A decade of Luminous Mysteries

It’s ten years ago today that Pope John Paul II introduced the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary to the Catholic faithful, with his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae. He published the document on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his election to the papacy, so it really was in a sense a very personal gift of the Pope to his people. He wrote:

With these words, dear brothers and sisters, I set the first year of my Pontificate within the daily rhythm of the Rosary. Today, as I begin the twenty-fifth year of my service as the Successor of Peter, I wish to do the same. How many graces have I received in these years from the Blessed Virgin through the Rosary: Magnificat anima mea Dominum! I wish to lift up my thanks to the Lord in the words of his Most Holy Mother, under whose protection I have placed my Petrine ministry: Totus Tuus!

Today is, in my opinion, a moment to give thanks for this gift, one that I have myself enjoyed and benefitted spiritually from in an ongoing way. I know many, many others would heartily agree.

The entire letter is well worth another look!