Celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception by praying the Joyful Mysteries with your students. Prior to doing so, have the students choose and print a photo to represent each of the Joyful Mysteries: for example, a photo of them with their cousin could represent the Visitation, a photo of them as a newborn could represent the birth of Christ. Or, a photo could represent a virtue of the mystery. For example, a magazine photo of someone donating time or talent to a cause could represent Mary's generosity in undertaking the trip to visit her cousin Elizabeth.
The students should have five photos. Have them arrange the photos 1 to 5 in order of the five Joyful Mysteries. Tell them to bring the photos to an area reserved for prayer.
Have the students sit in small groups of five students each.
Go over the format for praying the Joyful Mysteries using the photos.
- You will lead the Apostles' Creed, the Our Father, three Hail Mary's and a Glory Be to begin the Rosary.
- You will announce the first Joyful Mystery, the Annunciation, and read the Scripture passage (see below).
- Each person will begin passing their first photo around the circle as you lead the recitation of the ten Hail Mary's for the first Joyful Mystery. The students should respond: "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen"
- Continue with the same format for the other Joyful Mysteries. After the fifth Joyful Mystery, lead an Our Father and Glory Be, and pray aloud the Salve Regina ("Hail, Holy Queen") to conclude.
First Joyful Mystery The Annunciation
Then Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done according to your word." (Lk 1:38)
Second Joyful Mystery The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Lk :42)
Third Joyful Mystery The Birth of Jesus
And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (Jn 1:14)
Fourth Joyful Mystery The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Lk 2:34)
Fifth Joyful Mystery The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Lk 2:49)
