The Mysteries of Light

The Mysteries of Light

Fr Pat Collins C.M, a Vincentian from All Hallows College introduces his series on the new mysteries of the Rosary which the Pope has brought out to celebrate the year of the Rosary

It is hard to believe, but John Paul II was elected Pope 25 years ago. We know from his visits to Marian shrines and his frequent references to our Lady, that he has a strong devotion to the mother of God. I have often wondered whether the intensity of his devotion was due, in part at least, to the fact that his own earthly mother died when he was nine years old. He admits that he has no clear memory of her. So it isn't all that surprising to find that John Paul decided to celebrate his silver jubilee, by writing an encyclical entitled The Rosary of the Virgin Mary.

He says that he had a number of motives for doing this. Firstly, the Rosary has always been one of his favourite prayers. Secondly, he believes that the Rosary is essentially a contemplative prayer form, which focuses with Mary on the face of Christ. Thirdly, he wants to revitalize this traditional method of praying in such a way that many Catholics will begin to use it again.

Highlighting the Public Ministry of Jesus

What has really caught people's attention is the fact that John Paul has added five new "mysteries of light"" to the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries, with which we are familiar. He makes the point that the fifteen decades, we already have, make no mention of the public ministry of Jesus. Our Lord referred to himself as "the light of the world" Jn 8:12, and so he was. The light of God's divine glory dwelt within him. That glory was manifested through the events of his public life. Therefore, the Pope goes on to suggest that five mysteries of light could be newly added to the Rosary. He explains: "I think that the following can be fittingly singled out: (1) his Baptism in the Jordan, (2) his self-manifestation at Cana, (3) his proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with his call to conversion, (4) his Transfiguration, and finally, (5) his institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery.

Speaking about the new decades, Pope John Paul explains: "Each of these mysteries is a revelation of the Kingdom now present in the very person of Jesus." He proposes that the joyful mysteries could be recited on Mondays and Saturdays; the sorrowful mysteries on Tuesdays and Fridays; the glorious mysteries on Wednesdays and Sundays; while the mysteries of light would be recited on Thursdays. The Pontiff makes many points about the Rosary in general, and the new mysteries in particular. I will mention just three of them.

Christ is our Light

Firstly, John Paul points out that, with the exception of the miracle at the marriage feast of Cana, "the presence of Mary remains in the background" in the mysteries of light. However, he explains that: "the great maternal counsel which Mary addresses to the Church of every age:"Do whatever he tells you" Jn 2:5, is a fitting introduction to the words and signs of Christ's public ministry, and it forms the Marian foundation of all the mysteries of light."

Secondly, the Pope observes: "Anyone who contemplates Christ through the various stages of his life cannot fail to perceive in him the truth about man." This echoes a point he has made repeatedly in a number of his writings. For example, in Veritatis Splendor he wrote: The man who wishes to understand himself thoroughly.... must so to speak, enter Christ with all his own self; he must 'appropriate' and assimilate the whole of the reality of the Incarnation and Redemption in order to find himself." By saying the Rosary, which is "a compendium of the Gospel," one has an opportunity to grow in such Christian self-awareness.

The mystery of Christ

A Rosary Thirdly, the Pope acknowledges that: "there are some who fear that the Rosary is somehow un-ecumenical because of its distinctly Marian character." But he goes on to assert that not only is the Rosary centered on the mystery of Christ, "if properly revitalized it is an aid and certainly not a hindrance to ecumenism."

The Pope's encyclical is a really beautiful one. I found that it was easy to read, insightful, moving and challenging. I must admit that, since joining the Charismatic Movement nearly thirty years ago, I haven't prayed the Rosary nearly as often as I did when I was younger.

Nowadays I prefer to use such things as Lectio Divina and tongues. But having read what the Pope has to say, I'm resolved to pray the Rosary more often during the coming year. I even got a new Rosary beads as a declaration of intent.

Finally, it is worth noting that the Holy Father has said: "I desire that during the course of this year the Rosary should be especially emphasized and promoted in the various Christian communities. I therefore proclaim the year from October 2002 to October 2003 the year of the Rosary."