Our Lady in the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

I have found that in times of stress or in times of prayer when I am lost, I look to Our Lady in the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. It occurred to me one day that these mysteries clearly show Mary’s path in her vocation from the very start; and through the rest of the Mysteries of the Rosary show that we too can live out our vocations and be lifted to heaven with Christ by saying “yes” just as our Blessed Mother. I want to share some reflections on these Joyful Mysteries so that if anyone reading this feels called to a vocation (especially to the priesthood or religious life) that they may feel more confident in answering that call just as Mary did. I want to highlight three of the Five Joyful Mysteries: The Annunciation, The Visitation, and the Finding of the Child Jesus in the temple.

Recently I heard in a conference that Mary, just like all of us was most likely worried and scared to answer this call when she first heard it. This Jewish girl, who was raised in prayer and tradition, certainly knew that the savior was to be born into this world by a virgin; in both Isaiah and the Gospel of Matthew we read this prophesy, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” (Isaiah 7:14). Further, to find out that she was to be that woman, at around fourteen years old must have been more than a shock. In the Annunciation I see that with grace and through prayer I can trust that my everyday ‘yes’ can be someday as humble as Our Lady’s.

The Second Joyful Mystery is The Visitation. This is one of my favorite mysteries because of the fruit of this mystery, which is Joy in Friendship. I feel that we all can relate to this mystery in every vocation, because, without our friends we wouldn’t be able to push through the scary and stressful times. I can speak with confidence that friendship is something that I am very thankful for in the seminary. St. Elisabeth was Mary’s cousin, but also her friend. We can see that without hesitation, Mary went to visit Elisabeth when she found out about her pregnancy; the joy shared between the two women was a result of Christ’s presence. Last semester I had severe tendonitis, if it wasn’t for my brother seminarians driving me to class, reminding me to ice my ankle, and making sure I didn’t overdue myself, I would not have been able to get through midterms. I want to remember those friends who have pushed us to say yes to our vocations, who have encouraged us, and who have had joy in watching us grow in God’s plan for us and to return that same feeling of joy to them.

The Fifth Joyful Mystery is the finding of the Child Jesus in the temple. This is my favorite mystery in the Joyful Mysteries because of its fruit, that is, joy in finding Jesus. I want to emphasize this fruit, because each vocation is chosen and strengthened by Christ, but to find Joy in one’s vocation is important, without joy it is not a vocation. To me, a vocation has to have Joy in finding Christ in bad times just as he should be the happiness and warmth in the good times. A vocation is a call, a choosing from God to do his work. Finding Joy is the flame of a vocation, it pulls us into Christ’s love.

I want to thank all of you for taking the time to read my thoughts, I hope and pray that these reflections will encourage all who are discerning their vocation to turn to Our Blessed Mother through praying the rosary. My prayers are with you all.

God bless the Diocese of Camden with many vocations!