In the course of those mysteries we contemplate important aspects of the person of Christ as the definitive revelation of God. Declared the beloved Son of the Father at the Baptism in the Jordan, Christ is the one who announces the coming of the Kingdom, bears witness to it in his works and proclaims its demands. It is during the years of his public ministry that the mystery of Christ is most evidently a mystery of light: "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:5).

Knowing that He would soon ascend to heaven, Jesus passed these mysteries onto us (cf. Matthew 5:14-16). He said:

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."

The pope, in quoting Blessed Bartolo Longo (see para. 15), inspires us to remember as we pray through the mysteries of the life of Christ that the Rosary should transform us, conforming us more into the likeness of Christ. The mysteries of the Rosary describe our own spiritual journey:

"Just as two friends, frequently in each other's company, tend to develop similar habits, so too, by holding familiar converse with Jesus and the Blessed Virgin, by meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary and by living the same life in Holy Communion, we can become, to the extent of our lowliness, similar to them and can learn from these supreme models a life of humility, poverty, hiddenness, patience and perfection". (I Quindici Sabati del Santissimo Rosario, 27th ed., Pompei, 1916, 27.)

Therefore, this Rosary, as presented by the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, includes prayers and scriptures that will lead you on the journey of holiness, burning out your impurities with the flame of Christ so that He shines more brightly within you. The conversion of the world occurs one person at a time, beginning with each one of us who take this prayer seriously. As the light of Christ within us glows brighter, the darkness in the world around us diminishes. Gradually, our world is consumed by Christ. It starts with us and spreads. As we are converted by meditating on and learning from the life of Christ, so too is the world converted.

Please also pray this Rosary to intercede for others, significantly for those you know who need the light of Christ to drive out their darkness, and likewise for the whole world. As Pope John Paul II wrote in his apostolic letter:

"The Church has always attributed particular efficacy to this prayer, entrusting to the Rosary ... the most difficult problems. At times when Christianity itself seemed under threat, its deliverance was attributed to the power of this prayer, and Our Lady of the Rosary was acclaimed as the one whose intercession brought salvation." (para. 39)

The Baptism in the Jordan is first of all a mystery of light. Here, as Christ descends into the waters, the innocent one who became "sin" for our sake (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21), the heavens open wide and the voice of the Father declares him the beloved Son (cf. Matt. 3:17 and parallels), while the Spirit descends on him to invest him with the mission which he is to carry out. (Pope John Paul II, The Rosary of the Virgin Mary, para. 21)

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.... After Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water, and the heavens opened up for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending upon him like a dove. A voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Matt. 3:13,17)

The Lord Jesus came to each of us in our baptisms. When you were baptized, the Holy Spirit descended upon you, and the Father said, "This is my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased!" Thus, you became the light of Christ to shine in the world. You have been invested with the mission of this light!

Hail Mary, full of grace...
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Hail Mary, full of grace...
Hail Mary, full of grace...

Glory be to the Father ....