Meditate on the Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Olives in the Prayer of the Rosary

The agony of Jesus in the garden of olive trees is the first sorrowful mystery that the Church offers us to meditate on. The sorrowful mysteries are part of the history of the rosary. Initially, the rosary consisted of three rosaries before Pope John Paul II added the luminous mysteries. The agony of Jesus in the garden of olives brings us into the beginning of the passion of Christ. Each of the sorrowful mysteries invites us to reflect on our lives and how we can fight against temptations and our relationship with suffering. 

What is the first sorrowful mystery?

Through Saint Luke's account of the agony of Jesus, we can read and meditate on the words that Jesus said to his disciples at the beginning of his passion after the time of the supper and the institution of the Eucharist.

The story of the agony of Jesus in the Bible

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

(Luke 22:39-47)

When and How to Recite the First Sorrowful Mystery

The agony of Jesus in the Garden of Olives is followed by four other mysteries: the whipping, the crowning of thorns, the bearing of the cross, and the crucifixion. These sorrowful mysteries lead us to the death of Christ on the cross. The sorrowful mysteries allow us to accompany Christ during His Passion when we recite them on Tuesday or Friday.

The fruit of the mystery proposed to us by the agony of Jesus is the contrition of our faults. This mystery of the rosary is also an invitation to go through the trials of our lives in trust. These are graces that we can ask for during each decade of the rosary. 

Meditations and Quotes on the Pain of Jesus

Fighting our temptations

“A Christian must always be ready for battle. It is in the fight that we prove our love to God and in the acceptance of the pains that He sends u”" (Saint Curé d 'Ars) " It is beautiful to be able to confess our sins and to hear the forgiveness and joy of God [...] as a balm that floods us with mercy and puts us back on the roa”" (Saint John Paul II)

Go through trials in trust in God

Lord, even if the sufferings I endure are excessive, even if I lack courage, even if I ardently wish “that this cup pass from me” No, I say, I no longer despair, provided, however, I also know how to add: “Yet not my will, but yours be done” I do not refuse trials even though I may need to be comforted! How can I not recognize in my cry the very cry of the Savior, and I despair of salvation?“ (Saint Bernard of Clairvaux)

Keep praying the Rosary on Hozana and Rosario

You can continue your prayer on Hozana by signing up for different prayer communities: 

• The Rosary of Divine Mercy allows you to pray while meditating on the passion of Christ. 
• You can also take the time to follow a path to be guided in praying the rosary.
• Try this community to answer the Pope’s call for prayer. 

By downloading the Rosario application, created by Hozana, you can meditate the rosary according to your preferences. You will also have the opportunity to set prayer intentions via this application.