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The Crucifixion
Rosary

The Crucifixion

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The Crucifixion is the Fifth Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary, a meditation on the Gospel accounts of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross at Calvary. This pivotal moment in salvation history is the ultimate act of God's love, offered for the forgiveness of sins and the redemption of humanity.

Prayer Text

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery. The Crucifixion. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfil the scripture, “They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), “I thirst.” A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished”; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

What is the The Crucifixion?

The scriptural basis for this mystery is found in all four Gospels (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19). While devotion to the Rosary developed over centuries, the 15 mysteries, including the Crucifixion, were formally established by Pope St. Pius V in the 16th century. This meditation focuses the mind on the central event of the Paschal Mystery, which the Church celebrates as the source of our salvation.

What does the The Crucifixion mean?

This mystery reveals the depth of God's love and the gravity of sin. Christ's death is not a defeat but a victory over sin and death. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "Christ's death is both the Paschal sacrifice that accomplishes the definitive redemption of men... and the sacrifice of the New Covenant" (CCC 616). By meditating on His sacrifice, we are called to repentance, gratitude, and a deeper love for God and neighbor.

When Do Catholics Pray the The Crucifixion?

The Sorrowful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays, and throughout the season of Lent. The Crucifixion is an especially powerful meditation on Good Friday. It is often prayed for the grace of final perseverance, for those who are dying, for the conversion of sinners, and for a deeper understanding of Christ's sacrifice in one's own life. It is the summit of the Sorrowful Mysteries.

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