Praying a Scriptural Rosary | Meditating with Scripture PDF

Praying a Scriptural Rosary is a wonderful and powerful way to prayerfully meditate on the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Catholics all over the world are familiar with the grace and promises that Our Lady imparts through the Rosary, but a Scriptural Rosary can help you get even closer to the Bible and the word of God.

What is a Scriptural Rosary?

The Holy Rosary is already a scripture-rooted prayer. A Scriptural Rosary offers the chance to not only reflect on each mystery during the decade, but also to recite a sacred biblical verse or a longer bible passage between each decade of prayers.

The prayers that make up the Mysteries of the Rosary ask us to meditate on a variety of pivotal times in the lives of Jesus and Mary. If we approach the mysteries with scripture, there is a possibility that we will discover beautiful insights and applications that we can apply to our own lives.

How to Mediate with Scripture while Praying the Rosary?

You can meditate on the mysteries of the rosary and learn valuable lessons from the lives of Jesus and Mary as you pray the decades. Each day of the week, Catholics traditionally reflect on a different mystery. The prayers for each decade are said several times. These words, which are deeply rooted in the Bible and Christian tradition, can be a powerful meditation.

The Catechism illustrates:

“Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.” (Paragraph 2708)

As you read scripture verse that describes the Mystery, picture the scene. Become absorbed in the scene. Consider being there by Jesus' side. You can fully immerse yourself in the scene and explore what you would have been thinking and feeling if you had been there. The scripture verses help you to contemplate and learn from the life of our Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Why pray a Scriptural Rosary?

Use the Scriptural Rosary to meditate in prayer and to learn more about our Lord. A deeper understanding of Sacred Scripture is a preparation for hearing God's voice in one's life because it helps one become more familiar with it.

The beads of the rosary illustrate the Word of God in the Gospels. In Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope John Paul II reflects on the truth that the mysteries begin with Mary's experience, emphasizing the rosary's contemplative nature. He continues by quoting Pope Paul VI, emphasizing the need to preserve the contemplation of the rosary and its mysteries lest it degenerate into rote repetition rather than conscious meditation on the mysteries.

If you pray the mysteries of the Rosary, concentrate on sacred scripture, and seek to comprehend how God is at work in your life, you are bound to receive gods grace in the Rosary.

How to Pray a Scriptural Rosary?

Pray a Scriptural Rosary by adding scripture to a traditional Holy Rosary. When announcing the Mystery, at the beginning of a decade, read or recite a passage of scripture that corresponds to the Mystery. Use the following Hail Marys to meditate on the scripture.

Below are the Scriptural verses for the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. Please also see the PDF guide below for your convenience.

Scriptural Rosary: The Joyful Mysteries

Below are suggested biblical verses to pray with the Joyful Mysteries.

The First Joyful Mystery Scripture: The Annunciation

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. (Luke 1:26-27)

The Second Joyful Mystery Scripture: The Visitation

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!' (Luke 1:39-42)

The Third Joyful Mystery Scripture: The Nativity

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:1-7)

The Fourth Joyful Mystery Scripture: The Presentation in the Temple

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord') and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, 'a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." (Luke 2:21-24).

The Fifth Joyful Mystery Scripture: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it. 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. (Luke 2:41-47)

Scriptural Rosary: The Sorrowful Mysteries

Below are suggested biblical verses to pray with the Sorrowful Mysteries.

The First Sorrowful Mystery Scripture: The Agony in the Garden

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I go yonder and pray.' And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.' And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.' (Matthew 26:36-39)

The Second Sorrowful Mystery Scripture: The Scourging at the Pillar

Pilate released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26)

The Third Sorrowful Mystery Scripture: The Crowning of Thorns

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' (Matthew 27:27-29)

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery Scripture: The Carrying of the Cross

And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). (Mark 15:21-22)

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery Scripture: The Crucifixion

And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!' And having said this he breathed his last. (Luke **23:33-46)

Scriptural Rosary: The Glorious Mysteries

Below are suggested biblical verses to pray with the Glorious Mysteries.

The First Glorious Mystery Scripture: The Ressurection

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.' (Luke 24:1-5)

The Second Glorious Mystery Scripture: The Ascension

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24:50-53)

The Third Glorious Mystery Scripture: The Descent of the Holy Spirit

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)

The Fourth Glorious Mystery Scripture: The Assumption

"Henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me" (Luke 1:48-49).

The Fifth Glorious Mystery Scripture: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven

And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars" (Revelations 12:1)

Scriptural Rosary: The Luminous Mysteries

Below are suggested biblical verses to pray with the Luminous Mysteries.

The First Luminous Mystery Scripture: The Baptism in the River Jordan

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 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; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17)

The Second Luminous Mystery Scripture: The Wedding Feast at Cana

On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come. HIs mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 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 to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now became 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 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed him. After this he went town to Capernaum, with his mother and brethren and his disciple; and there they stayed for a few days. (John 2: 1-12)

The Third Luminous Mystery Scripture: The Baptism in the River Jordan

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel. (Mark 1:15)

The Fourth Luminous Mystery Scripture: The Baptism in the River Jordan

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them, and his garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved son; listen to him.” And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only. (Mark 9:2-8)

The Fifth Luminous Mystery Scripture: The Baptism in the River Jordan

And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 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.” (Mark 14:22-25)

Scriptural Rosary PDF Guide | Praying a Rosary with Scripture

Download a free printable guide on praying a Scriptural Rosary. Included in the guide are all four mysteries and the corresponding scriptures to each one of them. Download here.

Want to pray a more illustrative type of Scriptural Rosary?

Another way to pray a Rosary with Scripture is to pray a short line of scripture, maybe only a single verse, before you say each Hail Mary in the decade. The method allows you to slowly walk through a scene as you pray each Hail Mary, verse by verse. It illustrates the scene for you as you pray each Hail Mary.

If you want to try this alternative method, please use the links below. Each set of mysteries has the verses listed out and numbered.

Illustrative Scriptural Rosary: The Glorious Mysteries

Illustrative Scriptural Rosary: The Sorrowful Mysteries

Illustrative Scriptural Rosary: The Joyful Mysteries

Illustrative Scriptural Rosary: The Luminous Mysteries

Other Catholic Prayer Resources

How to Pray the Rosary: Illustrative Guide

The Litany of Humility: The Toughest Prayer

How to Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

The Rosary Card - Built For Convenience

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Please let me know how your journey with the Rosary is going, I'd love to hear from you. Send me a message an email at: brennan@everydayprayerco.com

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