The fifth set of mysteries, "Mysteries of the Sabbath," considers the interval between the Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries,
the time of Holy Saturday, often neglected, yet which comprises important aspects of the Paschal Mystery.
First Mystery: Piercing (Oct 21)
“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:31-32)
Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. (John 19:31)
Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. (John 19:32-33)
Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (John 19:34)
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast. (Ps. 22:14)
(He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) (John 19:35)
These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” (John 19:36)
And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” (John 19:37)
This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. (1 John 5:6)
There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. (1 John 5:7-8)
O God, Father of mercies,
whose Only Begotten Son, as he hung upon the Cross,
chose the Blessed Virgin Mary, his Mother,
to be our Mother also,
grant, we pray, that with her loving help
your Church may be more fruitful day by day
and, exulting in the holiness of her children,
may draw to her embrace all the families of the peoples.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Image and Mother of the Church I)
Second Mystery: Deposition (Oct 22)
When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple, came. (Mt 27:57)
This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up. (Mt 27:58)
Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long. (Mk 15:44)
When he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. (Mk 15:45)
Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. (Mt 27:59)
Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds. (Jn 19:39)
It was the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near. (Lk 23:54)
Then, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand), they laid Jesus there. (Jn 19:42)
Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden. In the garden was a new tomb in which no man had ever yet been laid. (Jn 19:41)
The women who had come with him out of Galilee followed after, and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. (Lk 23:55)
Lord God,
you have shown us in the Blessed Virgin Mary
the model of sublime love and profound humility;
grant that your Church may be like her,
obedient to your commandment of love,
so that by giving itself wholeheartedly
to seeking your glory and to serving others
it may stand before all peoples
as the sacrament of your love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Image and Mother of the Church II)