THURSDAY OF THE JOYFUL

The Joy of the Lord

Let us ponder in our hearts that joy of the Lord

kept in the heart Mary, his Mother ever virgin.

First, The Lord Announced to the Virgin 

On the large bead, a leader begins the Our Father:  

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name.

Rs. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done ... 

On each bead of the decade, a leader begins by reading the verse: 

Vs. 1  The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin, * and the virgin’s name was Mary.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 2  And the angel, coming in, said to her: * Hail, Full of grace, the Lord is with you.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 3  Having heard it, she was troubled at his saying, * and she thought with herself what kind of greeting this should be.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 4  And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, * for you have found grace with God.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 5  Behold, you shall conceive in your womb and bring forth a son, * and you shall call his name Jesus.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 6  He shall be great, and he shall be called the Son of the Most High, * and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …
 
Vs. 7  And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, * since I know not man?  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 8  And the angel, answering, said to her: The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, * and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 9  And therefore the Holy that shall be born of you * shall be called the Son of God.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 10  And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord: *  be it done unto me according to your word.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Mary kept in mind all these words, *
and she pondered them in her heart.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Vs. She wondered at the things spoken of him, *
Rs. And she pondered them in her heart.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Vs. Mary kept in mind all these words, *
Rs. And she pondered them in her heart.

Second, The Lord Blessed in the Virgin

On the large bead, a leader begins the Our Father:  

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name.

Rs. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done ... 

On each bead of the decade, a leader begins by reading the verse: 

Vs. 1  Behold, your cousin Elizabeth also has conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren, * for no word shall be impossible with God.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 2  And Mary rising up went into the hill country with haste. * And she entered into the house of Zachariah and greeted Elizabeth.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 3  When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. * And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 4  And she cried out with a loud voice: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! * But how happens this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 5   For as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, * the infant in my womb leaped for joy.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 6  And blessed are you who have believed * that the things shall be accomplished which were spoken to you by the Lord.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …
 
Vs. 7  And Mary said: My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, * because he has regarded the humility of his handmaid.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 8  For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed: * because he that is mighty has done great things for me.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 9  Holy is his name; * and his mercy is from age to age on them that fear him.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 10  He has shown might in his arm. * He has put down the mighty from their seat and has exalted the humble.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Mary kept in mind all these words, *
and she pondered them in her heart.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Vs. She wondered at the things spoken of him, *
Rs. And she pondered them in her heart.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Vs. Mary kept in mind all these words, *
Rs. And she pondered them in her heart.

Third, The Lord Born of the Virgin

On the large bead, a leader begins the Our Father:  

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name.

Rs. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done ... 

On each bead of the decade, a leader begins by reading the verse: 

Vs. 1  There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. * And Joseph also went up to the city of David, called Bethlehem, with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 2  And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered, * and she brought forth her firstborn son.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 3  And she wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, * for there was no room for them in the inn.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 4  And there were in the country shepherds keeping the night watches over their flock. * And behold, the brightness of the Lord shone around them, and they feared with a great fear.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 5  And the angel said to them: Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people. * For this day is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 6  And this shall be a sign to you: * you shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 7  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying* Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of good will.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 8  And the shepherds said to one another: * Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord has shown to us.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 9  And they came with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. * And upon seeing, they made known the word that had been spoken to them about this child.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 10  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God. * But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Mary kept in mind all these words, *
and she pondered them in her heart.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Vs. She wondered at the things spoken of him, *
Rs. And she pondered them in her heart.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Vs. Mary kept in mind all these words, *
Rs. And she pondered them in her heart.

Fourth, The Lord Presented with the Virgin

On the large bead, a leader begins the Our Father:  

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name.

Rs. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done ... 

On each bead of the decade, a leader begins by reading the verse: 

Vs. 1  After the days of her purification were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, * according as it is written in the law of the Lord.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 2  And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. * And the Holy Spirit was upon him.   Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 3  And he had received revelation from the Holy Sprit, * that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 4  And he came by the Spirit into the temple, * and when his parents brought in the child Jesus, he took him into his arms and blessed God.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 5  Now let your servant go in peace, O Lord, according to your word, * for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 6  A light for the revelation of the Gentiles, * and the glory of your people Israel.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 7  And his father and mother wondered at those things that were spoken about him. * And Simeon blessed them.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 8  And he said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, * and for a sign that shall be contradicted.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 9  And your own soul too a sword shall pierce, *  that out of many hearts their thoughts may be revealed. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 10  Having performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to their city Nazareth. * And the child grew and waxed strong, full of wisdom, and the grace of God was in him.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Mary kept in mind all these words, *
and she pondered them in her heart.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Vs. She wondered at the things spoken of him, *
Rs. And she pondered them in her heart.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Vs. Mary kept in mind all these words, *
Rs. And she pondered them in her heart.

