1. Exploring the Holy Rosary Series: The 5 Fruits of the Joyful Mysteries
Presented By Father Joshua Wagner
Compiled by Jack Kunkler

2. The Holy Rosary
The Blessed Mother has appeared to many requesting us to recite the Holy Rosary as it is a meditation on the life of her Son, Jesus.
The Rosary is a vocal prayer consisting of the Apostles’ Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Hail Holy Queen, and the Fatima Prayer. It is also a mental prayer reflecting on the life events of Jesus and Mary.
The Rosary has 4 mysteries, each mystery has 5 decades and a deep meditative virtue associated with it, known as the “Spiritual Fruits of the Mystery.”
In this presentation, we will explore the Joyful Mysteries and its fruits.
The meaning of the Rosary is simply a Catholic prayer based upon the Bible that focuses on the events in the life of Jesus and that of Mary the Mother of Jesus.
In the Rosary prayer you make use of both vocal and mental prayer. Vocal prayer consists of the prayers listed below.
Mental prayer is meditating upon the Rosary Mysteries which tell the life of Jesus and his mother Mary.
The Roman Catholic Rosary prayers include the...
Sign of the Cross
The Apostles Creed
The Our Father Prayer
The Hail Mary Prayer
The Glory Be Prayer
The Fatima Prayer
The Hail Holy Queen Prayer
The "Let Us Pray" Prayer from the Breviary
The Saint Michael Prayer
The Rosary Mysteries

3. Pray the Joyful Mysteries
The cycle of the Rosary follows the rhythm of the liturgical year observed by the Catholic Church.
The Joyful Mysteries are prayed on Mondays and Saturdays.
During Advent and the Christmas season, the Joyful Mysteries are prayed on Sundays.
The Catholic Church has set aside Rosary days to help aid you in praying the Rosary. There are also different times of the year during church seasons such as Lent and Advent that have a slightly different order to pray the Rosary.
The cycle of the Rosary follows the rhythm of the liturgical year observed by the Catholic Church.
Of the four sets of mysteries contemplated during the praying of the rosary, the joyful mysteries are where you will start. While you are free to pray whichever set of mysteries you choose at any time, it is traditional for the joyful mysteries to come up first. The joyful mysteries of the rosary are traditionally prayed on Mondays and Saturdays. They can also be prayed on Sundays during Advent and the Christmas season, as it seems most appropriate to focus on these mysteries during that time of the liturgical year.

4. The Joyful Mysteries
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.“ (John 1:14)
The Joyful Mysteries are taken mostly from St. Luke's Gospel in the New Testament. They involve the joyful events of Jesus' childhood.
The most joyful event in all of human history is the Incarnation or when God became man and dwelt among us.
Jesus is the Incarnation - God made flesh...
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,
(and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten
of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
-John 1:14
The Joyful Mysteries are taken mostly from St. Luke's Gospel in the New Testament. They involve the joyful events of Jesus' childhood.
The most joyful event in all of human history is the Incarnation or when God became man and dwelt among us.
Jesus is the Incarnation - God made flesh...
When Adam and Eve sinned against God, the gates of heaven were closed. God promised to send a savior who would open the gates of heaven.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise.
That is why the Incarnation is the most wonderful event in human history.
These first five decades of the rosary, the joyful mysteries, “are marked by the joy radiating from the event of the Incarnation.” Our own feelings of joy should join with Mary’s joy that is evident in each of these five mysteries. As we meditate on each of these events, beginning with the annunciation and ending with the final known story of Christ’s childhood, we immerse ourselves in the gospel, and come to know the joy of God made man.

5. The 5 Joyful Mysteries and Fruits
The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary are so called because they recount all the Joys of the "Good News", namely Jesus.
The Annunciation – Humility
The Visitation – Love of Neighbor, Charity
The Nativity – Poverty, Love of God
The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple – Obedience
The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple – Zeal for God
The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary are so called because they recount all the Joys of the "Good News", namely Jesus.
The Joyful Mysteries are marked by the joy radiating from the event of the Incarnation.
1. The Annunciation - The angel announces that Jesus is to be born...
2. The Visitation - The baby in Elizabeth's womb leaps for joy when Mary who is pregnant with baby Jesus visits her...
3. The Birth of Jesus [The Nativity] - Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem...
4. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple - Jesus is presented to God in the Temple in Jerusalem in accordance with Jewish Law...
5. Finding Jesus in the Temple – Jesus, who was lost, is found in the temple in Jerusalem teaching the high priests...
To delve deeper into the young life of Jesus and for meditations on the rosary, we will explore the individual Joyful Mysteries and their fruits in the coming slides. We will first review the mystery along with the scriptural scene that is associated with each bead. We will then review the fruits for that mystery.

