Expanding the Mysteries of the Rosary: An Additional Way to Pray

By Sister Elizabeth Slenker, OP

This book is a journey of many years. I became inspired to create these additional sets of Mysteries of the Rosary because many parts of the Gospel stories are not included in the original Mysteries, the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Sets. Each of these sets of different presentations of five Mysteries offers prayerful insight that can lead one closer to the life of Jesus and his friends, how he spent his time, and lovingly taught us to live. I hope my prayer journey will inspire you to look more closely at the Gospel stories. Perhaps you will create your own sets of Mysteries. Even if you do not say the Our Father, the ten Hail Mary’s and the Glory Be, for each of the offerings, you can use this book as a resource to find in the Gospels your way to God. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Release date: Apr 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9781977274564

Sister Elizabeth Slenker, OP

Sister Elizabeth Slenker, OP, (Order of Preachers) has been a Dominican religious for many years. Tradition holds Our Blessed Mother, Mary, gave the Rosary to Saint Dominic. She told him that by saying the Rosary “you will obtain an abundant harvest of souls.” Throughout her life Elizabeth has found peace in praying the Rosary. She has been collecting different passages from the Gospels and creating new Mysteries of the Rosary. She wishes to share her prayer with others who desire to grow closer to the Divine through reflection on the Scriptures and relating it to the Rosary. 

Book preview

Expanding the Mysteries of the Rosary

An Additional Way to Pray

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2024 Elizabeth Slenker, OP

A Sparkill Dominican

v4.0

The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Cover and interior images © 2024 Elizabeth Slenker. All rights reserved - used with permission.

Bible references taken from The New Jerusalem Bible, Revised, 1985. ISBN 0385-19174-X

Outskirts Press and the OP logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Expanded Mysteries of the Rosary are an attempt to further the understanding of the power of praying the Rosary. This prayer was given to St. Dominic in the 13th Century as a form of prayer to establish the Reign of God for all people and Creation on this earth. Our Blessed Mother said to Dominic,

"… preach my Psalter composed of the Angelic Salutation and Our Father, and you will obtain an abundant harvest (of souls)."

The Expanded Mysteries examine the lives of those who walked the earth with Jesus. Among them are the Blessed Mother Mary and others mentioned in the Scriptures and how they lived the Gospel values.

As a member of the Dominican Order this is my attempt to enhance the prayer of others by linking related Gospel stories, Encyclicals or Dogmas of faith defined by different Popes in relation to the Rosary. The Expanded Mysteries are grouped into different categories as ways to enable others to pray the Rosary and gain insight into this devotion so close to our Blessed Mother.

Those who pray the Rosary are familiar with the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous Mysteries (added by Pope John Paul II in 2002) that tell of interactions Jesus had with others during his life. The purpose of the Expanded Mysteries of the Rosary is to increase devotion to our Blessed Mother and Jesus.

The following groups of mysteries are used to expand and meditate upon the lives of Jesus, Mary and the people with whom Jesus interacted during his life. Accompanying each Mystery is a Biblical reference, or Doctrine of the Church to rationalize each Mystery. There is an illustration depicting the occasion and a prayerful meditation. May these drawings and prayers inspire you with more devotion to your recitation of the Rosary. The book begins with the traditional mysteries then offers the expanded ones.

(This image of Our Lady of the Rosary was created by Sr. Mary Jean Dorsey, OP, Adrian Dominican)

Table of Contents

The Joyful Mysteries

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Glorious Mysteries

The Luminous Mysteries

Attributes of Jesus

Mary’s Qualities

Joseph’s Virtues

Wonder Mysteries

Cures of Jesus

Jesus and the Women

Jesus and the Children

The Five Wounds of Jesus

Mary’s Journeys

Jesus’ Friends

Jesus’ Last Words

The Titles of Jesus

Prayers of the Rosary

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all those who pray the Rosary. I would like to especially honor my mother, who taught me the importance of prayer.

All images in this book have been drawn or photographed by the author, except where specified.