One of my favourite reflection on the rosary is Through the Rosary with Fra Angelico by Domenico Marcucci. Although this is an art booklet, it is not the illustrations that I like so much, although they are beautiful, but the way in which the Hail Mary is prayed. Following the name of Jesus in each Hail Mary, a reflective phrase is added. These reflective phrases correspond with the current mystery, and are a great help in staying focused on the current mystery. When I pray the rosary without this booklet, I often pray the Hail Mary this way, spontaneously making up my own reflections.

The only fault with this booklet is that it is now outdated because of the introduction of the Luminous Mysteries. I have been making up my own reflections for the Luminous Mysteries, but feel that it would be better that I write these reflection down rather than spontaneously come up with them. Since I am writing them down, I thought you might like to use them as well, and so I present them here for you.

I only present the Luminous Mysteries and the Fifth Joyful Mystery, so you will have to buy the booklet for the others (it's very inexpensive). The reason I redo the Fifth Joyful Mystery is because the fist two reflections deal with this mystery and the rest all deal with the Luminous Mysteries. Therefore eight new reflection are needed for this mystery.

To keep with the theme of this booklet, I have found some more art by Fra Angelico for the Luminous Mysteries. I couldn't find a painting of the wedding at Cana by Fra Angelico, so I have chosen one by Duccio di Buoninsegna.

Through the Mysteries of Light with Giotto and Fra Angelico

Since I wrote these reflections for the Luminous Mysteries, Alba House had released another booklet called Through the Mysteries of Light with Giotto and Fra Angelico to supplement the original booklet. Alba House hopes to eventually marry the two.

There is still one fault with these two booklets: eight of the reflections for the Fifth Joyful Mystery deal with the Luminous Mysteries. I would think that when Alba House marries these two booklets, this one fault will be corrected. In the mean time, the reflection I've written for the Fifth Joyful Mystery can be used.

An Audio Version of these Booklets

I've probable prayed more Rosaries while driving than at any other time. Needless to say, it would be very dangerous to use these booklets while one is driving. For this reason I've recorded these two booklets. What you hear when you open this page is the First Joyful Mystery, although the sound quality is better on the downloaded files. I've followed these two booklets to the letter, with the exception of my own reflections for the Fifth Joyful Mystery.

My recording of these two booklets takes up 28 MP3 files, which can be divided into two CDs. I also have two PDF files for the CD covers.

Fra Angelico.zip (102.3 MB)

Through The Rosary With Fra Angelico

FIFTH JOYFUL MYSTERY

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The child Jesus remained three days in the Temple in Jerusalem, unknown to Joseph and Mary, to witness to them that he had come into the world to do the will of his heavenly Father.

Biblical Citation

After they had completed the three days of the feast, and were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. After three days they found him in the Temple, seated in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. On seeing him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him. "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." To which he replied, "But why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I had to be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:43, 46, 48-49)

Prayer Intentions

• For vocations.
• For understanding between parents and their children.

Our Father . . .

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS ...

1. . . . who played with his childhood friends.
2. . . . who lived a life of hard work at Nazareth.
3. . . . who attend the feast of Passover in Jerusalem with you and Joseph.
4. . . . who remained in Jerusalem without you knowing.
5. . . . whose loss caused you to worry.
6. . . . whose answers astounded the teachers of the law.
7. . . . who was found in the Temple among the teachers.
8. . . . who was obedient to you and Joseph.
9. . . . whose childhood you stored up in your heart.
10. . . . who increased in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be . . . O my Jesus . . .

FIRST LUMINOUS MYSTERY

The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan

To fulfill all righteousness, Jesus came to John and was baptized in the Jordan.

Biblical Citation

It was at this time that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. No sooner had he come up out of the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; my favor rest on you." (Mark 1:9-11)

Prayer Intentions

• For those seeking initiation into the Church.
• For those without potable drinking water.

Our Father . . .

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS ...