6. 1. The Annunciation - Humility
“The angel said to Mary, ‘You shall conceive and bear a son and give Him the name Jesus. And He will be called Son of the Most High.’”
(Luke 1, 31-32)
The time for the Incarnation is at hand.
Of all women God prepared Mary from her conception to be the Mother of the Incarnate Word.
The Angel Gabriel announces: "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with thee."
Mary wonders at this salutation.
The Angel assures her: "Fear not you shall conceive in your womb, and give birth to a Son."
Mary is troubled for she has made a vow of virginity.
The Angel answers that she will conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit, and her Son will be called the Son of God.
The Incarnation awaits Mary's consent.
Mary answers: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word."
The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
"Behold the handmaid of the Lord;  be it done to me according to thy word."  -Luke 1:38
The account of the Annunciation is one of the most awe inspiring and mysterious Biblical accounts. Just imagine a young Jewish woman, pure and beautiful receives a most noble heavenly visitor, the Archangel Gabriel. Who is delivering a message that is even more amazing.
When meditating upon the Annunciation mystery it may be useful to look at a picture of the Annunciation or even listen to some soothing, uplifting music.
Be mindful that the fruit of this mystery is humility and recall this scene as you meditate.

7. 1. The Annunciation - Humility
The grace of God flow from the most high to the most humble of hearts. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “humility is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly acknowledge that ‘we do not know how to pray as we ought,’ are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. ‘Man is a beggar before God.’ “ (CCC 2559)
6 Ways to become humble:
Pray for humility
Accept humiliating situations
Submit to appropriate superiors
Rely upon God, not yourself
Acknowledge your nothing without God
Do not think you are better than others
"For whosoever shall do the will of God,  he is my brother, and my sister, and mother"  -Mark 3:35
Being able to have a glimpse into Mary's deep humility should inspire you to strive to conform your will to that of God's will.
Imitate her willingness to do God's will and your life will be permeated with serenity.
This gift will be yours if you conform your will to that of God's.
Even Jesus himself conformed his will to God's will to the very last measure...
"Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying:  My Father, if this chalice may not pass away,  but I must drink it, thy will be done."  -Matthew 26:42
“Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist, there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.” —St. Augustine
Humility is the foundation of the entire spiritual life. Without this virtue, we will never advance in holiness. Yet, humility is not simply an abstraction to be admired—it is a virtue to be learned and practiced through the often painful circumstances of daily life. Let us always strive to be humble, then, in imitation of Jesus Christ, who “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
As it is written water flows from the mountain to the valley, so too does the grace of God flow from the most high to the most humble of hearts.  Humility being the mother of all virtues is a spiritual shield against the works of pride, which caused many angels to fall.  Contrary to the belief of many Christians true humility is not associated with timidity or false humility, both of which mask latent pride and are associated with fear of self introspection and are to be avoided in persons who seek to proceed in the attainment of virtues.  The truly humble person recognizes their place in their current station in life and uses their God given talents and gifts to serve God and their neighbor accordingly.

8. 2. The Visitation – Love of Neighbor, Charity
“Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1, 42 & 45)
Mary's cousin Elizabeth conceived a son in her old age... for nothing is impossible with God.
Charity prompts Mary to hasten to visit Elizabeth in the hour of her need.
The journey to Elizabeth's home is about eighty miles requiring four or five days.
Though long and arduous, the journey is joyous, for Mary bears with her the Incarnate Word.
At Mary's salutation, John the Baptist is sanctified in his mother's womb.
Elizabeth exclaims: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
"How have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"
"Blessed is she who believed that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled."
Mary replies: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit finds joy in God my Savior."
Mary serves her cousin in all humility for three months until the birth of John the Baptist.
"And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth."  -Luke 1:39
On Visitation of Mary, the most touching example of "love thy neighbor" Matthew 19:19 is the Bible account of Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth. During the Annunciation the Archangel Gabriel tells Mary that Elizabeth in her old age is also expecting a baby.
Mary disregards herself and immediately goes to the aid of her cousin who is in need. 
Mary knew Elizabeth needed her assistance. From this story, The Visitation of Mary, you can learn two things.
First, that Mary will promptly assist you in your times of need.
And secondly, that you should imitate Mary's example here by serving others.

