Joyful Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary Quiz

Answer: 5

The first Mystery is the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she is to be the Mother of Christ and there are four more Mysteries (see below) leading through to when Jesus was twelve years old. We are thinking and meditating on what we know about Jesus's private life before and while he was preparing for His public Ministry.

Answer: The Blessed Virgin Mary

Please see Luke 1:38. This was the response that Mary gave the Angel Gabriel on being told that she was to be the Mother of God. Her cousin Elizabeth was to say to her later in her pregnancy "And blessed in she who has believed, because the things promised her by the Lord shall be accomplished" (Luke 1:45).

Answer: The Annunciation

The Immaculate Conception refers to Our Lady being conceived free of original sin in the womb of her mother Saint Anne. The Annunciation refers to the Angel Gabriel visiting Mary and saying "Do not be afraid, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son and thou shalt call His name Jesus.

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High..." (Luke 1:30-32).

Answer: Saint Joseph

The Angel Gabriel said after being asked by Mary how the conception would happen "The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; and therefore the Holy One to be born shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35). Mary was a virgin, but betrothed (promised in marriage) to Joseph. Joseph also had a visitation from an angel (see Matthew 1:18-25) and thus knew of what was to happen.

In the culture of the time Mary would certainly have been put to death for being pregnant outside marriage.

However, the Angels ensured that both Mary and Joseph understood what was needed of them to accomplish the Divine will.

Answer: The Visitation

Mary went in haste to the hill country and visited Elizabeth. Please see Luke 1:39-56. " And it came to pass, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe in her womb leapt (John the Baptist was in Elizabeth's womb). And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb! and how have I deserved that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" This was the Visitation. Imagine how Mary must have pondered this greeting so perfectly given and with no introduction from Mary. Mary responded with the words of the Magnificat glorifying God (please see Luke 1:46-56). Saint Luke says Mary remained with Elizabeth three months and then returned home to Nazareth.

Answer: Nazareth

Please see Luke 1:26-27. Nazareth is in Galilee and still exists today.

Answer: in Bethlehem

A census was being carried out and Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem because Saint Joseph was of the House of David (please see Luke 2:1-7) and Bethlehem is the town of David. Jesus was born in a stable, because there was no other accommodation available. Immense care was taken by God to ensure that Jesus's mother and step-father were carefully chosen and prepared. God was less concerned it would appear about physical comfort for His Son than about the vital issue of His spiritual protection and care.

The Nativity (birth of Christ) is the third Joyful Mystery of the Most Holy Rosary.

Answer: Herod's soldiers

Please see Matthew 2:1-12 for the Magi and Luke 2:8-20 for the shepherds. It is a clear statement of the person that Jesus was that even at His birth he had humble shepherds and also wise men in His presence. Traditionally He shared His bedroom with the animals of the stable and God's creation in its most natural form was around Him and the stable.

The beauties of the Heavens were literally shining upon Him. All that was good in creation surrounded Him and Herod was outwitted.

Answer: King Herod was slaying all the young boys.

Please see Matthew 2:13-18. Saint Joseph was warned in a dream by God that Herod was about to seek Jesus to kill Him. He escaped with the mother and child by night. Herod being exceedingly angry at having been tricked by the Magi (who were going to report where Jesus was and didn't) ordered and carried out the slaughter of all male children under two years old in Bethlehem and all its neighbourhood.
Clearly evil was ripe under Herod and with the beauty of the baby Jesus the Satanic forces roared their vengeance on every young male in the vicinity.

Answer: Yes

This is Catholic Church dogma and although the Popes rarely speak in dogmatic terms this fact is central to Catholicism. Perhaps it can best be expressed by a prayer used in a novena for the canonization of Cardinal John Newman - "When we confess God as omnipotent only we have gained but a half-knowledge of Him.

His is an omnipotence which can at the same time swathe itself in infirmity and become the captive of His own creatures. He has, if I may so speak, the incomprehensible power of even making Himself weak. We must know Him by His names Emmanuel and Jesus to know Him perfectly".

Answer: at the Temple in Jerusalem

In accordance with Jewish law Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord and to offer the appropriate sacrifice. The "Presentation in the Temple" is the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Most Holy Rosary.

Answer: Simeon

Simeon was a holy man in Jerusalem who God had promised him that he would see Jesus before he died. Guided by the Holy Spirit he was drawn to the Temple as Jesus was about to be presented there. His words included "Now Thy dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word, in peace; because my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou has prepared before the face of all peoples: a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory for Thy people Israel." "Behold the child is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted" Please see Luke 2:25-35.

Answer: Anna

Anna never left the Temple with fasting and prayers and worshipping night and day. Please see Luke 2:36-38. "She began to give praise to the Lord and spoke of Him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem". How blessed are those who have not seen and yet still believe and Mary the Mother of Jesus pondered all these words and events in her heart.

Answer: 3 days

Jesus's parents had according to custom gone to Jerusalem for the Passover. While travelling home in a caravan of people they discovered that He was missing. After three days they found Him, still in Jerusalem, talking to the teachers at the Temple (Luke 2:46). This "Finding of Jesus in the Temple" is the fifth Joyful Mystery of the Most Holy Rosary.

Answer: "How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"

Please see Luke 2:41-51. Mary the Mother of Jesus was left to ponder these words and happenings. Also, Luke says that (after these events) "And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them (His parents).... and Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and grace before God and men".

The Bible tells us nothing more about Jesus from this time (Jesus is twelve years old) until His public ministry at the age of 30. However, following the death of Saint Joseph His foster father, by Jewish tradition He must have cared for His mother and family. Mary was to lose her Son again at the crucifixion, but to be reunited with Him after a similar period of absence. God prepares people in so many miraculous ways.