The Luminous Mysteries

Prayed on Thursdays and Sundays in Ordinary Time after Theophany until Lent

The Luminous Mysteries, introduced by Pope St. John Paul II in 2002, recall the major events of Jesus’ public ministry and especially focus on the theme of light.  Light shines from the heavens at Jesus’ baptism, the apostles begin to understand who Jesus is, Jesus sends out the apostles to preach to the surrounding villages, Jesus becomes more radiant than the sun, and the Eucharist is celebrated for the very first time.

1st Mystery: The Baptism in the Jordan


1. John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mk 1:4)

2. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. (Mk 1:5)

3. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather belt around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. (Mk 1:6)

4. The people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ. (Lk 3:15)




8. But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. (Mt 3:15)

9. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him. (Mt 3:16)


2nd Mystery: The Wedding Feast at Cana



2. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” (Jn 2:3)



5. Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. (Jn 2:6-7)

6. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it. (Jn 2:8)

7. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom. (Jn 2:9)



10. After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brethren and his disciples; and there they stayed for a few days. (Jn 2:12)

3rd Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God


1. These Twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Mt 10:5-6)

2. Preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ (Mt 10:7)

3. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay. (Mt 10:8)

4. Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. (Mt 10:9-10)

5. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. (Mt 10:11)

6. As you enter the house, salute it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. (Mt 10:12-13)




10. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mt 11:30)

4th Mystery: The Transfiguration

OF: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only-begotten Son from the Father. (Jn 1:14)

1. And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. (Mt 17:1)


3. And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. (Lk 9:30-31)

4. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep but kept awake, and they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. (Lk 9:32)


6. He was still speaking, when behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (Mt 17:5)

7. When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” (Mt 17:6-7)

8. And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only. (Mk 9:8)

9. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead.” (Mt 17:9)

10. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. (Lk 9:36b)

5th Mystery: The Institution of the Most Holy Eucharist

OF: Instead of these things you gave your people the food of angels… for your sustenance manifested your sweetness toward your children; and the bread, ministering to the desire of the one who took it, was changed to suit every one’s liking. (Wis 20a, 21)




4. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and tied a towel around himself. (Jn 13:3-4)

5. Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. (Jn 13:5)

6. And when the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Lk 22:14-15)

7. Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” (Mt 26:26)


9. “Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” (Mk 14:25)

10.  When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples across the Kidron valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. (Jn 18:1)