9. 2. The Visitation – Love of Neighbor, Charity
As it has been written those who have won their neighbor have also won God. We should be of service to our neighbors, whether we find that neighbor in our own home, in our community, or at work.
6 Ways to love thy neighbor
Recognize your neighbor
Ask for forgiveness and offer it
Pray for your neighbor
Rejoice and grieve with them
Learn from Jesus’ teaching about your neighbor
Live according to Jesus’ teachings
"And the second is like to it: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  There is no other commandment greater than these."  -Mark 12:31
Developing a love for your neighbor is transforming.
If you would like to explore this concept further you should read about St. Faustina and Divine Mercy.
Two good resources are Faustina Apostle of Divine Mercy by Catherine M. Odell, OSV and Divine Mercy in My Soul: The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska.
When you start putting others before yourself, you will begin to forget about your problems and find satisfaction and peace in serving others.
The voice of God can be clearly heard through the voice of our neighbor.  By the tenements of Christian charity we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and also we are to do unto to others as we would have them do unto us.  So when we see Christ in our neighbor we are able to exercise the virtues and bring unity to our respective communities and hence bring heaven to earth as Jesus reminded us in the our Father ...thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

10. 3. The Nativity – Poverty, Love of God
“She gave birth to her first-born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the place where travelers lodged.” (Luke 2:7)
Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem to comply with the decree of Caesar Augustus.
The hour for Mary to give birth is near, but there is no room in the inn.
In the stillness of the night, the Savior is born in a cave, Mary remaining a Virgin.
She wraps Him in swaddling clothes and lays Him in a manger.
In unspeakable joy Mary gathers to her bosom the Flower of her virginity.
Jesus enters the world in poverty to teach the lesson of detachment from earthly things.
The angel announces to the shepherds: "Today there is born to you in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord."
The angelic chorus sing: "Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth."
The shepherds come to the stable to pay homage to the Infant Jesus.
The Magi come to adore the Holy Child and offer Him gifts.
"Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will."  -Luke 2:14
The Nativity - birth of Jesus, is the joy of the first Christmas and is the focus of the third Joyful mystery of the Rosary. The word Nativity brings to mind a Virgin wrapping her Child in swaddling clothes and laying Him in a manger, shepherds and angels, three kings coming from the east and the words "no room in the inn."
The true account of the first Christmas, Jesus birth, is taken from the Gospels of St. Luke and St. Matthew.

11. 3. The Nativity – Poverty, Love of God
As it has been said blessed are the pure in heart or the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. They who humbly and meekly bend themselves down before God and man, shall "inherit the land" and possess their inheritance in peace.
4 Ways to become poor in spirit.
Compare yourself to God. Are you as holy as God?
Compare yourself to the law of God. Recognize how short you fall.
Pray. “Lord be merciful to me a sinner.”
 Praise God incessantly for grace and mercy.
"...Amen I say to you, unless you be converted,  and become as little children, you shall not enter into  the kingdom of heaven" -Matthew 18:3
The Nativity brings to mind the most humble place that Jesus birth took place...among the animals, to show that poverty and humility should be aspired.
To find peace and contentment in your life, detach yourself from material things and especially an unhealthy lust for money.
As it has been said blessed are the pure in heart or the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The anawim, they who humbly and meekly bend themselves down before God and man, shall "inherit the land" and possess their inheritance in peace. This is a phrase taken from Psalm 36:11. Being Born in a manger as Jesus was, is symbolic.  Since a manger is a feeding apparatus for creatures so too Jesus made himself spiritual food for God’s people.  By having true poverty of spirit Jesus humbled himself and bent himself to the will of the Father and in so doing he was able to conquer death. So let us learn from this example and build up treasure in heaven by dying to ourselves through the will of God by examining ourselves according to his commandments.
Anawim (pronounced ah-nah-weem) is a Hebrew word that means, “the poor who depend on the Lord for deliverance.” It is used frequently in the Bible, especially the Psalms and is the basis for Jesus’ statement “Blessed are the poor.”

12. 4. Presentation of Jesus at the Temple - Obedience
“When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought Him up to Jerusalem so that He could be presented to the Lord, for it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every first-born male shall be consecrated to the Lord.’" (Luke 2:22-23)
Observing the law of Moses they take Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord.
According to the Law the firstborn male child of every family should be consecrated to the Lord.
Mary offers her Son to the Father, then ransoms Him back at the price paid by the poor.
Jesus is not subject to the law of Moses, yet to teach obedience, submits to it.
Mary is not subject to the law of purification, yet in humility she submits to it.
God had revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the Messiah.
Recognizing the Child, he prays: "Now you can dismiss your servant in peace. You have fulfilled your word."
"This Child is destined to be the downfall and rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed."
And to Mary Simeon reveals: "And your own soul a sword shall pierce."
After they fulfill all the Law requires they return to Nazareth.
"...they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord"  -Luke 2:22
In this Joyful Scriptural mystery, the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, Simeon is filled with joy as he holds the baby Jesus.
The Joyful Mysteries are called such because they are filled with joyous events.
And yet this Joyful mystery of the rosary is also interlaced with a bit of sorrow as Simeon reveals to Mary a prophecy concerning her and the Child.

