The Rosary on Thursday [The Luminous Mysteries]

The Rosary prayed on Thursday is the Luminous Mysteries. The Five Luminous Mysteries, instituted by Pope John Paul II in 2002, are traditionally prayed on Thursdays. Please see our guide below on the Luminious Mysteries and how to pray with the Mysteries of the Rosary. 

Want to learn to pray with the Rosary? Our free PDF Guide. 

The Luminous Mysteries

The First Mystery: The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan
The Second Mystery: The Wedding Feast at Cana
The Third Mystery: Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Fourth Mystery: The Transfiguration
The Fifth Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist

Accompanying Scripture to the Luminous Mysteries

The First Mystery: The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan

Matthew 3:13-17
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 fulfil 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.”

The Second Mystery: The Wedding Feast at Cana

John 2:1-11
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 up 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 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 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 in him.

The Third Mystery: Proclamation of the Kingdom

Matthew 4:12-17
Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light has dawned.”

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The Fourth Mystery: The Transfiguration

Luke 9:28-36
Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, 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”—not knowing what he said. As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

The Fifth Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist

Matthew 26:26-30
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Other Mystery Guides 

Glorious Mysteries - Rosary on Sunday and Wednesday

Luminous Mysteries - Rosary on Thursday

Sorrowful Mysteries - Rosary on Tuesday and Friday

Joyful Mysteries - Rosary on Monday and Saturday

Not sure which mysteries to pray on what day? Here's an easy trick to memorize them. 

How to pray with the Mysteries of the Rosary

The mysteries of the Holy Rosary are meant to help us meditate on scenes in the Christian heritage and story of our faith. Most focus on the life of Jesus, but they also include the story of Mary and many of the holy sacraments of the faith.

The Rosary can be prayed without using the mysteries, but when we add them to our practice of the Rosary, they help us deepen our prayer and examine attentively and deliberately the life of Jesus.

To pray with the Mysteries of the Rosary, simply announce each mystery before starting a decade of the Rosary, and then take a few moments to consider the mystery, before starting with the Our Father.

Announce Mystery
Ponder Mystery
Our Father
10 Hail Mary’s
Glory Be
Fatima Prayer

Announce the Second Mystery, and so on.

You can also read scripture as you announce each Rosary to help meditate on the biblical scene.

Printable PDF of the Mysteries of the Rosary

Need a guide as your pray your Rosary on Thursday? Use this free printable guide to remind you of the Mysteries of the Rosary. 

 Free to download and use to pray! Download Link

The Rosary Card - Built For Convenience

As you learn to pray the Rosary and pray the Rosary on Thursday, check out our Rosary Cards. They are designed for convenience (same size as a Credit Card) and make it much easier to pray the Rosary often. 

See more options here.

Connect

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

Need a Rosary to get started? Check out our Wallet Rosary Cards. It'll make sure you are never without the Rosary.

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And don't forget about our free Rosary Guide Download. Keep Praying!