Luminous Mysteries

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Liturgy and Sacraments

The Luminous Mysteries: The Institution of the Eucharist and an Excellent Choice

Joe Paprocki

We continue our reflections on the Luminous Mysteries. Today, we focus on the fifth and final Mystery of Light, which is the Institution of the Eucharist. In this mystery, we recall how Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples, sharing bread and wine with them and establishing the Sacrament of the Eucharist. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and […]

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Scripture

The Luminous Mysteries: The Transfiguration and Our Desire for the More

Joe Paprocki

We continue our series of reflections on the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. Today, we reflect on the fourth Mystery of Light: the Transfiguration of Jesus. In the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–9), we, along with Peter, James, and John, get a glimpse of Jesus revealed in all his glory—a glimpse of what awaits at his Resurrection. Each of us is walking around with a vision of a hoped-for reality—an alternate reality—for ourselves, for those […]

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Scripture

The Luminous Mysteries: The Proclamation of the Kingdom and Another Way of Being Human

Joe Paprocki

We continue our reflections on the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary as we explore the Third Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. The concept of the kingdom of God (also referred to as the kingdom of heaven or the reign of God) is the very heart and soul of Jesus’ message. It is what Jesus is all about. It is who Jesus is. If Jesus were running a campaign for public office, his […]

Wedding Feast at Cana - Perry Mastrovito/Getty Images - rosary icon by bortonia/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Scripture

The Luminous Mysteries: The Wedding at Cana and a Banquet Mentality

Joe Paprocki

We continue our reflections on the Luminous Mysteries. Today, we focus on the second Mystery of Light, which is the Wedding Feast at Cana. Perhaps one of the most striking images of God’s generosity and what I like to call a “banquet mentality” can be found in the story of Jesus’s first miracle at the wedding at Cana (John 2:1–11). Jesus, his mother, and his disciples were attending a wedding feast in Cana when the […]

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Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit

The Luminous Mysteries: The Baptism of Jesus and How God Entered the Muck

Joe Paprocki

As we enter into the last months of Ordinary Time, let’s reflect on the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary over the next few weeks. In 2002, St. Pope John Paul II proposed a fourth set of mysteries—the Mysteries of Light, or Luminous Mysteries, which cover events in the life of Jesus and Mary during the Lord’s public ministry. The First Luminous Mystery is the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, an event which was […]

Catechists in Action
Catechists in Action

Catechists in Action: How Would You React to the Transfiguration?

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, eighth-grade catechist Chris Brett discusses that Sunday’s Gospel reading of the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Watch for the following: Chris reminds them that the Transfiguration is one of the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary Chris asks the young people what they think the Apostles were thinking and what they themselves would have thought if they were present at the Transfiguration. Chris has his aide record their […]