Learning About The Life of Mary & Jesus
Through The Rosary Joyful Mysteries
Joyful Mysteries
The first set of mysteries is the Joyful Mysteries, which focus on the joyful events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. They include the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would conceive Jesus by the Holy Spirit; the Visitation, where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was also miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist; the Nativity, the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem; the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple; and the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple after he was lost for three days.
The Annunciation of The Lord to Mary
Mary learns from the Angel Gabriel that she will conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
The Annunciation is a significant event in Christian tradition, where Mary, a young virgin, receives a profound message from the Angel Gabriel. In the Gospel of Luke 1:26-38 (all passages referenced from New American Revision Catholic Bible), the angel appears to Mary and reveals that she has been chosen by God to conceive a child through the Holy Spirit. The passage describes Mary's initial confusion and her eventual acceptance of this divine calling, as she humbly declares, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). This encounter signifies the beginning of Mary's role in the salvation story, as she becomes the mother of Jesus, the Son of God, who would bring redemption to the world through his life, death, and resurrection.
“And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High…
‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.’
Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’”
— Luke 1:31-32, 35, 38
The Annunciation by El Greco, c. 1590–1603
Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is also miraculously pregnant, and they share in the joy of their unborn children.
The Visitation is a significant event described in the Bible where Mary, who is pregnant with Jesus, visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is also miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist. Luke 1:39-45 recounts how Mary, after receiving the news of her own pregnancy, travels to a town in Judah to visit Elizabeth. As soon as Elizabeth hears Mary's greeting, her unborn child leaps in her womb, and she is filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth exclaims with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Mary responds with the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), praising God's greatness and expressing gratitude for the honor bestowed upon her. This encounter between the two expectant mothers is a joyous occasion, symbolizing the blessings and divine providence surrounding the births of Jesus and John, and it highlights the bond shared by these faithful women.
The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb.
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?’”
— Luke 1:41-43
Visitation by Raphael, c. 1517
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus is born in Bethlehem, and Mary and Joseph adore him in a humble stable.
The Nativity recounts the miraculous birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, as foretold by the prophets. In Luke 2:6-7, it is written, "While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn." In this humble stable, Mary and Joseph, filled with awe and reverence, adored the newborn Jesus, recognizing him as the long-awaited Messiah and the Son of God. This sacred event marks the beginning of the earthly journey of Jesus, who would go on to teach, heal, and ultimately sacrifice himself for the salvation of humanity.
“’…to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’”
— Luke 2:11-14
Adoration of the Shepherds by Matthias Stomer, c. 1632
The Presentation of Our Lord
Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the Temple, where they encounter Simeon and Anna, who recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
In the biblical event known as "The Presentation," Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the Temple according to Jewish custom, where they encounter Simeon and Anna. In Luke 2:22-32, it is written: "When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,' and to offer the sacrifice of 'a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,' in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord." Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before seeing the Messiah, took Jesus in his arms, praised God, and said, "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation." Anna, an elderly prophetess who spent her days in fasting and prayer, also recognized Jesus and spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:25-38). This event marks the acknowledgment of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah by Simeon and Anna in the presence of Mary and Joseph.
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon…
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
… when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’”
— Luke 2:25-32
Presentation of Christ in the Temple, South German, likely altarpiece wing, c. late 15th century
Finding of Jesus in the Temple at Age 12
Mary and Joseph find Jesus teaching in the Temple, revealing his divine wisdom even at a young age.
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple is a significant event where Mary and Joseph discover Jesus in the Temple, astonishingly teaching and demonstrating his divine wisdom despite his tender age. In Luke 2:46-47, it is written, "After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. All who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers." This episode emphasizes Jesus' unique nature as the Son of God and foreshadows his future role as a teacher and a source of divine wisdom.
“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, ‘Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.’
He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’”
— Luke 2:46-49
Disputation with the Doctors by Duccio di Buoninsegna, c. 1308-1311
The Comic Guide to The Holy Rosary…
is an activity book by Kevin Pawlowski of Paradise Found Studio, contains dozens of images that can be used for deep reflection on the lives of Jesus and the Holy Family.
Each mystery includes a visual illustration based on classic art, but in a comic book style. Alongside each illustration are relevant Bible passages that pertain to each mystery. Passages were selected to highlight key events, teachings, or messages connected to the mysteries. The purpose is to provide scriptural grounding and enhance the reader's understanding of the events being contemplated.
In addition to the illustrated mysteries, The Comic Guide to The Holy Rosary includes traditional prayers of the Rosary, such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. These prayers would likely be presented in a format that allows readers to follow along and engage in the meditative aspect of the Rosary.