First Sorrowful Mystery - Agony in the Garden

The First Sorrowful Mystery - the Agony of Jesus – from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 26, verses 36-46

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me." He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will." When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, "My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!" Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. [and from Luke 22, verses 43-44: (And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.)] Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand".


“Such a battle and such a victory became possible only through prayer. It is by His prayer that Jesus vanquishes the Tempter, both at the outset of His public mission and in the ultimate struggle of His agony". (Article 2849 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church).

While meditating on the mystery of the Agony of Jesus, pray also for the release of its fruit, true contrition (sorrow) for sin.


After a short period of silence, recite the following prayers:

While holding the large bead next to the metal centerpiece, pray the 'Lord's Prayer' :

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil, Amen.

On the next bead, pray the 'Hail Mary' :
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee!
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death, Amen.
Repeat the 'Hail Mary' 9 more times, while moving along each remaining bead in the group of ten (the 'decade').


Next, pray the 'Gloria Patri' :   See rosaries with added 'Glory Be' & 'Fatima' beads!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end, Amen.


Next, pray the 'Fatima Prayer' :   See rosaries with added 'Glory Be' & 'Fatima' beads!
O my Jesus, forgive us (our sins), save us from the fires of Hell!
Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy, Amen.


This concludes the First Sorrowful Mystery. Click here to continue with the Second Sorrowful Mystery.


Continue with the closing prayers of the Rosary (if you are praying this one decade only).