On Saturday the Rosary prays the Joyful Mysteries, the mysteries centred on Mary and the Incarnation: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Presentation, and the Finding in the Temple. Saturday is traditionally the day of Our Lady, and it is also the vigil of Sunday, the eve of the Lord’s Day.
Why are the Joyful Mysteries prayed on Saturday?
Saturday has belonged to Mary for centuries. The Church keeps an old custom of a Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin, and the day sits like a vigil on the edge of Sunday, waiting for the Resurrection the way Mary waited through Holy Saturday, keeping faith when the tomb was still sealed. The Joyful Mysteries are her mysteries above all: she is at the centre of each one, from the angel’s greeting to the finding of her Son in the Temple. To pray them on Saturday is to spend the day in her company, and to let her prepare you for Sunday as she, more than anyone, was ready for the morning her Son rose. Monday prays these same mysteries as the week begins; Saturday prays them as a child beside her mother, on the day the Church gives to her.
The Joyful Mysteries prayed on Saturday
Saturday’s Rosary meditates on the five Joyful Mysteries:
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation in the Temple
- The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Each carries its own Scripture, meditation, and spiritual fruit. For the full text and meditation on every decade, see the Joyful Mysteries.
Does the Saturday Rosary change with the season?
Unlike Sunday, the weekday sets do not change with the season. This set is prayed on this day all year round. Sunday is the only day whose mysteries shift with the liturgical calendar. To see the whole week in one place, with today’s set already worked out, see which Rosary is prayed today.
◆ The same mysteries, a different day
The Joyful Mysteries are also prayed on Monday, but as the beginning of the week rather than Our Lady’s day. See the Monday Rosary.
Praying the Saturday Rosary
Saturday is a fitting day to entrust the week that was, and the Sunday to come, to Mary. Praying the Joyful Mysteries as her day closes the week gently. Orabimus opens to Saturday’s set for you, with a voice to follow. For the beads and the order, see how to pray the Rosary.
You do not have to watch a video to pray along. On Orabimus you pray Saturday’s rosary yourself, at your own pace and in your own language, or live and in sync with others, as a virtual rosary.
Pray Saturday’s Rosary now.
Open Orabimus and Saturday’s mysteries are already set for you, with a voice to pray alongside in nine languages. Free, no account needed.
Pray Saturday’s RosarySaturday’s set chosen for you · Audio in nine languages · Works offline
Sources: John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae §38 (2002) · USCCB, How to Pray the Rosary · The Mysteries of the Rosary (The Holy See)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which mysteries are prayed on Saturday?
On Saturday the Joyful Mysteries are prayed: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Presentation in the Temple, and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple. Mary is at the centre of each of them.
Why are the Joyful Mysteries prayed on Saturday?
Saturday is traditionally Our Lady’s day and the vigil of Sunday. The Joyful Mysteries are the mysteries most centred on Mary, from the Annunciation onward, so they are prayed on the day the Church gives to her, in preparation for the Lord’s Day.
Why is Saturday dedicated to Mary?
The Church keeps an ancient custom of honouring the Blessed Virgin on Saturday, with an optional Saturday memorial of Mary in its calendar. One traditional reason is that Mary kept faith through Holy Saturday, when the tomb was sealed, waiting for the Resurrection.
What is the difference between the Saturday and Monday Rosary?
Both pray the Joyful Mysteries. Saturday prays them as Our Lady’s day and the vigil of Sunday; Monday prays them as the beginning of the week. See the Monday Rosary for the start of the week.
Can I pray a different set of mysteries on Saturday?
Yes. The schedule is a helpful custom, not a binding rule. It exists so the whole Church prays together and a week covers the whole life of Christ. You are free to pray whichever mysteries you are drawn to on a given Saturday.