The new mysteries of the Rosary
On October 16, 2002, the apostolic letter of Pope John Paul II “Rosarium Virginis Mariae” (“The Rosary of the Virgin Mary”) was presented. The highlight was the inclusion of five new mysteries in the Rosary.
The Pope, when explaining this decision in the document, defines the Rosary as a “compendium of the Gospel” oriented “to the contemplation of the face of Christ” with the eyes of Mary through the repetition of the “Hail Mary”.
Now, he notes, in the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary (five mysteries are contemplated each day, praying ten Hail Marys in each one) until now, decisive moments in the life of Christ were missing.
For this reason, he considers “an incorporation opportune that, although it is left to the free consideration of individuals and the community, allows them to also contemplate the mysteries of Christ’s public life from Baptism to Passion”.
He explains that he calls them “mysteries of light” (the others were “mysteries of sorrow”, “mysteries of joy”, and “mysteries of glory”), since in his public life, Christ manifests himself as a “mystery of light”: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5).
John Paul II presents the statement of each of the five “luminous mysteries” about the public life of Jesus:
1. The Baptism in the Jordan;
2. The Self-revelation of Jesus at the wedding of Cana;
3. The announcement of the Kingdom of God inviting conversion;
4. The Transfiguration;
5. The institution of the Eucharist.
The apostolic letter then explains the mystery that the Christian contemplates in each of these passages of the public life of Jesus.
“Mystery of light is above all the Baptism in the Jordan – he notes -. In him, while Christ, as an innocent who becomes “sin” for us (cf. 2 Cor 5, 21), enters the water of the river, heaven opens and the voice of the Father proclaims him beloved Son (cf. Mt 3, 17 par.), and the Spirit descends on him to invest him with the mission that awaits him».
“Mystery of light – adds the letter – is the beginning of the signs in Cana (cf. Jn 2, 1-12), when Christ, transforming water into wine, opens the hearts of the disciples to faith thanks to the intervention of Mary, the first believer».
«Mystery of light is the preaching with which Jesus announces the arrival of the Kingdom of God and invites conversion (cf. Mk 1, 15), forgiving the sins of those who approach Him with humble faith (cf. Mk 2. 3-13; Lk 47-48), thus initiating the ministry of mercy that He will continue to exercise until the end of the world, especially through the sacrament of Reconciliation entrusted to the Church”, he continues to clarify.
“The quintessential mystery of light is the Transfiguration – he underlines when explaining the fourth added mystery – which according to tradition took place on Mount Tabor. The glory of Divinity shines on the face of Christ, while the Father accredits him before the ecstatic apostles so that they “hear” him».
«Mystery of light is, finally, the institution of the Eucharist, in which Christ becomes nourishment with his Body and Blood under the species of bread and wine, bearing witness to his love for humanity “to the extreme”. (Jn13, 1) and for whose salvation he will offer himself as a sacrifice».
The Pope suggests – respecting the freedom of the believer in this field – that the “luminous mysteries” be contemplated on Thursday. He proposes, then, that on Monday and Saturday Christians from now on pray the “joyful mysteries”; on Tuesday and Friday the “painful” ones; on Wednesday, and on Sunday the “glorious.”
John Paul II has proclaimed the period from October 2002 to October 2003, the Year of the Rosary. He clarified that this convocation celebrates three significant moments: the 25th anniversary of his pontificate; the 120th anniversary of Leo XIII’s encyclical “Supremi apostolatus officio” which began a series of documents on the Rosary; and the 2000 Holy Year appendix.
The Holy Father concluded by indicating that the Rosary is a prayer “so easy and, at the same time, so rich, that it truly deserves to be recovered by the Christian Community.” And he ended by asking us with his usual solicitude and strength: “May this appeal of mine not be in vain!” Dear friends of : Let’s not let him down!
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