The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)
Pray the Rosary Like Never Before
About the show
In Ascension’s Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, guides listeners in a step-by-step journey that will change the way you pray – no matter where you are in your spiritual life.
By starting small and adding on over time, listeners will find themselves falling more in love with this powerful Marian devotion, becoming a source of grace for the whole world.
Listen to discover….
How to build a daily habit of prayer
How to form a relationship with Jesus and Mary
The Biblical foundations of the Rosary
How to meditate with sacred art (visio divina), saint writings, and scripture (lectio divina)
The power of Mary’s influence in your life
…and more.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
Episodes
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Day 92: Waiting in the Temple
April 2nd, 2025 | 14 mins 50 secs
ascension, catholic church, catholic faith, distractions, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, joyful, joyful mysteries, prayer, presentation, presentation in the temple, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, saint, saint reflections, simeon, temple, waiting, st. cyril, st. cyril of alexandria
When Jesus was presented in the Temple, Simeon was ready to receive the long desired savior. With a reading from St. Cyril of Alexandria, Fr. Mark-Mary asks us how we’ve been preparing to receive our savior: are we waiting in our metaphorical temples, or have we become distracted by the world? To help us place ourselves in the fourth joyful mystery, Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in imaginative prayer, setting the scene for a place of prayer we can always return to. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Presentation and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 91: Cause For Joy
April 1st, 2025 | 11 mins 1 sec
ascension, catholic church, catholic faith, christmas, conversion, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, joy, joyful, joyful mysteries, nativity, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, saint, saint reflections, st. leo, st. leo the great
Is the Nativity a cause for joy in your life? Reflecting on a sermon from St. Leo the Great, Fr. Mark-Mary tells us that sometimes when we don’t feel the joy of the Nativity, we’re actually being called deeper into our relationship with God. We meditate on the Nativity’s personal impact on our lives as we lean into deeper conversion. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Nativity and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 90: Consoling Mother
March 31st, 2025 | 13 mins 58 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, consolation, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, joyful, joyful mysteries, mary, mother, mother teresa, motherhood, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, saint, saint reflections, st. alphonsus, st. alphonsus liguori, st. mother theresa, visitation
We read from St. Alphonsus Liguori’s On the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin, recognizing that Mary’s office as Mother means that she will console us. Fr. Mark-Mary shares a prayer from St. Mother Theresa, and guides us through a reflection on Mary’s motherhood. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Visitation and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 89: Long Desired
March 30th, 2025 | 15 mins 51 secs
annunciation, ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fiat, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, joyful, joyful mysteries, mary, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, saint, saint reflections, st. bernard, st. bernard of clairvaux
We move into our Saint Reflections section of Phase 3 with a reading from St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s Four Homilies in Praise of the Virgin Mother. Fr. Mark-Mary focuses on St. Bernard’s explanation of all humanity waiting on Mary’s long desired fiat. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Annunciation and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 88: The Road of Humility
March 29th, 2025 | 16 mins 33 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, coronation, coronation of mary, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, humble, humility, lectio, lectio divina, mary, queen of heaven, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, trust
Mary chose humility, waiting with confidence in the Lord and his goodness. For this, Fr. Mark-Mary says, she has been made queen of heaven and earth. In our lectio divina today, we’re encouraged to not look down upon the humble road, but to follow in Mary’s example, trusting in the goodness of God. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Coronation of Mary and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 87: It’s All True
March 28th, 2025 | 14 mins 45 secs
ascension, assumption, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, elizabeth, faithfulness, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, glory, lectio, lectio divina, magnificat, mary, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, salvation, trust
The mystery of the Assumption reveals that everything God promised to Mary was fulfilled. Fr. Mark-Mary emphasizes that we can place our hope in this: if God’s faithfulness was true for Mary, God’s faithfulness will be true for us. We, like Mary, are invited to share in the blessedness of salvation as heirs of the works of God. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Assumption and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 86: Filled with New Wine
March 27th, 2025 | 18 mins 20 secs
apostles, ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, descent of the holy spirit, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, fulfillment, glorious, glorious mysteries, holy spirit, lectio, lectio divina, new wine, promise, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, wine
After the descent of the Holy Spirit, those who hear the Apostles are amazed and perplexed, suggesting that perhaps the Apostles have had too much wine. On one level, the people are wrong, but on another level, Fr. Mark-Mary tells us, the Apostles are filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus has promised us the new wine in the Wedding Feast at Cana, and here in the third Glorious mystery, we see the fulfillment of his promise in the form of the Holy Spirit. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Descent of the Holy Spirit and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 85: The Blessing Never Stops
March 26th, 2025 | 16 mins 15 secs
apostles, ascension, blessing, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, jesus, lectio, lectio divina, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year
In his glorified body, Jesus no longer has physical limitations. This is why, Fr. Mark-Mary explains, Jesus’ blessing upon the Apostles, and therefore us, never ends after he ascends to heaven. Likewise, the Apostles’ reciprocation never ends. We pray lectio divina, meditating on Jesus’ eternal blessing, and our continuous response. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Ascension and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 84: Do Not Be Afraid
March 25th, 2025 | 17 mins 39 secs
afraid, ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, confidence, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fear, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, hope, joy, lectio, lectio divina, resurrection, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year
In the mystery of the Resurrection, Jesus and the angels bring the same message: do not be afraid. This is a sign of the joy and confidence with which the Father wants us to encounter life. Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in lectio divina, encouraging us to find this hope and joy in the message of the Resurrection. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Resurrection and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 83: Father Forgive Them
March 24th, 2025 | 16 mins 18 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, crucifixion, death, father mark mary, father mark-mary, forgive, forgiveness, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, jesus, lectio, lectio divina, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries
In the midst of the most tragic of circumstances, his crucifixion and death, what does Jesus say? Jesus prays for all of us, asking the Father to forgive. Today, