In his Apostolic Letter on the "Rosary of the Virgin Mary" (Rosarium Virginis Mariae), published on Oct. 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II gave us five new mysteries of the Rosary, the Mysteries of Light, or the Luminous Mysteries. He explained in paragraph 19:

In the course of those mysteries we contemplate important aspects of the person of Christ as the definitive revelation of God. Declared the beloved Son of the Father at the Baptism in the Jordan, Christ is the one who announces the coming of the Kingdom, bears witness to it in his works and proclaims its demands. It is during the years of his public ministry that the mystery of Christ is most evidently a mystery of light: "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:5).

Knowing that He would soon ascend to heaven, Jesus passed these mysteries onto us (cf. Matthew 5:14-16). He said:

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."

The pope, in quoting Blessed Bartolo Longo (see para. 15), inspires us to remember as we pray through the mysteries of the life of Christ that the Rosary should transform us, conforming us more into the likeness of Christ. The mysteries of the Rosary describe our own spiritual journey:

"Just as two friends, frequently in each other's company, tend to develop similar habits, so too, by holding familiar converse with Jesus and the Blessed Virgin, by meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary and by living the same life in Holy Communion, we can become, to the extent of our lowliness, similar to them and can learn from these supreme models a life of humility, poverty, hiddenness, patience and perfection". (I Quindici Sabati del Santissimo Rosario, 27th ed., Pompei, 1916, 27.)

Therefore, this Rosary for the Conversion of the World, provided by Good News Ministries, includes prayers and scriptures that will lead us on the journey of holiness, burning out our impurities with the flame of Christ so that He shines more brightly within us. The conversion of the world occurs one person at a time, beginning with each one of us who take this prayer seriously. As the light of Christ within us glows brighter, the darkness in the world around us diminishes. Gradually, our world is consumed by Christ. It starts with us and spreads. As we are converted by meditating on and learning from the life of Christ, so too is the world converted.

Please also pray this Rosary to intercede for others, significantly for those you know who need the light of Christ to drive out their darkness, and likewise for the whole world. As Pope John Paul II wrote in his apostolic letter:

"The Church has always attributed particular efficacy to this prayer, entrusting to the Rosary ... the most difficult problems. At times when Christianity itself seemed under threat, its deliverance was attributed to the power of this prayer, and Our Lady of the Rosary was acclaimed as the one whose intercession brought salvation." (para. 39)

In this Cyber-Rosary, when it's time to pray on a rosary bead, place your mouse cursor over the bead and it will change from blue to gold. (You can try it here.)

Also do this with the images next to the "Our Father", "Glory Be", and "Oh My Jesus" prayers.

This is a multi-media presentation of the Rosary, which includes music to help slow us down and enter us into comtemplative meditation.

Photos used are © Terry Modica from the Holy Land.

You may say this Rosary in litany with Terry, whom you might know through her Daily Reflections. Just click on the link to start your media player; Terry will pray the first half, then you will finish the prayer.

When you see this, click on it for music; do not move on until it finishes playing:

Let us begin. Start by announcing your intentions for this Rosary today:

In the name of the savior of the world, Jesus Christ, and trusting in the help of Mary, our mystical mother, teacher and guide, I pray this Rosary using the Mysteries of Light for my continued conversion and for the conversion of the whole world, and to intercede for _______. Joining with the Communion of Saints, I have full confidence in this prayer, because:

We believe
in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into Heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father almighty.
From thence He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

For the gift of Faith to increase in me and in the whole world:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

For the gift of Hope to increase in me and in the whole world:
Hail Mary, full of grace...

For the gift of Love to increase in me and in the whole world:
Hail Mary, full of grace...

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen!

Together we pray: Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Your Mercy.

(Note: This song is an excerpt from the "Hail Mary" by Elyse O'Kane, used by permission, and can be enjoyed in its entirety by ordering her CD "With All My Heart".)

Let us now go to
The First Luminous Mystery