13. 4. Presentation of Jesus at the Temple - Obedience
Obedience is the main virtue which allows us to praise God fully and completely.  Obedience is simply paying homage to God as creator and ruler of all the laws of the universe. Jesus was obedient even unto death.
8 Ways to become obedient to God
Understand why Jesus is your King
Aspire to Sainthood
Attend Reconciliation regularly
Pray daily
Be a witness to the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross through evangelization
Participate in the celebration of Mass
Pray the Rosary regularly
Become involved in your parish
"The sons of wisdom are the church of the just:  and their generation, obedience and love"  -Eccl 3:1
Up to this point in the Gospel accounts that are commemorated in the first three Joyful mysteries, the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Birth of Jesus, and now in the fourth, the Presentation, you can see that Mary is not only humble, she is profoundly obedient.
Mary's love of obedience is first demonstrated when she answers the angel by calling herself the handmaid of the Lord.
Handmaid here means servant, and Mary being a good servant always promptly obeys.
Again she promptly obeyed when she traveled to Bethlehem at the time of Jesus birth.
This was a long, uncomfortable journey that she undertook while she was pregnant and didn't even have the means to rent a room.
Again in the same mystery, The Birth of Jesus, Mary is given another opportunity to obey.
As it is written in scripture.. and Jesus was obedient even unto death.   Obedience is the main virtue which allows us to praise God fully and completely.  Obedience is simply paying homage to God as creator and ruler of all the laws of the universe. By being obedient to God’s command we are able to discern God’s will for ourselves and understand what our unique vocation is.  Through obedience to the church we are able to carry on the tradition as handed down by the apostles and in so doing we aid the Holy Spirit in providing an intact edifice of salvation to persist  for future generations to behold God’s goodness and glory.  Through obedience we become participants in God’s plan of salvation and redemption, by picking up our crosses and conjoining them to the cross of Christ. As the apostle says I make up in my suffering what is lacking in the cross of Christ.

14. 5. Finding in the Temple – Zeal for God
“On the third day they came upon Him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” 
(Luke 2:46)
When Jesus is twelve years old, He goes with His parents to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.
After the feast of the Passover, Joseph and Mary unknowingly set out for Nazareth without Jesus.
At the end of the first day's journey they discover Jesus is missing.
His parents return immediately looking for Him.
This loss causes grief and anxiety beyond our understanding to the hearts of Mary and Joseph.
On the third day they find Jesus in the Temple among the Doctors who were astonished at His wisdom.
Mary: "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been searching for You in sorrow."
Jesus: "Why did you search for Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"
Jesus goes down with them to Nazareth, and is subject to them.
Mary keeps all these things in her heart.
"And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers." -Luke 2:47
Can you imagine the immense joy, after finding Jesus in the temple, Mary and Joseph had!
At twelve years old, the knowledge Jesus possessed greatly astounded the learned men and Pharisees.
They sat captivated by His answers and His vast wisdom.
Mary and Joseph were surprised and confounded when they finally found Him after three agonizing days just sitting there and conversing with the "doctors".

15. 5. Finding in the Temple – Zeal for God
Through constant prayer, we are asking God to grace us with his presence and through self examination we seek to be one with God by eliminating our faults and replacing them with virtue.
4 Ways to become more zealous
Live up to the expectations of your vocation
Become a lifelong student of Catholicism
Lead by example of being a follower of Jesus
Set God as a top priority in your life
"Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No man cometh to the Father, but by me." -John 14:6
This final mystery of the Joyful mysteries is the last Bible account of the childhood of Jesus.
It is also the second of the two times we meditate upon events that take place in the Temple in Jerusalem.
The first of course is the third Joyful Mystery, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. This second event takes place twelve years later, when Jesus was found in the temple speaking with those congregated there.
The fruit of this mystery is joy in finding Jesus.
It is interesting to take note that Mary and Joseph actually lost the Divine Child.
That makes them so human and approachable.
But the real point of this mystery is the relief and joy they must have felt when they found Him.
As it is written.....ask and it will be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened. So too through constant prayer , self examination, and good works we will find Jesus in our hearts on a daily basis.  Through constant prayer we are asking God to grace us with his presence and through self examination we seek to be one with God by eliminating our faults and replacing them with virtue, and through works of charity we are knocking on the door of the heart of God

16. The Joyful Mysteries: Conclusion
“To meditate upon the “joyful” mysteries, then, is to enter into the ultimate causes and the deepest meaning of Christian joy. It is to focus on the realism of the mystery of the Incarnation and on the obscure foreshadowing of the mystery of the saving Passion. Mary leads us to discover the secret of Christian joy, reminding us that Christianity is, first and foremost, euangelion, “good news,” which has as its heart and its whole content the person of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, the one Savior of the world.” – Blessed Pope John Paul II (Rosarium Virginia Mariae)

17. Exploring the Holy Rosary Series: The 5 Fruits of the Joyful Mysteries
Presented By Father Joshua Wagner
Compiled by Jack Kunkler