Fifth, The Lord Sought by the Virgin

On the large bead, a leader begins the Our Father:  

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name.

Rs. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done ... 

On each bead of the decade, a leader begins by reading the verse: 

Vs. 1  His parents went every year to Jerusalem, * at the solemn day of the Pasch.   Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 2  And when he was twelve years old, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, * but they were unaware.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 3  And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, * seeking him.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 4  And after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers of the Law, * hearing them and asking them questions.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 5  And all who heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. * And seeing him, his parents wondered at him.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 6  And his mother said to him: Son, why have you done so to us? * Behold your father and I have sought you sorrowing.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …
 
Vs. 7  And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? * Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 8  They understood not the word that he spoke to them. * But his mother kept all these words in her heart.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 9  And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, * and he was subject to them.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 10  And Jesus advanced in wisdom and in age * and in grace with God and men.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Mary kept in mind all these words, *
and she pondered them in her heart.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Vs. She wondered at the things spoken of him, *
Rs. And she pondered them in her heart.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
Vs. Mary kept in mind all these words, *
Rs. And she pondered them in her heart.

Concluding Prayers After the Decades

Intercessions for the Church

Vs. Lord, have mercy.

Rs. Lord, have mercy. 

 

Vs. Christ, have mercy.   

Rs. Christ, have mercy. 

Vs. Lord, have mercy.

Rs. Lord, have mercy. 

Vs. Christ, hear us.   

Rs. Christ, graciously hear us. 

Vs. God, the Father of heaven:   

Rs. Have mercy on us. 

Vs. God the Son, Redeemer of the world:   

Rs. Have mercy on us. 

Vs. God the Holy Spirit:   

Rs. Have mercy on us. 

Vs. Holy Trinity, one God:   

Rs. Have mercy on us. 

 

Vs. Watch over your Church, O Lord. 

 Rs. O Lord, watch over our Holy Father. 

Vs. Preserve your Church, O Lord. 

Rs. O Lord, preserve our Holy Father. 

Vs. Uphold your Church, O Lord. 

Rs. O Lord, uphold our Holy Father. 

 

Vs. Grant the pastors of your Church and its laborers

ever to renew, O Lord. 

 Rs. O Lord, grant your people ever to renew. 

Vs. Grant religious life in the Church and the consecrated

ever to renew, O Lord. 

Rs. O Lord, grant your people ever to renew. 

Vs. Grant the life of the faithful in the family and in the world 

 ever to renew, O Lord. 

 Rs. O Lord, grant your people ever to renew. 

 

Vs. Draw to the bosom of the Church 

all the peoples of the world, O Lord: 

 Rs. And in your mercy hear the Holy Father’s intentions 

for all the peoples of the world, O Lord.

Vs. Holy Mary, holy Mother of the Church, pray for her: 

 Rs. that she be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 

 

 

Antiphon 
to the 
Blessed Virgin 
Mary

 

 

Salve Regina

(To the tune of the Roman Salve, below.) 

Mary, we greet thee, 

Mother and Queen all merciful:

our life, our sweetness, and our hope, 

we greet thee! 

To thee we exiles, 

children of Eve, lift our crying;

to thee we send our sighs, 

as mourning and weeping 

 we pass through this valley of tears. 

Therefore we pray, 

be our gracious helper;

look with pity, 

with eyes of loving tenderness, 

 upon us sinners. 

And at the end, 

when this earthly exile shall be over, 

show us 

the blessed fruit of thy womb,

Jesus. 

O loving! 

O gentle! 

O most sweet 

Virgin Mary!

 Vs. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God: 

Rs. That we be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 

The concluding prayer is recited by a leader of prayers: 

Lord holy Father, 

 as your only begotton Son by his life, death, and resurrection 

 has obtained for us the rewards of eternal life:

grant us, we beseech thee, 

that by pondering in our hearts these mysteries that 

his blessed Mother keeps in hers, 

we may imitate what they contain 

and attain what they promise. 

Through the same Christ our Lord: 

Rs. Amen  

Vs. Glory be to the Father, 

and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit: 

Rs. As it was in the beginning, 

is now, 

and ever shall be, 

world without end. 

 Amen 

 The leader invokes the final blessing: 

Vs. May the Lord our God bless us, 

and defend us from all evil, 

and lead us to eternal life: 

They conclude, kissing the crucifix and making the sign of the cross with it: 

Rs. In the name of the Father, 

and of the Son, 

and of the Holy Spirit. 

 Amen.

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