First Joyful Mystery of Christ’s life: The Annunciation at Nazareth in Galilee.

In Nazareth, we see nestled inside the Church of the Annunciation, the small ancient cave-house where Mary lived in that tiny village. Here she received the messenger from God, the Lord of all the universe, revealing his desire to become flesh through her consent.

Second Joyful Mystery of Christ’s life: The Visitation of Mary with her cousin Elizabeth who was expecting John the Baptist

The picturesque town of Ein Karem is nestled in hill-country of Judea close to Jerusalem. Mary may have encountered Elizabeth at the well of her home within a vineyard, the remains of both of which are protected inside the lower lever of the two-story Church of the Visitation, on a hillside overlooking Ein Karem’s beautiful garden-filled valleys.

Third Joyful Mystery of Christ’s life: The Nativity of Jesus at Bethlehem

Innumerable caves dot the fields in and around the small but important town of Ancient Bethlehem. The one identified by first Christians as the place where Mary gave birth to Jesus lies secure within the 4th century Church of the Nativity, about 5 miles from Jerusalem.

Fourth Joyful Mystery of Christ’s life: The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem.

Pilgrims can still touch the first-century stone door frames of the ancient Hulda Gates that lead up the ancient Temple Mount at the time of Jesus. Mary and Joseph like ascended these stone steps with the infant Jesus when they met the wise Simeon and Anna who had been awaiting the Salvation of the Israelites.

Fifth Joyful Mystery of Christ’s life: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph

The ancient temple mount is recognized by the stunning golden Dome of the Rock that is part of the Al Aqsa Mosque, built where the temple of Jesus’ time once stood. The Western Wall of the temple is the main place of prayer for Jewish people today, and is where Bar and Bat mitzvas are still celebrated today, for children of the same age as when Jesus stayed in the temple

As we begin, bring to mind your own suffering, and those people in your life in anguish, as well as circumstances of pain, death and sorrow, and place them before the Lord in prayer, who transforms suffering and sin into grace and life.

First Luminous Mystery of Christ’s life: The Baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan by John the Baptist.

The site of Jesus’ baptism was identified by the first Christians at a bend in the Jordan river as it travels through the desert of Judea, where the ruins of a 4th century Church have been found. Right in this` river, pilgrims can enter the now small muddy flow of water close to where Jesus stood, and where the ancient Israelites entered into the promised land after the Exodus.

Second Luminous Mystery of Christ’s life: The Wedding at Cana in Galilee, where Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine.

Stone jars can be seen inside the small Church in the town of Cana, close to Nazareth. Such jars would have been the kind used at the time of Jesus to hold plain water for ritual washing – turned by the Lord into most excellent wine at the wedding banquet attended by his mother and apostles.

Third Luminous Mystery of Christ’s life: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God on the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

The topography where Jesus likely delivered the Sermon on the Mount is like a natural amphitheater, able to accommodate crowds of people able to hear his words. Most of the Sea of Galilee can be seen from the mountainside, inviting pilgrims to repent and turn their gaze Heavenward.

Fourth Luminous Mystery of Christ’s life: The Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, where Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John.

A solitary mountain popping up from the flat Jezreel valley near Nazareth is Tabor. Ruins of fortresses, monasteries and churches from different ages are scattered over the mountaintop. On the Eastern summit offering views over lower Galilee, a remarkable Church commemorates the Transfiguration, with chapels dedicated to Elijah and Moses who spoke with Jesus during his transfiguration.

Fifth Luminous Mystery of Christ’s life: The Institution of the Eucharist in Jerusalem, in the Upper Room, where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples.

Located right outside the Old City gates of Jerusalem on Mt Zion, vestiges of a Franciscan convent and a vaulted room erected by the Crusaders, houses the ‘Upper Room’, the likely location where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his Apostles.