“If priests and religious have an obligation to meditate on the great truths of our holy religion in order to live up to their vocation worthily, the same obligation, then, is just as much incumbent upon the laity — because of the fact that every day they meet with spiritual dangers which might make them lose their souls. Therefore they should arm themselves with the frequent meditation on the life, virtues and sufferings of Our Blessed Lord — which are so beautifully contained in the ... mysteries of the Holy Rosary.”
St. Louis de Montfort

"And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart."
Luke 2:19

The Joyful Mysteries (Monday, Saturday)

1. The Annuciation - The Archangel Gabriel seeks permission of the Virgin to become the Mother of the Savior by the Holy Spirit
2. The Visitation -  Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth;  John the Baptist is sanctified by Our Lord in the womb.
3. The Nativity of Our Lord - Our Lord is born at Bethlehem
4. The Presentation in the Temple - Mary and Joseph obey the Jewish Law by bringing the infant Jesus to the Temple;  Simeon and Anna declare His messiahship.  
5. The Finding of our Lord in the Temple - Jesus is "lost" for three days, and the 12 year-old boy is discovered by Mary and Joseph teaching the Temple elders. 

The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday, Friday)

1. The Agony in the Garden - Jesus counters the disobedience of Adam by obeying the Father's will, as the Cross draws near.
2. The Scourging at the Pillar - Jesus is whipped by Pilate's soldiers
3. The Crowning of Thorns - Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns by Pilate's soldiers
4. The Carrying of the Cross - Jesus embraces the instrument of His death and carries it to Golgotha.
5. The Crucifixion of Our Lord - The Paschal Sacrifice is complete;  Our Lord cries out, and the universe is forever changed.

The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)

1. The Baptism of Our Lord - Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist;  the voice of the Father identifies His Son to John the Baptist.
2. The Wedding at Cana - Mary intercedes for the bride and the groom;  the wedding feast in heaven is about to begin, by virtue of Our Lord's first miracle.
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom - Jesus announces Himself and the Kingdom of God, and calls the Jews to conversion.
4. The Transfiguration - Peter, James, and John witness Our Lord transformed in Glory before Moses and Elijah;  the voice of the Father rings forth, identifying to them His Son.
5. The Institution of the Holy Eucharist - The Last Supper is the first Mass;  Jesus transubstantiates bread and wine into his Body and Blood, and directs his first priests to "do this in memory of me".  

The Glorious Mysteries (Sundays, Wednesdays)

1. The Resurrection - Jesus raises Himself from the Dead.
2. The Ascension of Our Lord - Our Lord returns body-and-soul to the throne prepared for Him, from which He rules the universe this very day.
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit Upon the Apostles - The Paraclete comes to the weak and frightened Apostles, and instills them with the fortitude and knowledge to "go and make disciples of all nations". 
4. The Assumption of Our Blessed Mother - At the moment of her death, Our Lady is taken body-and-soul into Heaven, where she sits at the right hand of Her Son, interceding for us.
5. The Crowning of Our Lady Queen of Heaven and Earth - Mary is the Woman of Revelation, crowned with Twelve Stars and at war with the Dragon.  Her Queenship is absolute.