In 2002, something extraordinary happened. St. Pope John Paul II shared a special message with the world in his letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, introducing a magnificent revelation: the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary

After nearly 788 years of Catholics praying the rosary (when St. Dominic was asked by Mary to promote it), it is in our times, that Pope John Paul II (the third longest reigning Pope, after St. Peter), gave us this treasure of blessings.

All mysteries are as such illuminating, so what so special about these such that we call them luminous?

Not only do these mysteries highlight the work of Jesus, ”The Light of the World” – they also focus upon the very pillars of our faith, The 7 Sacraments, tapping into the treasures of Our Church’s strength.

A prime reason, this 2000 year old Catholic Church stands out amongst other churches, is our Sacraments and the deep call for the children of God to love, appreciate and participate in it, leading us faster and closer to our salvation!

So, what does sacraments have to do with illumination?

Sacraments are God’s power and grace illuminating our souls – helping it to literally glow in the dark; darkness caused by the surrounding evil. These mysteries serve as biblical references to the origins of the sacraments, revealing when and how they were instituted by Jesus.

References from the Life of Jesus in Scripture of all the 7 sacraments condensed in these 5 mysteries:

The 1st Luminous mystery: Baptism

The 2nd Luminous mystery: Matrimony

The 3^rd Luminous mystery: Reconciliation/Confession and Anointing of the sick

The 4^th Luminous mystery: Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Confirmation 

The 5^th Luminous mystery: Eucharist and Holy Orders. 

What about the sequence of these mysteries then? Why do they not follow the order of the church and from where does this sequence originate?

This is because these mysteries correspond to the Old Testament sequence of major events:

1st mystery – The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan: 

(Chronology of OT events): Due to sin, Adam and Eve broke away from God, but initially creation began with their identity as the children of the Father. 

Luke 3:38: “… Enosh was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God. “

(Chronology of Gospel events): God’s desire was to restore us to the family of God. The NT narratives start with Jesus’ baptism; when we participate with Him, in the sacrament of Baptism, thus He once again makes us Children of God. 

Secondly, He is the begotten Son of God and at His baptism, the Father pronounced Him as His Son. Therefore at our baptism, the Father pronounces us as His child.

Mark 1:11: “And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'”

2nd mystery – The Wedding at Cana: 

(Chronology of OT events): After their creation, Adam and Eve, were united in marriage through God (in Eden), but with sin entering their lives, Adam blamed Eve and God and there was strife in the family. Mankind then needed an upgrade of their marriage to a sacrament.

(Chronology of Gospel events): In Cana, Mary the new Eve “spiritually” points this need out in the couple (children of Adam and Eve). Jesus upgraded their marriage bond when He changed the water to wine (symbolizing Eucharistic wine) to solidify their marriage, pointing us to the sacrament of marriage which later came about.

3^rd mystery – The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God: 

(Chronology of OT events): Call to conversion – After this, we see Adam, Cain, men of Noah’s time, in Sodom & Gomorrah and thereafter had all sinned. 

Now, a great part of the Old Testament was dedicated to God calling Israel (through the prophets) to repent. In some accounts, especially in Moses time (but with other prophets too), God also performed healings and deliverance among the people. 

(Chronology of Gospel events): Likewise, the entire ministry of Jesus was calling the people to repent (and proclaiming forgiveness) not merely through sorrow for sin, but true repentance i.e. a change of mind/heart (by inscribing the law in their hearts) and performing healings of countless sick. Both of these point out to the sacraments of reconciliation and anointing of the sick.

Mark 1:14-15:”…Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!'”

Matthew 4:23-25: “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Ref: Repentance is further explained in the NT in the following manner: 

James 5:16: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed…

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), paragraph 1514: “The Anointing of the Sick ‘is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.'”

4th mystery – The Transfiguration of Jesus: 

(Chronology of OT events): God appeared to Moses and the children of Israel in a cloud in the wilderness and they saw His glory in the Spirit. 

Exodus 40:38 – So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.

(Chronology of Gospel events): Now the Glory of God in the Spirit appears in Mount Tabor, empowering Jesus to go through His sufferings. We too need to receive the sacrament of confirmation, to be anointed with the Holy Spirit to be empowered, to pass through trials, grow in virtues and glorify the Father – showing the world that we are His children.

5th mystery – The Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper:

(Chronology of OT events): It was at Mount Sinai, where God then gave instructions for sin (sacrifice) offerings to Moses, together with regulations for the priesthood (as priests were needed to offer the sacrifice). The Book of Leviticus contains these instructions.

(Chronology of Gospel events): In the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist, commanding his disciples to “do this in memory of Me,” thus establishing the sacrament of the priesthood to continue His sacrificial offering in the Eucharist. 

Preparing for the sacraments through the Luminous Mysteries..

The more we prayerfully feed on scripture references (of the accounts of the sacraments), the more God conditions our hearts to fully accept, revere and MOST importantly prepare for these Holy Sacraments – just like Mary did. 

She (more than others in her day) meditated on scripture, longing for the coming of the Messiah and because of this, was fully and perfectly prepared to be the first to receive Jesus and have communion with Him.

Isn’t if funny, that once again – she, the shining Morning Star, prepares us (her tiny stars) to glow with the sacraments and helps us revere it through the focal lense of the Rosary!

Scripture + Ejaculatory prayers.. One of the most effective prayers is the meditation or recital of Scripture, together with an ejaculatory prayer i.e. the Hail Mary (which in this case, is also scripture based).

What happened then in the New Testament in the Life of Jesus, i.e. His participation and involvement in all the sacraments, was meant to be repeated and imprinted, in every one of His Children, till the end of age. So though the historic Jesus was 2,000 years ago, we too share in the major spiritual events of His life – the sacraments, because we are His children and He promised never to leave us orphaned. Through the Holy Spirit, we have a share in all these gifts, including the gift of healing as He saw its need for all time.