"Rosary Meditations:
A Bouquet of Roses for Our Lady"

by John P. Gross

Travel writer and co-author with wife, Donna, of
Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation

Author of
Achieving Weight Loss through the Prayers
of the Divine Office of the Virgin Mary

Remember me in your prayers!

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To read or download the mysteries for each day, click on the appropriate link:
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Sorrowful Mysteries

Intentions
Apostles Creed
1 Our Father
3 Hail Marys
Glory be
Fátima Prayer

First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden

1 Our Father
10 Hail Marys

And departing, he went out, according to his custom, to the Mount of Olives. And his disciples also followed him. And when he had arrived at the place, he said to them: “Pray, lest you enter into temptation.” And he was separated from them by about a stone’s throw. (Luke 22:39-41)
And kneeling down, he prayed, saying: “Father, if you are willing, take this chalice away from me. Yet truly, let not my will, but yours, be done.” Then an Angel appeared to him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony, he prayed more intensely; and so his sweat became like drops of blood, running down to the ground. (Luke 22:42-44)
And when he had risen up from prayer and had gone to his disciples, he found them sleeping out of sorrow. And he said to them: “Why are you sleeping? Rise up, pray, lest you enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:45-46)
Again, a second time, he went and prayed. And again, he went and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And leaving them behind, again he went and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. (Matthew 26:42-44)
Then he approached his disciples and said to them: “Sleep now and rest. Behold, the hour has drawn near, and the Son of man will be delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise up; let us go. Behold, he who will betray me draws near.” (Matthew 26:45-46)
While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived, and with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, sent from the leaders of the priests and the elders of the people. And he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying: “Whomever I will kiss, it is he. Take hold of him.” And quickly drawing close to Jesus, he said, “Hail, Master.” And he kissed him. And Jesus said to him, “Friend, for what purpose have you come?” (Matthew 26:47-50)
And so Jesus, knowing all that was about to happen to him, advanced and said to them, “Who are you seeking?” They answered him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Then, when he said to them, “I am he,” they moved back and fell to the ground. (John 18:4-7)
Then again he questioned them: “Who are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus responded: “I told you that I am he. Therefore, if you are seeking me, permit these others to go away.” This was so that the word might be fulfilled, which he said, “Of those whom you have given to me, I have not lost any of them.” (John 18:8-9)
Then those who were around him, realizing what was about to happen, said to him: “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. Then Jesus said to him: “Put your sword back in its place. For all who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot ask my Father, so that he would give me, even now, more than twelve legions of Angels? How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must be so?” And when he had touched his ear, he healed him. (Luke 22:49-51, 22:5, 26:52-54)
Then Jesus said to the leaders of the priests, and the magistrates of the temple, and the elders, who had come to him: “Have you gone out, as if against a thief, with swords and clubs? When I was with you each day in the temple, you did not extend your hands against me. But this is your hour and that of the power of darkness.” And apprehending him, they led him to the house of the high priest. (Luke 22:52-54)

