Saints & Skeptics Prayer Series - The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary - The Joyful Mysteries (Mondays & Saturdays)

The rosary is a Marian prayer that depicts the biblical life of Jesus. The word "rosary" derives from the Latin word "rosarium", meaning a garden of roses. Tradition tells us that Our lady appeared to St. Dominic while he prayed in the forest. "My son", the Queen of Heaven said, "prayer and penance are the only way to win souls". 

The Rosary is a deeply meditative Catholic prayer that reflects on key events in the life of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. These events are organized into four sets of "mysteries": the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries. Each set contains five individual mysteries (or events), making a total of 20. These mysteries are not just historical events but theological meditations meant to lead the faithful into a deeper relationship with Christ.

The Joyful Mysteries reflect on the joyful events surrounding the Incarnation of Jesus.These mysteries show how God's plan unfolds through humble, obedient human cooperation, especially in Mary. They are prayed on Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays during Advent.

Saints & Skeptics Prayer Series - The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary - The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)

The rosary is a Marian prayer that depicts the biblical life of Jesus. The word "rosary" derives from the Latin word "rosarium", meaning a garden of roses. Tradition tells us that Our lady appeared to St. Dominic while he prayed in the forest. "My son", the Queen of Heaven said, "prayer and penance are the only way to win souls". 

The Rosary is a deeply meditative Catholic prayer that reflects on key events in the life of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. These events are organized into four sets of "mysteries": the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries. Each set contains five individual mysteries (or events), making a total of 20. These mysteries are not just historical events but theological meditations meant to lead the faithful into a deeper relationship with Christ.

The Luminous Mysteries highlight Christ’s public ministry and illuminate how Christ revealed himself and the Father, inviting us into the life of grace. These mysteries and are prayed on Thursdays.

On this episode of Saints and Skeptics we ask "What was the Second Vatican Council, or what is commonly referred to as Vatican II? What did they discuss there? Who was involved? And most importantly, so many people reference changes to the Catholic Church that were supposedly made during the Second Vatican Council, but what actually was the result of the council? What has changed since then?"


Lets find out!

Citations from this episode:

1. CCC 891
2. GAUDET MATER ECCLESIA
3. Inter Oecumenici
4. The Spirit of the Liturgy, Joseph Ratzinger
5. Musicam Sacram

Saints & Skeptics Prayer Series - The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary - The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays & Fridays)


The rosary is a Marian prayer that depicts the biblical life of Jesus. The word "rosary" derives from the Latin word "rosarium", meaning a garden of roses. Tradition tells us that Our lady appeared to St. Dominic while he prayed in the forest. "My son", the Queen of Heaven said, "prayer and penance are the only way to win souls". 


The Rosary is a deeply meditative Catholic prayer that reflects on key events in the life of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. These events are organized into four sets of "mysteries": the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries. Each set contains five individual mysteries (or events), making a total of 20. These mysteries are not just historical events but theological meditations meant to lead the faithful into a deeper relationship with Christ.


The Sorrowful Mysteries focus on the Passion and the suffering of Jesus. They are said on Tuesdays and Fridays (and Sundays during Lent).

Saints & Skeptics Prayer Series - The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary - The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays & Sundays)

The rosary is a Marian prayer that depicts the biblical life of Jesus. The word "rosary" derives from the Latin word "rosarium", meaning a garden of roses. Tradition tells us that Our lady appeared to St. Dominic while he prayed in the forest. "My son", the Queen of Heaven said, "prayer and penance are the only way to win souls". 

The Rosary is a deeply meditative Catholic prayer that reflects on key events in the life of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. These events are organized into four sets of "mysteries": the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries. Each set contains five individual mysteries (or events), making a total of 20. These mysteries are not just historical events but theological meditations meant to lead the faithful into a deeper relationship with Christ.

The Glorious Mysteries celebrate Christ’s Resurrection and the glory of eternal life and are said on Wednesdays and Sundays (except in Advent and Lent).

Saints & Skeptics Prayer Series - The Jesus Prayer


Recited five times. 


To follow along:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Amen

On this episode of Saints and Skeptics we ask "What exactly is the “abuse” thats taking place in the Ordinary Form of the Mass? And what about these abuses are driving people towards the Extraordinary Form of the Mass?"


Lets find out!

Citations from this episode:

1. https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2025/09/pope-leo-speaks-to-cruxs-elise-ann-allen-about-lgbtq-issues-and-the-liturgy
   
   
2. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html
   
   
3. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html#Chapter%20II

On this episode of Saints and Skeptics we ask "Was Jesus married? If so, to whom? Did he have children with this individual? What happened to them after his crucifixion and death?"

Lets find out!



Citations from this episode:

1. Matthew 19:12 (RSV-CE)
2. Luke 9:58
3. De Sancta Virginitate (On Holy Virginity) 
4. Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), §1579
5. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/22/books/the-last-word-the-da-vinci-con.html

Saints & Skeptics Prayer Series - The Hail Mary

Recited five times. 

To follow along:

Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

In this episode of Saints and Skeptics we ask "What is a liturgical rite or pariticular church? The Catholic Church is said to be “one, universal church”, but if that's the case then why are there 24 different particular churches within it? What's the difference between someone who is a part of the Latin Rite and someone who is a part of the Hungarian Greek Rite, or any of the other rites for that matter?"


Lets find out!