“In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.”
Matthew 6:7 NABRE
When we pray the Rosary we do not mindlessly say the prayers and go through the motions. When you are first learning the rosary and the individual prayers of the rosary you focus on saying the prayers correctly and focus on what each prayer is saying. Once you have become accustomed to the prayers and the rhythm of the rosary then you need to engage your mind and begin meditating on the mysteries.
The mysteries of the Rosary are the heart of praying the Rosary. During each decade of the Rosary we meditate on one of the mysteries of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. The goal is to experience the mystery as fully as possible as you pray through the prayers in the decade. Consider what scripture has to say about the mystery, contemplate the reality of the scene of the mystery, the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. Contemplate what the apostles, disciples, and Jesus's mother Mary would have been feeling during the events of Jesus's life. Think about how the mystery applies to your life, both in general and at the time you pray the Rosary. Let The Spirit move your thoughts and direct your interior eye as you pray the Rosary and don't feel bad if you lose your place in the prayers while you contemplate the mysteries. The importance part is to unite yourself with Christ, not to say the prayers exactly by the book. Whenever you pray the Rosary remember to meditate on the mysteries, for without the mysteries the Rosary is just a jumbled group of prayers, prayed without thought and without purpose.
When the Rosary originated and came into wide practice the mysteries that people meditated on were not set. The idea was to meditate on scenes from the Gospels and the live the Apostles and Mary. Saint Dominic, who is attributed with the promulgation of the Rosary, having been given it by the virgin Mary, would preach the Gospels in the streets and then lead the people in the Rosary, meditating on the Gospel he had just preached. As time went on and the Rosary become more widely spread, specific sets of Mysteries evolved and then were promoted by the popes. The current common sets of mysteries and a daily schedule for praying them can be found below.
Schedule for Praying the Rosary Daily
Modern
Sunday: Glorious Mysteries
Monday: Joyful Mysteries
Tuesday: Sorrowful Mysteries
Wednesday: Glorious Mysteries
Thursday: Luminous Mysteries
Friday: Sorrowful Mysteries
Saturday: Joyful Mysteries
Traditional
Sunday: Glorious Mysteries
Monday: Joyful Mysteries
Tuesday: Sorrowful Mysteries
Wednesday: Glorious Mysteries
Thursday: Joyful Mysteries
Friday: Sorrowful Mysteries
Saturday: Glorious Mysteries
The Three Traditional Mysteries from St. Pope Pius V
St. John Paul II Addition
The Joyful Mysteries
These mysteries center around the Incarnation of God as Jesus Christ, his birth, and his time as a youth. They encompass the nativity and early life scenes about Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Zechariah, and Jesus given in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew.
The Sorrowful Mysteries
These mysteries walk us through the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ. They begin with his time on the Mount of Olives in the Garden, move through the events of Good Friday and end with the death of Jesus on the Cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
The Glorious Mysteries
These mysteries focus us on the risen Christ and what His kingdom is about. It begins with the events of Easter Sunday morning with the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and move through the early days of the Church. This set of mysteries includes two mysteries concerning Mary that we have from Apostolic Tradition: Mary's Assumption and her Coronation as the Queen Mother.
The Luminous Mysteries
These mysteries bridge the gap between the events of Christ's birth and his death, recounting important moment's in the life of Christ and his ministry on earth. These mysteries focus us on the Sacraments, the message of the good news and proclamation of the kingdom, and Jesus's dual nature as being fully God and fully man.
The Annunciation
Gabriel visits Mary and proclaims the Incarnation to her and an angel visits Joseph and proclaims the Incarnation to him.
The Agony in the Garden
Jesus leaves the Last Supper and travels with the disciples to the Mount of Olives. He prayers for the cup to pass Him, but for the Will of The Father to be done.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The Lord has Risen, go and tell his disciples that He will meet them in Galilee. Peter and John run to the tomb. Jesus speaks with Mary Magdalene. Jesus goes to the upper room and Thomas declares him his Lord and his God. Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep.
The Baptism of Jesus Christ
Jesus is Baptized in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. The Holy Spirit descends on him as a dove. The voice of God comes from the cloud proclaiming Jesus as his beloved Son.
The Visitation
Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth who is filled with the Holy Spirit upon their meeting.
The Scourging at the Pillar
Jesus is scourged by the Romans. He is whipped. His flesh is torn by the barbs and hooks and weights on the whips.
The Ascension
Jesus takes them out of the city as far as Bethany. He tells them to wait for the Holy Spirit and then Ascends to heaven.
The Wedding Feast at Canaa
At the prompting from His mother Mary, Jesus turns the water to wine and His disciples begin to believe in Him.
The Nativity
Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem where Jesus is born and laid in a manger, he is worshiped by shepherds, and visited by the Magi.
The Crowning of Thorns
The Roman soldiers crown Jesus with ring of thorns, placing a reed in his hand, and purple robe on his shoulders.
Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends on the disciples in the upper room. They go out into the streets proclaiming the Good News of Jesus' resurrection.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
Repent and believe the good news! Jesus teaches the people about the Kingdom of God through plain word and through parable.
The Presentation
Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the Temple to dedicate him to the Lord and fulfill the precepts of the Law. Simeon and Anna the prophets proclaim Jesus as the salvation of Israel and the light to the Gentiles.
The Way of the Cross
Jesus carries his cross from the Praetorium to the place of the skull where he was to be crucified.
The Assumption of Mary
Mary is taken to heaven, body and soul, in anticipation of our own bodily resurrection and entrance into heaven.
The Transfiguration
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on the mountain and is transfigured before them.
The Finding
Jesus stays in Jerusalem as his parents leave to return home. After looking for three days they find him in the Temple teaching and astounding those gathered there with his knowledge.
The Crucifixion and Death
Jesus is nailed to the cross and hung upon a tree. He gives His mother to us and us to His mother. He forgives the good thief. He tells us that it is finished. He cries out to the Lord. He gives up His spirit. The earth quakes, the dead awaken, and the Temple veil is torn in two.
The Coronation of Mary
Mary as our Queen, and the Queen Mother of Jesus, intercedes on our behalf and asks her son Jesus to help us in our needs.
The Establishment of the Eucharist
Jesus establishes the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Take and Eat, this is my Body which shall be given up for you. Take and Drink, this is My blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant, it will be shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin. Do this in memory of Me.