1. . . . to whom John was a forerunner.
2. . . . who fulfilled all that righteousness demands.
3. . . . who was baptized by John in the Jordan.
4. . . . upon whom the Holy Spirit descended like a dove.
5. . . . who is the Beloved, on whom God's favor rests.
6. . . . the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
7. . . . who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
8. . . . into whose death and resurrection we are baptized.
9. . . . who was tempted by Satan in the desert.
10. . . . whom the angels ministered to in the desert.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be . . . O my Jesus . . .

SECOND LUMINOUS MYSTERY

The Self-Manifestation at the Wedding at Cana

At the request of his mother, Jesus preformed his first miracle, even though his time had not yet come.

Biblical Citation

When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." Jesus said, "Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water," and they filled them to the brim. "Draw some out now," he told them, "and take it to the steward." They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. (John 2:3-5,7-9)

Prayer Intentions

• That all marriages be recognized as holy and sacramental.
• That all women receive dignity and respect.

Our Father . . .

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS ...

1. . . . who attended the wedding with you and his disciples.
2. . . . who you turned to when they ran out of wine.
3. . . . who you knew could miraculously provide more wine.
4. . . . whose hour had not yet come.
5. . . . who was obedient to you.
6. . . . who told the servants to fill the jars with water.
7. . . . who changed the water into wine.
8. . . . who blesses all marriages.
9. . . . who is the bridegroom.
10. . . . whose bride is the Church.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be . . . O my Jesus . . .

THIRD LUMINOUS MYSTERY

The Proclamation of the Kingdom

Jesus came bring the gospel to the poor, healing the contrite, proclaiming liberty to the captives, giving sight to the blind, and setting the downtrodden free.

Biblical Citation

Jesus began his preaching with the message, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand." (Matthew 4:17)
"It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:12-13)
"Go away and don't sin any more." (John 8:11)

Prayer Intentions

• That all sinners repent.
• That all Christian fulfill their call to proclaim of the Kingdom of God.

Our Father . . .

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS ...

1. . . . who went about preaching the reign of God.
2. . . . who ushered in the kingdom of heaven.
3. . . . who healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead.
4. . . . who proclaimed liberty to the captives.
5. . . . who brought glad tidings to the poor.
6. . . . who taught with authority.
7. . . . who forgave sins.
8. . . . who befriended tax collectors and prostitutes.
9. . . . who called Simon and Andrew to be a fishers of men.
10. . . . who chose the twelve apostles.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be . . . O my Jesus . . .

FOURTH LUMINOUS MYSTERY

The Transfiguration

In the sight of Peter, James, and John, Jesus was transfigured, and spoke with Elijah and Moses. They fell in fear at the voice of the Father, "This is my Son the Beloved. Listen to him."

Biblical Citation

Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, "This is my Son the Beloved. Listen to him." (Mark 9:2-4,7)

Prayer Intentions

• For the Jewish people.
• For those that have left the Church.

Our Father . . .

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS ...

1. . . . who took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain.
2. . . . who was transfigured on the Mount.
3. . . . whose face shone like the sun.
4. . . . whose clothes became dazzlingly white.
5. . . . who spoke with Moses and Elijah.
6. . . . whose Father spoke from the cloud.
7. . . . the Son of God.
8. . . . the Beloved.
9. . . . who enjoys God's favor.
10. . . . who we are to listen to.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be . . . O my Jesus . . .

FIFTH LUMINOUS MYSTERY

The Institution of the Eucharist

Jesus instituted the Eucharist so that he could be physically with us until he comes again in glory.

Biblical Citation

Now as they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to the disciples. "Take it and eat"; he said, "this is my body." Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks he gave it to them. "Drink all of you from this," he said, "for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:26-28)

Prayer Intentions

• That all Christian profess the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
• For fulfilled vocations to the priesthood.

Our Father . . .

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS ...

1. . . . who celebrated the Passover with the apostles.
2. . . . who washed the feet of the apostles.
3. . . . who knew that Judas would betray him.
4. . . . who knew that Peter would deny him three times.
5. . . . who promised to send the Advocate to the apostles.
6. . . . who instituted the Eucharist.
7. . . . who gives us his body to eat.
8. . . . who gives us his blood to drink.
9. . . . who is present in the tabernacle.
10. . . . who is present in those that receive him.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be . . . O my Jesus . . .