Effective October 16, 2002 (The Year of the Rosary)

The Mysteries of Light

Five mysteries, the Mysteries of Light (or the Luminous Mysteries), have been added to the Rosary. They focus on the public ministry of Jesus Christ. They are:

The Baptism in the Jordan
"Here, as Christ descends into the waters, the innocent one who became "sin" for our sake (cf. 2Cor 5:21), the heavens open wide and the voice of the Father declares him the beloved Son (cf. Mt 3:17 and parallels), while the Spirit descends on him to invest him with the mission which he is to carry out."

The Wedding at Cana
"The first of the signs, given at Cana (cf. Jn 2:1- 12), when Christ changes water into wine and opens the hearts of the disciples to faith, thanks to the intervention of Mary, the first among believers. "

The Proclamation of the Kingdom
"The preaching by which Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, calls to conversion (cf. Mk 1:15) and forgives the sins of all who draw near to him in humble trust (cf. Mk 2:3-13; Lk 7:47- 48): the inauguration of that ministry of mercy which he continues to exercise until the end of the world, particularly through the Sacrament of Reconciliation which he has entrusted to his Church (cf. Jn 20:22-23)."

The Transfiguration
"The mystery of light par excellence is the Transfiguration, traditionally believed to have taken place on Mount Tabor. The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to "listen to him" (cf. Lk 9:35 and parallels) and to prepare to experience with him the agony of the Passion, so as to come with him to the joy of the Resurrection and a life transfigured by the Holy Spirit."

The Institution of the Eucharist
"Christ offers his body and blood as food under the signs of bread and wine, and testifies "to the end" his love for humanity (Jn 13:1), for whose salvation he will offer himself in sacrifice."

The Year of the Rosary

"To recite the Rosary is nothing other than to contemplate with Mary the face of Christ. As a way of highlighting this invitation, prompted by the forthcoming 120th anniversary of the aforementioned Encyclical of Leo XIII, I desire that during the course of this year the Rosary should be especially emphasized and promoted in the various Christian communities. I therefore proclaim the year from October 2002 to October 2003 the Year of the Rosary." (no. 3)

---"A mystery is a truth too rich to be fully comprehended in a
lifetime."----Fr. Matthew Naumes

Date: 2004-06-10

John Paul II Convokes "Year of the Eucharist"

From October 2004 to October 2005

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 10, 2004 (Zenit.org).- On the feast of Corpus Christ, John Paul II announced a "Year of the Eucharist" that the Catholic Church will observe from October 2004 to October 2005.

At the Mass he presided over today in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Pope explained that the Year of the Eucharist will begin with the International Eucharistic Congress, Oct. 10-17, in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The year "will end with the next ordinary assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will be held in the Vatican from October 2-29, 2005, and whose theme will be 'The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church,'" the Holy Father added.

John Paul II, who reminded the faithful that the "Church lives from the Eucharist," has made this sacrament the focus of his pastoral concern, as reflected in his 2003 encyclical, "Ecclesia de Eucharistia."

"Christ, 'the living bread which came down from heaven,' is the only one who can satisfy man's hunger at all times and in all parts of the earth," he said.

In the Eucharist, "Christ gives his Body and Blood for the life of humanity. And all those who nourish themselves worthily at his table, become living instruments of his presence of love, mercy and peace," the Pope explained.

As has been the custom since the beginning of this pontificate, at the end of the Mass John Paul II presided over the procession of the Eucharist from the Basilica of St. John Lateran to that of St. Mary Major.
 

Ecclesia de Eucharistia

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