The Mysteries of Light

The Mysteries of the Light (or Luminous Mysteries) are the latest of the Mysteries of the Catholic Rosary. The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary were introduced by His Holiness John Paul II, on 16th October 2002, during his 25th Anniversary of his Pontificate. In his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae (RVM), he inaugurated the Year of the Rosary which lasted from October 2002 til October 2003. Furthermore, he introduced the five new Mysteries of the Rosary which were included to the traditional ones. These Mysteries came to be referred to as the Luminous Mysteries or Mysteries of Light which celebrated the public life of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The five new Mysteries of the light, Luminous Mysteries are as listed below:

• The Baptism of Christ
• The wedding at Cana
• The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
• The Transfiguration
• The Institution of the Eucharist

The Baptism of Christ

During this Mystery of the Catholic Rosary, we see the period in the public life of Our Lord Jesus Christ when he went to be baptized. Before this happened, many thought that John the Baptist was the prophesied Messiah who would deliver the Jews. But as Jesus went into the water, they were surprised to see John the Baptist humbled by this man. Then John said to Jesus, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?", and Jesus responded, " Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." (Matt. 3:14-16), John consented with the request. When John had finished baptizing Jesus, the heavens tore open and the spirit of God came in the form of a dove and alighted on him, suddenly a voice came from heaven saying "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased"(Matt. 3:17)

This was the investment of his mission on earth, Jesus was given clearance to start what he came to do. When you pray the rosary, we acknowledge this call to arms so that we may start the mission of every christian on earth. The spiritual fruit for this Mystery is Gratitude for the Gift of Faith.

The wedding at Cana

The Five Mysteries of the Light (Luminous Mysteries)

In the wedding at Cana, the wine was finished and we see Our Holy Mother Mary the mother of Jesus going to him and telling him that the wine was finished, she then instructed the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to. He then instructed them to bring the six water-pots which were nearby and fill water in them. After they finished he then instructed one to fetch the water and take it to the master of the feast, when he tasted he confessed to the groom that, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." (John 2:1-10), This was the first of the miracles that Jesus did (turning water to wine).When praying we are reminded of his glory and might. The spiritual fruit for this mystery is Fidelity, because of his presence he elevated the christian marriage to the dignity of a sacrament.

The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God

This refers us to the point when Jesus was building his ministry on earth, it was a time period when John the Baptist was captured and beheaded, Jesus had gone to the wilderness for forty days and faced temptations from the devil. When he returned he started preaching about the Kingdom of God saying "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). He then proceeded to choose his disciples one by one , this was a call to conversion for all mankind. the spiritual fruit for this rosary Mystery of the Light is Desire for Holiness.

The Transfiguration

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray with his disciples Peter, James and John, He was transfigured before their eyes and his cloths became a radiant light and his face was as dazzling as the sun. this was so that they should be renewed in faith and in preparation for the forthcoming trials and tribulations. With all that transpired on the days that followed this event we Christians are reminded and required to be courageous in spirit, thus the spiritual fruit for this Mystery of Light is Spiritual Courage.

The Institution of the Eucharist

This is the last of the New Mysteries of the Catholic Rosary Mysteries. The Luminous or Mysteries of Light basically shows us the final events of Our Lord Jesus Christ on earth. when he shared bread (which symbolizes his body) and wine (which symbolizes the blood of Christ) with his disciples during the last supper. At the last supper Jesus celebrated the first mass with his disciples and this shows us the Love of our Eucharistic Lord which is also the fruit of this Mystery..

The Mystery of the Rosary

The Mysteries of the Rosary (prayer beads) can be traced back to some pivotal events in the Biblical life of Jesus Christ.

There are fifteen traditional mysteries which have come about on the matter of rosaries in the Catholic Church. These Mysteries are further divided into the groups of five, they are:

• Joyful mysteries - These were said during Mondays and Thursdays,
• Sorrowful mysteries - These were on Tuesdays and Fridays and daily during the month of Lent, and
• Glorious mysteries - These were said on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The fourth groups of these mysteries is the new mysteries of light (also known as the luminous mysteries), this is based on the outlook of the life of Jesus Christ. These mysteries usually falls in between the Joyful and Sorrowful mysteries, it was once suggested by Pope John Paul II, in a letter, that the Mystery of Light should be prayed on Thursdays and the second meditation of the Joyful Mysteries to be moved to Saturdays, However, he showed respect to the rightful freedom for personal and community prayers. The traditional Mysteries are usually prayed on Mondays to Saturdays whereas the new Mysteries of Light are said on Sundays. Some faithful’s opt to say the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary at one sitting, Going through the Rosary beads about three times, saying 3 of the 4 Mystery groups.