-The Apostles Creed-

The first versions of this prayer predates the Bible and was created by the early church as a summary of what every Christian should believe. This was instrumental because most people were illiterate, and books were written by hand and were so expensive that only few people had them. Because it was common in the first centuries to debate what a Christian ought to believe. Memorizing and reciting this prayer when they gathered for mass helped early Christians honor and defend their faith. A lot of non-Catholics still pray this prayer in their congregations.

The original 15 mysteries follow Christ from: conception to birth. On to His sorrowful passion, death, and resurrection.

Monday and Saturday: Joyful Mysteries

• The Annunciation/ Conception of our Lord
• The Visitation of Mary to her Cousin Elizabeth (mother of John the Baptist)
• The Birth of Christ
• The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
• Finding Jesus at the Temple

Tuesday and Friday: Sorrowful Mysteries

• The Agony in the Garden
• The Flagellation
• Carrying of the Cross
• Crown of Thorns
• Crucifixion and Death

Wednesday and Sunday: Glorious Mysteries

• The Resurrection
• The Ascension of Christ into Heaven
• Descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost/ Birth of the Church
• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• (Revelations 12:1-5)
• Crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven

Thursday: Luminous Mysteries

Why pray the Luminous Mysteries that were added by John Paul II? In 2002 John Paul II added the Luminous mysteries. Inspired by God he added them to correspond to what is most under attack by our culture, which is Baptism, The sanctity of Marriage, Orthodox teaching, The Divinity of Christ/ The real presence of Jesus in the most Holy Eucharist (John 6: 35-66).

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