Meditations for the last Rosary of 2025

First mystery: the Annunciation of the angel to Mary

From the Gospel according to Saint Luke

In the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a Virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, who was a descendant of David. The name of the Virgin was Mary. Having entered where she was, the Angel said: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you”.

In the name of God, the Angel entered where the Virgin Mary was. God loved her, chose her, sought her out, and she accepted His will with total obedience, the fruit of her free and immaculate love. Mary recognized the love that God had for her and, by her yes, eternal Love entered the world. As we enter this new year, let us recognize the love that God has for each one of us and let us receive His will with joy and gratitude. Let us ask the intercession of Saint Francisco Marto, who used to say with contagious tenderness: “I love God so much”!

Second mystery: the Visitation of Mary to her kinswoman Elizabeth

From the Gospel according to Saint Luke

“Mary set out and went in haste to the hill country, toward a town of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth”.

Mary entered the house of Elizabeth, bearing Jesus in her womb. The offering of Mary, in every age, is Christ, the one who is, who was, and who is to come (cf. Rev 11:17). The offering of Mary, for us also, is Christ, who is the same, yesterday, today and for all eternity (cf. Heb 13:8). As we enter this new year, let us make our own the words of Sister Lucia, spoken at Pontevedra 100 years ago: “O my Mother in Heaven, give me your Child Jesus”. Let us pray that the Mother in Heaven may bring Jesus to every home where there is suffering, to the hospitals and to the prisons, as she brought Him to the house of Elizabeth.

Third mystery: the birth of Jesus

From the Gospel according to Saint Luke

“Joseph too went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his wife, who was about to become a mother. While they were there, the day came for her to give birth, and she had her firstborn Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn”.

On the day of giving birth, Mary did not enter the inn. To give birth to her firstborn Son, she entered a stable and laid Him in a manger. On entering the world, the Son of God made Himself poor in order to be the riches of all. God was not ashamed of the poor, but made Himself like them and made of them a sign of His presence. As we enter the new year, let us entrust to the Lord those who do not have their daily bread, those discarded by society, those who have no love, those who are discouraged. Let us ask the intercession of Saint Jacinta Marto, who never forgot her poor.

Fourth mystery: the Presentation of Jesus in the temple

From the Gospel according to Saint Luke

When the days of purification came, according to the Law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male child shall be consecrated to the Lord”.

Mary entered Jerusalem with her firstborn Son, to present Him to God in the Temple and to offer Him to the Father who sent Him. And in the Temple Jesus is also presented to men as the salvation of humanity, light of the nations and sign of contradiction. As we enter the new year, let us entrust to the Lord all those who are persecuted because of their fidelity to Christ and to the Church. Let us ask the intercession of Saint Jacinta Marto who, embracing the crucifix, would say: “O Jesus, I want to suffer much for love of You”.

Fifth mystery: the finding of the child Jesus in the temple

From the Gospel according to Saint Luke

“When they saw Jesus, His parents were astonished. And His Mother said to Him: ‘Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been searching for you in distress’”. Jesus answered them: “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in the house of My Father?”.

At the age of 12, Jesus entered the Temple solemnly and willed to remain there, as a sign of His intimate relationship with the Father. As He will later teach: “The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in His hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life”. For this reason, after entering the Temple, Mary and Joseph hear from Jesus the confirmation that the Son they were seeking is the One who comes from on high. As we enter this new year, let us always aspire to the things on high, and may the things of earth not take the place of God. Let us ask the intercession of Saint Francisco Marto, whose great desire was to go to Heaven.

Fr. João Paulo Quelhas Domingues

The spirituality of the Rosary and the Joyful Mysteries centered on Mary are explored in depth in the Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae of John Paul II, an indispensable reference for Marian prayer.

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