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The First Glorious Mystery
THE RESURRECTION
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The body of Jesus is placed in the tomb on
the evening of Good Friday.
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His soul descends into the realm of the dead
to announce to the Just the tidings of their redemption.
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Fearing the body of Jesus will be taken, the
chief priests place guards at the tomb.
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On the third day Jesus rises from the dead,
glorious and immortal.
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The earth quakes as the angel rolls back the
stone, the guards flee in terror.
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The holy women coming to anoint the body of
Jesus are amazed and frightened to find the tomb open.
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An angel calms their fears: "He is not here.
He has risen as He said."
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Jesus appears to Mary Magdalen and Peter and
two disciples on the way to Emmaus.
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That evening He appears to the apostles behind
locked doors: "Peace be unto you ... do not be afraid."
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Jesus breathes on them and gives them the
power to forgive sin.
Spiritual Fruit: Faith
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The Second Glorious Mystery
THE ASCENSION
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Jesus remains on earth forty days after His
Resurrection to prove He has truly risen from the dead.
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He commissions the apostles to preach the
gospel to every creature, and promises to be with them forever.
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He will not leave them orphans, but will send
the Holy Spirit to enlighten and strengthen them.
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Jesus proceeds to Mt. Olivet accompanied by
His Mother and the apostles and disciples.
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Extending His pierced hands over all in a
last blessing, He ascends into heaven.
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As He ascends a cloud takes Him from their
sight.
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Jesus ascends to take His place at the right
hand of the Father.
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What jubilation there must be amid the angels
of heaven at the triumphant entry of Jesus.
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The wounds in His glorified body are an endless
plea before the Father on our behalf.
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The disciples leave Mt. Olivet and "return
to Jerusalem with great joy."
Spiritual Fruit: Christian Hope
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The Third Glorious Mystery
THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
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The apostles are gathered in the upper room
where Jesus had held the Last Supper.
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They are persevering in prayer with Mary the
Mother of Jesus.
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A sound comes from heaven like the rush of
a mighty wind, and it fills the whole house.
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The Holy Spirit descends on each of them in
the form of tongues of fire.
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Filled with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit,
they are enlightened and strengthened to spread the gospel.
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Having lost all fear of the Jewish leaders,
the apostles boldly preach Christ crucified.
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The multitudes are confounded because every
man hears them speak in his own tongue.
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The Holy Spirit comes upon the Infant Church
never to leave it.
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That first day Peter goes forth to preach
and baptizes three thousand.
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The feast of Pentecost is the birthday of
the Church, for on that day it begins to grow.
Spiritual Fruit: Gifts of the Holy
Spirit
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The Fourth Glorious Mystery
THE ASSUMPTION
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After the apostles have dispersed, the Blessed
Mother goes to live with John, the beloved disciple.
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Mary lives many years on earth after the death
of Christ.
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She is a source of comfort, consolation and
strength to the apostles.
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As she had nourished the infant Jesus, so
she nourishes spiritually the infant Church.
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Mary dies, not of bodily infirmity, but is
wholly ravished in a rapture of divine love.
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Her body as well as her soul is taken up into
heaven.
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After her burial the apostles go to the tomb
and find only fragrant lilies.
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Jesus does not permit the sinless body of
His Mother to decay in the grave.
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Corruption of the body is an effect of original
sin from which Mary is totally exempted.
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The bodies of all mankind, at the last judgment,
will be brought back and united again to the soul.
Spiritual Fruit: To Jesus through
Mary
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The Fifth Glorious Mystery
THE CORONATION
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As Mary enters heaven, the entire court of
heaven greets with joy this masterpiece of God's creation.
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Mary is crowned by her divine Son as Queen
of heaven and earth.
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More than we can ever know the Hearts of Jesus
and Mary overflow with joy at this reunion.
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Only in heaven will we know the great majesty
of that coronation, and the joy it gave to the angels and saints.
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Even the angels, who by nature are greater
than humans, hail Mary as their Queen.
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Mary shares so fully in the glory of Christ
because she shared so fully in His suffering.
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Only in heaven will we see how central is
the role of Mary in the divine plan of redemption.
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The angels and saints longed for the coming
of her whose heel crushes the head of the serpent.
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Mary pleads our cause as a most powerful Queen
and a most merciful and loving Mother.
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A great sign appeared in heaven; a woman clothed
with the sun, the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve
stars.
Spiritual Fruit: Grace of Final
Perseverance
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