Rosary for Thursday: How to Pray the 5 Luminous Mysteries (2026 Guide)

On Thursday, Catholics pray the Luminous Mysteries of the rosary: the Baptism of Jesus, the Wedding at Cana, the Proclamation of the Kingdom, the Transfiguration and the Institution of the Eucharist. These “mysteries of light” were added by St. John Paul II in 2002. This guide takes you through the whole Thursday rosary, with every prayer written out and a meditation for each mystery.

Which Mysteries Are Prayed on Thursday?

In his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae (October 16, 2002), St. John Paul II added five new mysteries from Jesus’ public life and proposed this weekly schedule:

Day	Mysteries
Monday	Joyful
Tuesday	Sorrowful
Wednesday	Glorious
Thursday	Luminous
Friday	Sorrowful
Saturday	Joyful
Sunday	Glorious

He explained that the rosary already contemplated Jesus’ childhood (Joyful), his Passion (Sorrowful) and his Resurrection and glory (Glorious), and that adding his public ministry would make it more fully “a compendium of the Gospel.”

How to Pray the Rosary for Thursday, Step by Step

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles’ Creed on the crucifix.
2. Pray the Our Father on the first large bead.
3. Pray three Hail Marys for faith, hope and charity.
4. Pray the Glory Be.
5. Announce the First Luminous Mystery and pray the Our Father.
6. Pray ten Hail Marys while meditating on the mystery.
7. End the decade with the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
8. Repeat for the second through fifth mysteries.
9. Close with the Hail, Holy Queen, the closing prayer and the Sign of the Cross.

The Prayers of the Rosary

The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.

The Our Father

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.

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.

The Glory Be

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.

The Fatima Prayer

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.

The 5 Luminous Mysteries, with Meditations

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan

Scripture: Matthew 3:13–17 · Fruit: openness to the Holy Spirit

Jesus, who has no sin, asks John to baptize him. As he comes up from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Thank God for your own baptism, when you too became his beloved child, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.

2. The Wedding at Cana

Scripture: John 2:1–12 · Fruit: to Jesus through Mary

At a wedding feast the wine runs out. Mary notices, tells Jesus, and says to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Jesus changes water into wine, his first sign. Bring your family’s needs to Mary as those newlyweds did, and pray for married couples, especially any whose marriage is struggling.

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom and the Call to Conversion

Scripture: Mark 1:14–15 · Fruit: repentance and trust in God

Jesus begins his preaching: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). He heals the sick and forgives sinners. Ask for a converted heart, and consider when you might next go to confession; our guide on how to go to confession can help.

4. The Transfiguration

Scripture: Luke 9:28–36 · Fruit: desire for holiness

On the mountain, Jesus’ face shines like the sun and his clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear with him, and the Father says, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). The disciples glimpse his glory before the Passion. Ask for the grace to listen to Jesus, and to hold on to hope in dark times.

5. The Institution of the Eucharist

Scripture: Luke 22:14–20 · Fruit: love of the Eucharist; adoration

At the Last Supper, on the night before he died, Jesus takes bread and says, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). The Church calls the Eucharist “the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). Thank him for his real presence in every tabernacle, and pray for priests, who celebrate the Mass.

Closing Prayers

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

Closing Prayer

Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten Son,
by his life, death and resurrection,
has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life;
grant, we beseech thee, that meditating upon these mysteries
of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise,
through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Making Thursday a Eucharistic Day

Because the last Luminous Mystery is the Institution of the Eucharist, and the Last Supper took place on a Thursday, many Catholics make Thursday a day of special love for the Blessed Sacrament:

• Pray the rosary before the tabernacle or during Eucharistic adoration, if your parish offers it.
• Make a spiritual communion if you cannot get to Mass.
• Offer the decades for priests, vocations and those who have stopped going to Mass.

Older Catholics who learned the rosary before 2002 may remember praying the Joyful Mysteries on Thursday. You are still free to do so; St. John Paul II offered the Luminous Mysteries as an enrichment, not a requirement. To learn more about the role of Mary in prayer, see what the Catholic Church believes about Mary.