Meditations on the Rosary

based on Sister Faustina's texts(Diary) (from: "God Who is Rich in Mercy. Meditations and Prayers to The Divine Mercy", Misericordia Publications of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, Kraków, Poland, 2008)

Illustrated with the pictures of glass windows by Agnes Mann from different churches in Germany. 
All pictures from the book "Durchlichtetes Wort", Claudius Groß (ed.), Verlag Katholisches Bibelwerk GmbH, Stuttgart 1988.

Introduction

I saw, between heaven and earth, the Mother of God, clothed in a bright robe. She was praying with Her hands folded on Her bosom, Her eyes fixed on Heaven. From Her Heart issued forth fiery rays, some of which were turned toward Heaven while the others were covering our country (33). 
O radiant Virgin, pure as crystal, all immersed in God, I offer You my spiritual life; arrange everything that it may be pleasing to Your Son (844). 

Through your hands, Mother of Mercy, I offer this prayer of the Rosary for the intention of the Holy Church, our Homeland and for the grace of repentance for sinners of the whole world...

Part I - The Joyful Mysteries

4. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

O Mary, today (because of the prophetic words of Simeon) a terrible sword has pierced Your holy soul. Except for God, no one knows of Your suffering. Your soul does not break; it is brave, because it is with Jesus. Sweet Mother, unite my soul to Jesus, because it is only then that I will be able to endure all trials and tribulations, and only in union with Jesus will my little sacrifices be pleasing to God. Sweetest Mother, continue to teach me about the interior life. May the sword of suffering never break me. O pure Virgin, pour courage into my heart and guard it (915). 

5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

I look for no happiness beyond my own interior where God dwells. I rejoice that God dwells within me; here I abide with Him unendingly; it is here that my greatest intimacy with Him exists; here I dwell with Him in safety; here is a place not probed by the human eye. The Blessed Virgin encourages me to commune with God in this way (454). 

Conclusion

O Mary, my Mother and my Lady, I offer You my soul, my body, my life and my death, and all that will follow it. I place everything in Your hands. O my Mother, cover my soul with Your virginal mantle and grant me the grace of purity of heart, soul and body. Defend me with Your power against all enemies (79). 

Part II - The Luminous Mysteries 

Introduction

O Light eternal, who come to this earth, enlighten my mind and strenghten my will that I may not give up in times of great affliction. May Your light dissipate all the shadows of doubt. May Your omnipotence act through me. I trust in You, O uncreated Light! (830) 

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan

Once after Holy Communion, I heart these words: 'you are Our dwelling place'. At the moment, I felt in my soul the presence of the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I felt that I was the temple of God. I felt I was a child of the Father. I cannot explain all this, but the spirit understands it well. O infinite Goodness, how low You stood to Your miserable creature! (451).  

Thank You, God, for Holy Baptism which engrafted me into Your family, a gift great beyond all thought or expression which transforms my soul (1286). 

2. Jesus Reveals His Glory at the Wedding of Cana

I remained alone with the Most Holy Mother who instructed me about the will of God and how to apply it to my life, submitting completely to His most holy decrees. It is impossible for one to please God without obeying His holy will. 'My daughter, I strongly recommend that you faithfully fulfill all God's wishes, for that is most pleasing in His holy eyes. I very much desire that you distinguish yourself in this faithfulness in accomplishing God's will. Put the will of God before all sacrifices and holocausts' (1244). 

4. The Transfiguration of Jesus

My Jesus, penetrate me through and through so that I might be able to reflect You in my whole life. Divinize me so that my deeds may have supernatural value. I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor. (...) O my Jesus, transform me into Yourselv, for you can do all things (1242, 163). 

Conclusion 

Jesus, source of life, sanctify me. O my strenght, fortify me. My Commander, fight for me. Only light of my soul, enlighten me. My Master, guide me. I entrust myself to You as a little child does to its mother's love. Even if all things were to conspire against me, and even if the ground were to give way under my feet, I would be at peace close to Your heart (1490). 

Part III - The Sorrowful Mysteries 

Introduction

Jesus told me that I please Him best by meditating on His sorrowful Passion, and by such maditation much light falls upon my soul. He who wants to learn true humility should reflect upon the Passion of Jesus...
I want to resemble You, O Jesus, You crucified, tortured and humiliated. Jesus, imprint upon my heart and soul Your own humility. I love You, Jesus, to the point of madness, You who were crushed with suffering as describes by the prophet (cf. Is 53:2-9)  (267). 

1. The Agony of Jesus in the Garden

In the evening, when I entered the small chapel, I heard these words in my soul: My daughter, consider these words: "And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly." When I started to think aboud them more deeply, much light streamed into my soul. I learned how much we need perseverance in prayer and that our salvation often depends on such difficult prayer (157). 