Glory be
Fátima Prayer

Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar

1 Our Father
10 Hail Marys

Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the praetorium. Now it was morning, and so they did not enter into the praetorium, so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. Therefore, Pilate went outside to them, and he said, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?” (John 18:28-29)
They responded and said to him, “If he were not an evil-doer, we would not have handed him over you.” Therefore, Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your own law.” Then the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to execute anyone.” This was so that the word of Jesus would be fulfilled, which he spoke signifying what kind of death he would die. (John 18:30-32)
Then Pilate entered the praetorium again, and he called Jesus and said to him, “You are the king of the Jews?” Jesus responded, “Are you saying this of yourself, or have others spoken to you about me?” Pilate responded: “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the high priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” (John 18:33-35)
Jesus responded: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my ministers would certainly strive so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not now from here.” (John 18:36)
And so Pilate said to him, “You are a king, then?” Jesus answered, “You are saying that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world: so that I may offer testimony to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” (John 18:37-38)
Now on the feast day, he was accustomed to release to them one of the prisoners, whomever they requested. But there was one called Barabbas, who had committed murder in the sedition, who was confined with those of the sedition. And when the crowd had ascended, they began to petition him to do as he always did for them. (Mark 15:6-8)
But Pilate answered them and said, “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” For he knew that it was out of envy that the leaders of the priests had betrayed him. Then the chief priests incited the crowd, so that he would release Barabbas to them instead. (Mark 15:9-11)
But Pilate, responding again, said to them: “Then what do you want me to do with the king of the Jews?” But again they cried out, “Crucify him.” Yet truly, Pilate said to them: “Why? What evil has he done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify him.” Then Pilate, wishing to satisfy the people, released Barabbas to them, and he delivered Jesus, having severely scourged him, to be crucified. (Mark 15:12-15)
From the sole of the foot, even to the top of the head, there is no soundness within. Wounds and bruises and swelling sores: these are not bandaged, nor treated with medicine, nor soothed with oil. (Isaiah 1:6)
Truly, he has taken away our weaknesses, and he himself has carried our sorrows. And we thought of him as if he were a leper, or as if he had been struck by God and humiliated. But he himself was wounded because of our iniquities. He was bruised because of our wickedness. The discipline of our peace was upon him. And by his wounds, we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

Glory be
Fátima Prayer

Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns

1 Our Father
10 Hail Marys

Then the soldiers of the procurator, taking Jesus up to the praetorium, gathered the entire cohort around him. And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak around him. (Matthew 27:27-28)
And plaiting a crown of thorns, they placed it on his head, with a reed in his right hand. And genuflecting before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews.” And after they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, and clothed him with his own garments, and they led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:29, 31)
So then, why is your garment red, and why are your vestments like the ones of those who tread the winepress? I have trod the winepress alone. And among the nations, there is no man beside me. (Isaiah 63:2-3)
He promises that he has the knowledge of God and he calls himself the son of God. Let us see, then, if his words are true, and let us test what will happen to him, and then we will know what his end will be. For if he is the true son of God, he will receive him and deliver him from the hands of his adversaries. (Wisdom 2:13, 17-18)
Let us examine him with insult and torture, that we may know his reverence and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a most shameful death, for, according to his own words, God will care for him.” (Wisdom 2:19-20)
I have given my body to those who strike me, and my cheeks to those who plucked them. I have not averted my face from those who rebuked me and who spit on me. (Isaiah 50:6)
I have become a disgrace among all my enemies, and even more so to my neighbors, and a dread to my acquaintances. Those who catch sight of me, flee away from me. (Psalms: 30:12)
I have become forgotten, like one dead to the heart. I have become like a damaged utensil. For I have heard the harsh criticism of many who linger in the area. While assembled together against me in that place, they deliberated on how to take away my life. (Psalms 30:13-14)
Those who hate me without cause have been multiplied beyond the hairs of my head. My enemies, who persecuted me unjustly, have been strengthened. (Psalms 68:5)
Then Jesus took the twelve aside, and he said to them: “Behold, we are ascending to Jerusalem, and everything shall be completed which was written by the prophets about the Son of man. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles, and he will be mocked and scourged and spit upon. And after they have scourged him, they will kill him. And on the third day, he will rise again.” (Luke 18:31-33)

