Vocation Rosary

These meditations on each of the twenty mysteries of the Rosary were written by Seminarian David C. Deston.

The Glorious Mysteries

Praying the Joyful, Luminous, and Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, we learned about vocation as one’s place in the economy of salvation, how to find that place, and how to unite one's specific vocation to that of the Lord. Now, let us pray together the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, and as we do so, let us focus on the graces, the tools, if you will, God has given us to do His work.

First Glorious Mystery – The Resurrection

On the third day after Jesus was crucified, some women went to the place he was laid to anoint the body, when to their shock, they discovered the tomb open and empty. Their shock is quickly pushed aside, however, as they learn that the Lord is risen. This fact, this truth, is central to the Christian vocation. In rising from the dead, the Lord has broken the chains of sin and death that for so long, ruptured our relationship with God. As we pray this mystery, let us ask God to help us make the Resurrection the central point in our hearts so that whatever our specific vocation may be, we may proclaim by our words and actions “The Lord is risen!”

Second Glorious Mystery – The Ascension

After his resurrection, Jesus spent forty days with the apostles, teaching them to be heralds of the Gospel. After the forty days were over, the Lord ascended to heaven on a cloud, promising to send the Paraclete after him. Dumbstruck, the Eleven stared after him into the sky. Two angels appeared to them and told them that as Jesus left, he shall return. Strengthened by the angels’ message, the Eleven, Mary, and the holy women devoted themselves to prayer. In the liturgy, we hear that “our desire to praise You is itself Your gift.” As we pray this mystery, let us thank Almighty God for the gift of prayer itself, for it is in prayer that we commune with the Most High.

Third Glorious Mystery – The Descent of the Holy Spirit

The Apostles and Mary are in the Upper Room when it is filled with a rushing wind and tongues of fire descend on their heads, anointing them with the Holy Spirit. Filled with its power, they go out into the streets and proclaim the Gospel in all languages. Indeed, the people exclaim “We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphyllia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travellers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” The same Spirit that made the Apostles able to do this is active in each of us by our Baptism and Confirmation. As we pray this mystery, let us ask God to renew in us the strength of the Holy Spirit so that we too may proclaim the Word with power.

Fourth Glorious Mystery – The Assumption of Mary

At the end of her life, Our Lady was taken body and soul, into heaven. This is a singular event. However, it does certainly affect the way we live out our vocations. In her Assumption, Mary was conformed more fully to her Son. This is meant for us as anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians. By giving us a public sign, God is making a promise that we too shall share her reward. As we pray this mystery, let us ask God to make us more like Mary, with our eyes fixed on the proper goal of our life, her son, Our Lord Jesus.

Fifth Glorious Mystery – The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In making Mary the Queen of Heaven and earth, God has made her a powerful intercessor for us before the heavenly throne. She has also been justly rewarded for her fidelity and love while on earth. She is for us both a model and a help. As we pray this mystery, let us thank God for the gift of so great a mother and ask Our Lady to lay our prayers at the feet of her son.