The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
Reflections for each Hail, Mary:
- Mary's cousin Elizabeth conceived a son in her old age . . . for nothing is impossible with God.
- Charity prompts Mary to hasten to visit Elizabeth in the hour of her need.
- The journey to Elizabeth's home is about eighty miles requiring four or five days.
- Though long and arduous, the journey is joyous, for Mary bears with her the Incarnate Word.
- At Mary's salutation, John the Baptist is sanctified in his mother's womb.
- Elizabeth exclaims: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
- "How have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"
- "Blessed is she who believed that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled."
- Mary replies: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit finds joy in God my Savior."
- Mary serves her cousin in all humility for three months until the birth of John the Baptist. .
Hail Mary...(ten times)
Glory be...
O, my Jesus...
The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity of Our Lord
Reflections for each Hail, Mary:
- Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem to comply with the decree of Caesar Augustus.
- The hour for Mary to give birth is near, but there is no room in the inn.
- In the stillness of the night, the Savior is born in a cave, Mary remaining a Virgin.
- She wraps Him in swaddling clothes and lays Him in a manger.
- In unspeakable joy Mary gathers to her bosom the Flower of her virginity.
- Jesus enters the world in poverty to teach the lesson of detachment from earthly things.
- The angel announces to the shepherds: "Today there is born to you in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord."
- The angelic chorus sing: "Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth."
- The shepherds come to the stable to pay homage to the Infant Jesus.
- The Magi come to adore the Holy Child and offer Him gifts.
Hail Mary...(ten times)
Glory be...
O, my Jesus...