The Luminous mysteries draw attention to significant events in the life our Lord, specifically the
Baptism in the Jordan
The Wedding at Cana
Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist
The Luminious mysteries were instituted on 16 October 2002 by the Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, among the many important things the late pontiff wrote about the rosary is his letter is this:
"To pray the Rosary for children, and even more, with children, training them from their earliest years to experience this daily 'pause for prayer' with the family, is admittedly not the solution to every problem, but it is a spiritual aid which should not be underestimated. It could be objected that the Rosary seems hardly suited to the taste of children and young people of today. But perhaps the objection is directed to an impoverished method of praying it. Furthermore, without prejudice to the Rosary's basic structure, there is nothing to stop children and young people from praying it – either within the family or in groups – with appropriate symbolic and practical aids to understanding and appreciation. Why not try it? With God's help, a pastoral approach to youth which is positive, impassioned and creative – as shown by the World Youth Days! – is capable of achieving quite remarkable results. If the Rosary is well presented, I am sure that young people will once more surprise adults by the way they make this prayer their own and recite it with the enthusiasm typical of their age group."
Today also marks the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, a Doctor of the Church and our beloved Little Flower.
Veni Sancti Spiritus, veni per Mariam.