The Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation

"And the angel said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.' And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her." (1)

Hail Mary, Queen of Purity,
Woven with grace on Spirit's loom,
Your soul, veiled with obscurity,
Wrought Word Made Flesh within your womb.


The Visitation

"In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!'…And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home." (2)

Your fiat to the Father's will
Led your heart to pay careful heed:
You bore your Son with haste uphill,
To serve your cousin in her need.


The Birth of Our Lord

"And the angel said to them, 'Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!'" (3)

The Word Made Flesh became our kin;
Your womb bore our salvation.
To hail our Victor over sin,
Earth joined heaven's ovation.


The Presentation

"And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.'" (4)

Your Son would be our offering --
The Prince of Peace would pay the price;
And you would share His suffering --
Two hearts pierced in the sacrifice.


The Finding Of Jesus In The Temple

" After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, 'Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.' And he said to them, 'How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?'" (5)

Where had your Son gone from your side?
For three days, He was not in sight.
Until the Spirit came as guide,
Your soul endured its darkest night.

(c) Paul Buis, 2002

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