Hey there,
Light is incredibly powerful.
It helps us see.
It gives life.
When it’s as bright as the sun, we can’t look directly at it.
It’s no wonder that in John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”
And in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2466 we believe: “Full of grace and truth,” he came as the “light of the world,” he is the Truth. Whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
And then there’s this incredible story that I ran across.
In a book entitled “Healing Through the Mass,” Father Robert DeGrandis S.S.J. explains that NASA did some experimenting with a special type of camera that could see the energy levels in the human body. This is then seen on a monitor. This energy shows up as an aura around the body. NASA’s interest in the experiment was to investigate the effects of space travel on astronauts in orbit.
Experimenting in a hospital, they discovered that when a person is dying, the aura around the body is thinner and gets thinner and thinner until the person dies. The scientist carrying out this investigation in the hospital and his associate were behind a two-way mirror.
They could see with their camera another man coming into the room with light coming from his pocket. Then the man took the object from his pocket and did something so that in the camera the whole room was filled with light and with their camera they could no longer see what was happening.
They ran to the room to see what was causing so much light to appear in their camera. They discovered that the dying man was being given Holy Communion. Afterwards with their camera they could see that the aura around him was brighter.
Although in his fifties, the scientist conducting the experiment decided to become a priest after witnessing that.
~ Excerpt from a homily by Father Tommy Lane
Now, that’s not an official Eucharistic Miracle, but the scientist who dedicated his life to God afterwards certainly believed it.
It’s this powerful light that Pope John Paul II chose to center his new Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary on. He introduced the new mystery on October 16, 2002 in his Apostolic Letter called Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Rosary of the Virgin Mary in English. Sunday will be the 20th anniversary of the Luminous Mysteries.
Last week we reflected on the Glorious Mysteries. In keeping with our focus on the Rosary during the month of the Holy Rosary, this week’s issue of Genuflect is shining a light on the Luminous Mysteries: their origins, why pray them, and in-depth meditations, reflections, and explanations for each of the 5 mysteries.
Hopefully by shining our light on the Luminous Mysteries here, your reflection on them will be all that more powerful.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
P. S. Check out our other Rosary reflections: The Glorious Mysteries, The Joyful Mysteries, and The Sorrowful Mysteries.
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The History of the Luminous Mysteries
If you’re unfamiliar with the Luminous Mysteries or don’t know much about them, don’t feel bad. They’ve only been around since 2002 when Pope John Paul II introduced them. But JPII was not the first one to propose the Luminous Mysteries. Here’s what we know.
Pope John Paul II Wasn’t The First to Propose Luminous Mysteries For The Rosary | Aleteia
John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter
John Paul II opened the 25th year of his Pontificate by publishing this Apostolic Letter entitled Rosarium Virginis Mariae. In it he introduced the Luminous Mysteries and explains how he believes it fills the gap “of Christ’s public ministry between his Baptism and his Passion” that the traditional Mysteries leave out.
Rosarium Virginis Mariae on the Most Holy Rosary (October 16, 2002) | John Paul II | The Vatican
Why Pray The Luminous Mysteries
Some traditional Catholics are critical of making a change to the Holy Rosary Mysteries that have been around since 1214. Scott Eric Alt addresses the objections head on and explains why he prays the Luminous Mysteries.
I Never Understood Why we Pray The Luminous Mysteries, Until Now! | Epic Pew
The First Luminous Mystery
Here’s an in-depth look at the first Luminous Mystery, the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan. You’ll find Scriptural references, meditation, and reflections by several Catholic sources.
The Baptism of Jesus – 1st Luminous Mystery of the Rosary | Totus2Us
The Baptism of Jesus Christ
We tend to focus on the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus at his baptism. Joe Paprocki highlights a lesser-known fact about the event. One that you may want to consider as you reflect on this first Luminous Mystery.
The Luminous Mysteries: The Baptism of Jesus And How God Entered The Muck | Catechist’s Journey
The Second Luminous Mystery
The Wedding at Cana is the second Luminous Mystery. Take a look at Totus2us’ information, including a Scriptural reference, meditation, and a couple of reflections.
The Wedding at Cana – 2nd Luminous Mystery of the Rosary | Totus2Us
The Wedding at Cana
We all know the story of how Jesus began his public ministry at the wedding at Cana upon the encouragement of his mother. Father Leszek Czelusniak explains how it’s an example of hope and joy … and what we can learn by reflecting on Mary’s actions.
The Second Luminous Mystery, the Wedding at Cana: ‘What a Wonderful Image of Hope’ | The Divine Mercy
The Third Luminous Mystery
The third Luminous Mystery is the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the Call to Conversion of Heart. Totus2us provides the Scriptural reference, prayer, meditation, and a reflection to give us a deeper understanding of this mystery.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God & Call to Conversion – 3rd Luminous Mystery | Totus2Us
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
About this Luminous Mystery, Will Duquette says, “It seems nebulous and ill-defined and hard to grab hold of, and the reason isn’t far to seek.” And he’s right. Fortunately, he also explains more about what it means.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom: The Mystery of Preaching | Catholic Mom
The Fourth Luminous Mystery
Here you’ll find a scriptural reference, meditation, prayer and some reflections on the fourth Luminous Mystery, the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor.
The Transfiguration – 4th Luminous Mystery of the Rosary | Totus2Us
The Transfiguration
I agree with Sherry Antonetti … the Transfiguration is still a bit of a mystery. If it is for you as well, her epiphany may be helpful to you as you reflect on the Fourth Luminous Mystery.
The 4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration of Our Lord | National Catholic Register
The Fifth Luminous Mystery
And just like the other Mysteries, here Totus2us provides a Scriptural reference, meditation, and a couple of reflections on the fifth Luminous Mystery, the Institution of the Eucharist.
The Institution of the Eucharist – 5th Luminous Mystery of the Rosary | Totus2Us
The Institution of the Holy Eucharist
We’re all very familiar with the Holy Eucharist and are reminded about its institution at Mass. Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble shares 10 effects of the Eucharist. How many of these do you know?
10 Amazing Facts About The Power of The Eucharist | Aleteia
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How to Pray The Holy Rosary
Follow these step-by-step instructions for praying the Holy Rosary, including the Creed, the Fatima Prayer, the optional Eternal Rest Prayer, and each of the Divine Mysteries, but especially the Luminous Mysteries. You’ll find everything you need to pray the Rosary here.
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