reading the scriptures for all five decade mysteries), it usually takes 45–60 minutes.
Yes. Rosary beads are a helpful aid, but they are not required. The prayers and meditations may be followed on your fingers or recited with devotion.
The Rosary brings countless graces, including peace of heart, strength against temptation, growth in virtue, and union with Christ. The Sorrowful Mysteries in particular help us grow in repentance, courage, patience in suffering, and deeper love for the sacrifice of Jesus.
Related Rosary Prayers & Resources
Rosary Mysteries
- Joyful Mysteries
- Sorrowful Mysteries (You are Here)
- Glorious Mysteries
- Luminous Mysteries
- Tuesday Rosary
- Friday Rosary
PDF Downloads
Decade Mysteries
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