It's almost Oct. 7 — the feast of Our Lady of Rosary in the Year of the Rosary.

Pope John Paul II declared the Year of the Rosary last year in his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae (The Rosary of the Virgin Mary), which also includes the Holy Father's presentation of a new set of rosary mysteries, which he calls “Mysteries of Light” or “Luminous Mysteries.”

It has always been tradition when reciting the rosary and mediating on the mysteries to seek a particular virtue or grace appropriate for the particular mystery being prayerfully considered. As the Holy Father put it, “It is worthwhile to note that the contemplation of the mysteries could better express their full spiritual fruitfulness if an effort were made to conclude each mystery with a prayer for the fruits specific to that particular mystery. In this way, the rosary could better express its connection with the Christian life” (Rosarium, No. 35).

In the Joyful Mysteries, the Annunciation leads us to contemplate humility; the Visitation, charity toward one's neighbor; the Nativity, a spirit of poverty; the Presentation in the Temple, obedience to God's law; and the Finding of Our Lord in the Temple, piety.

In the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Agony in the Garden seeks sorrow for our sins; the Scourging at the Pillar purity; the Crowning with Thorns moral courage; the Carrying of the Cross patience; and the Crucifixion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross the grace of final perseverance.

In the Glorious Mysteries, the Resurrection leads us to meditate on the virtue of faith; the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven on hope; the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles on charity; the Assumption of Mary into Heaven on devotion to Mary; and the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth on eternal happiness.

It is easy to see how the Luminous Mysteries fill out the life of Christ and Mary by providing the bridge between the Joyful and the Sorrowful Mysteries. I would like to propose for consideration an appropriate set of virtues or graces to be associated with these new Luminous Mysteries. The first Luminous Mystery: the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. The Pope, in this mystery, reminds us that we are all called to be sons of the Son, as the Holy Spirit invests Jesus with his mission in obedience to the Father. I propose that the virtue to be sought in the light of this mystery be fidelity to one's Christian vocation.

The second Luminous Mystery: Jesus' self-manifestation at the Wedding Feast at Cana. Our Holy Father in this mystery reflects that the great sign of turning water into wine was worked through Mary's intercession. This sign opened the hearts of his disciples to believe in Jesus and his mission. I propose that the virtue for this mystery be the gift of discipleship.

The third Luminous Mystery: the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion. The Holy Father in this mystery links the particular passage of the proclamation of the Kingdom specifically to repentance and the forgiveness of sins. We are called to reflect upon Jesus' ministry of mercy. I propose that for this mystery one seek metanoia, a conversion of heart. This is particularly to be achieved through the frequent and devout reception of the sacrament of penance, in which we receive the mercy of Christ as we are restored through his grace as healthy members of his body within his Kingdom.

The fourth Luminous Mystery: the Transfiguration. The Pope in this great mystery tells us that the divinity of Christ shines forth from his glorious face. We also are reminded of the Heavenly Father's pleasure in his Son, and we are commanded to “listen to him.” I propose that for this mystery we ask for the gift of contemplation of Christ's divinity. This gift of the Father working through the Holy Spirit allows us to unite ourselves with the three apostles and recognize that Christ is a divine person whose divine nature is hypostati-cally united to his human nature. The divine approval coming from the Father as well will enable us to be strengthened like the apostles during times of difficulty and suffering. What a great consolation it is to know that in being faithful to Christ, we are being faithful to God made man.

And finally, the fifth Luminous Mystery: the gift of the Eucharist, the great sacrament of his love. Our Holy Father in his April encyclical on the Eucharist, Ecclesia de Eucharistia (The Church in Relation to the Eucharist), tells us, “By giving the Eucharist the prominence it deserves and by being careful not to diminish any of its dimensions or demands, we show that we are truly conscious of the greatness of the gift” (Eucharistia, No. 61). He goes on to remind us all that “no one is permitted to undervalue the mystery entrusted to our hands: It is too great for anyone to feel free to treat it lightly and with disregard for its sacredness and its universality” (Eucharistia, No. 52). I propose that the virtue for this mystery be reverence for the Blessed Sacrament in light of the powerful teaching of the Church and our Holy Father.

As we move closer to the end of this Year of the Rosary, which concludes Oct. 16,I challenge you to rediscover the rosary, if you haven't done so already. Then, in the midst of this apostate age, we will all move closer to that new springtime foreseen by the Holy Father by contemplating “the beauty of that face and the depth of his love.”

Timothy O'Donnell is president of Christendom College.