Glory be
Fátima Prayer

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross

1 Our Father
10 Hail Marys

And as they were leading him away, they apprehended a certain one, Simon of Cyrene, as he was returning from the countryside. And they imposed the cross on him to carry after Jesus. (Luke 23:26)
Then a great crowd of people followed him, with women who were mourning and lamenting him. But Jesus, turning to them, said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep over me. Instead, weep over yourselves and over your children. (Luke 23:27-28)
For behold, the days will arrive in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the breasts that have not nursed.’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall over us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do these things with green wood, what will be done with the dry?” (Luke 23:29-31)
We have all gone astray like sheep; each one has turned aside to his own way. And the Lord has placed all our iniquity upon him. (Isaiah 53:46)
He was offered up, because it was his own will. And he did not open his mouth. He will be led like a sheep to the slaughter. And he will be mute like a lamb before his shearer. For he will not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)
Because his soul has labored, he will see and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my just servant will himself justify many, and he himself will carry their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11)
Let us gaze upon Jesus, as the Author and the completion of our faith, who, having joy laid out before him, endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and who now sits at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
I have become miserable, and I have been bent down, even to the end. I have walked with contrition all day long. For my loins have been filled with illusions, and there is no health in my flesh. I have been afflicted and greatly humbled. I bellowed from the groaning of my heart. (Psalms 37:7-9)
And calling together the crowd with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone chooses to follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever will have chosen to save his life, will lose it. But whoever will have lost his life, for my sake and for the Gospel, shall save it. (Mark 8:34-35)
And whoever does not take up his cross, and follow me is not worthy of me. She is a tree of life to those who overtake her, and he who shall take hold of her is blessed. (Matthew 10:38; Proverbs 3:18)

Glory be
Fátima Prayer

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion

1 Our Father
10 Hail Marys

And they arrived at the place which is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary. And they gave him wine to drink, mixed with gall. And when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it. Then, after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots, in order to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying: “They divided my garments among them, and over my vestment they cast lots.” And sitting down, they observed him. (Matthew 27:33-36)
And standing beside the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, and Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. Therefore, when Jesus had seen his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.” Next, he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother.” And from that hour, the disciple accepted her as his own. (John 19:25-27)
And they set his accusation above his head, written as: THIS IS JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS. Then two robbers were crucified with him: one on the right and one on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. For they know not what they do.” But those passing by blasphemed him, shaking their heads, and saying: “Ah, so you would destroy the temple of God and in three days rebuild it! Save your own self. If you are the Son of God, descend from the cross.” (Matthew 27:37-40)
And similarly, the leaders of the priests, with the scribes and the elders, mocking him, said: “He saved others; he cannot save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him descend now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; so now, let God free him, if he wills him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” (Matthew 27:41-43)
And one of those robbers who were hanging blasphemed him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.” But the other responded by rebuking him, saying: “Do you have no fear of God, since you are under the same condemnation? And indeed, it is just for us. For we are receiving what our deeds deserve. But truly, this one has done nothing wrong.” And he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Amen I say to you, this day you shall be with me in Paradise.” (Luke: 23:39-43)
Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over the entire earth, even until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Then certain ones who were standing and listening there said, “This man calls upon Elijah.” (Matthew 27:45-47)
And one of them, running quickly, took a sponge and filled it with vinegar, and he set it on a reed and he gave it to him to drink. Yet truly, the others said, “Wait. Let us see whether Elijah will come to free him.” Then Jesus, when he had received the vinegar, said: “It is consummated.” And bowing down his head, he surrendered his spirit. (Matthew 27:48-49; John 19:30)
And behold, the veil of the temple was torn into two parts, from top to bottom. And the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split apart. And the tombs were opened. And many bodies of the saints, which had been sleeping, arose. Now the centurion and those who were with him, guarding Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the things that were done, were very fearful, saying: “Truly, this was the Son of God.” (Matthew: 27:51-54)
Then the Jews, because it was the preparation day, so that the bodies would not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a great day), they petitioned Pilate in order that their legs might be broken, and they might be taken away. Therefore, the soldiers approached, and, indeed, they broke the legs of the first one, and of the other who was crucified with him. But after they had approached Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers opened his side with a lance, and immediately there went out blood and water. (John 19:31-34)
Then, when evening had arrived, a certain wealthy man from Arimathea, named Joseph, arrived, who himself was also a disciple of Jesus. This man approached Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered the body to be released. And Joseph, taking the body, wrapped it in a clean finely-woven linen cloth, and he placed it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out of a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and he went away. (Matthew 27:57-60)

Glory be
Fátima Prayer

The book is absolutely free to download and reproduce. All I require is that you reproduce it in its entirety with the copyright notice intact. I created it as one file that you can print yourself or save to a CD and take to your local office supply store for printing.

Copyright © 2009 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact. This book is not for sale, but is offered to the public free of charge in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the glory of God.

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