2. The Scourging of Jesus at the Pillar 

I saw how the Lord Jesus suffered as He was being scourged. Oh, such an inconceivable agony! How terribly Jesus suffered during the scourging! O poor siners, on the day of judgment how will you face the Jesus whom you are now torturing so cruelly? His blood flowed to the ground, and in some places His flesh startet to fall off. I saw a few bare bones on His back. The meek Jesus moaned softly and sighet (188). 

3. The Crowning of Jesus with Thorns

After the scourging, the torturers took the Lord and stripped Him of His own garment, which had already adhered to the wounds; as they took it off, His wounds reopened; then they threw a dirty and tattered scarlet cloak over the fresh wounds of the Lord. The cloak, in some places, barely reached His knees. They made Him sit on a piece of beam. And then they wove a crown of thorns, which they put on His sacred head. They put a reed in His hand and made fun of Him, bowing to Him, as to a king. Some spat in His face, while others took the reed and struck Him on the head with it. Others caused Him pain by slapping Him; still others covered His face and struck Him with their fists. Jesus bore all this meekness... They tried to outdo each other in insulting the Lord. I reflected: Where does such malice in man come from? It is caused by sin. Love and sin have met (cf. 408). 

4. Jesus Carries His Heavy Cross

The world still has no idea of all that Jesus suffered. I accompanied Him to the Garden of Gethsemane; I stayed with Him in the prison; I went with Him before the judges; I underwent with Him each of the tortures. Not a single one of His movements or looks escaped my notice. I came to know all the omnipotence of His love and His mercy towards souls (1054). 

5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus 

At three o'clock, I saw the Lord Jesus, crucified, who looked at me and said, I thirst. Then I saw two rays issue from His side, just as they appear in the image. I then felt in my soul the desire to save souls and to empty myself for the sake of poor sinners (648). 
Jesus' mortal life was coming to an end. I heard His seven words; then He looked at me and said, Beloved daughter of My Heart, you are My solace amidst terrible torments (1058).

Conclusion

Mother of God, Your soul was plunged into a sea of bitternes; look upon Your child and teach her to suffer and to love while suffering. Fortify my soul that pain will not break it. Mother of grace, teach me to live by [the power of] God (315). 

Part IV - The Glorious Mysteries 

Introduction

O sweet Mother of God, I model my life on You; You are for me the bright dawn; O Mother, Immaculate Virgin, in You the divine ray is reflected, Midst storms, it's You who teach me to love the Lord, O my shield and defens from the foe (1232).

1. The Resurrection of Jesus 

Today, during the [Mass of the] Resurrection, I saw the Lord Jesus in the midst of a great light. He approached me and said, Peace be to you, My children, and He lifted up His hand and gave His blessing. The wounds in His hands, feet and side were indelible and shining. When He lokked at me with such kindness and love, my whole soul drowned itself in Him. And He said to me, You have taken a great part in My Passion; therefore I now give you a great share in My joy and glory (205).

2. The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven 

Today I accompanied the Lord Jesus as He ascended into heaven... Then I saw myself in the midst of a huge crowd of disciples and apostles, together with the Mother of God. Jesus was telling them to ... Go out into the whole world and teach in My name. He stretched out His hands and blessed them and disappeared in a cloud. I saw the longing of Our Lady. Her soul yearned for Jesus with the whole force of Her love. But She was so peaceful and so united to the will of God that there was not a stir in Her heart but for what God wanted (1710). 

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit 

I am reliving those moments with Our Lady. With great longing, I am waiting for the Lord's coming. Great are my desires. I desire that all humankind come to know the Lord. I would like to prepare all nations for the coming of the Word Incarnate. O Jesus, make the fount of Your mercy gush forth more abundantly, for humankind is seriously ill (793). 

4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

During meditation, God's presence pervaded me keenly, and I was aware of the Virgin Mary's joy at the moment of Her Assumption... I remained alone with the Most Holy Mother who instructed me about the will of God and how to apply it to my life, submitting completely to His most holy decrees (1244). She said, The soul's true greatness is in loving God and in humbling oneself in His presence, completely forgetting oneself and believing oneself to be nothing; because the Lord is great, but He is well-pleased only with the humble; He always opposes the proud (1711). 

5. Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

From the early morning, I felt the nearness of the Blessed Mother. During Holy Mass, I saw Her, so lovely and so beautiful that I have no words to express even a small part of this beauty. She was all [in] white, with a blue sash around Her waist. Her cloak was also blue, and there was a crown on Her head. Marvelous light streamed forth from Her whole figure. She said these words: I am the Queen of heaven and earth, but especially the Mother of your [Congregation] (805).

Conclusion

Mary, Immaculate Virgin, take me under Your special protection and guard the purity of my soul, heart and body. You are the model and star of my life (874).