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MyPrayerTower
DevotionsOctober 16, 2025

St. John Paul II & The Luminous Mysteries

For centuries, the Rosary had 15 mysteries. In 2002, the Pope added 5 more. Why the 'Mysteries of Light' are the missing link.

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MyPrayerTower Team
5 min read Spiritual Study

Traditionally, the Rosary jumped from Jesus being a 12-year-old (Finding in the Temple) to Jesus sweating blood (Agony in the Garden). It skipped His entire adult life!

The Missing Link

St. John Paul II realized this gap. In his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, he proposed the Luminous Mysteries (Mysteries of Light) to bridge the gap. They focus on Christ's public ministry:

  1. The Baptism in the Jordan (His Identity revealed).
  2. The Wedding at Cana (His first miracle / Mary's intercession).
  3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom (His preaching/healing).
  4. The Transfiguration (His glory revealed).
  5. The Institution of the Eucharist (His gift of Himself).

Why "Luminous"?

Because Jesus is the "Light of the World." These mysteries show Him revealing who He really is.


Illuminate your Thursday. Pray the Mysteries of Light on the MyPrayerTower app.

"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."
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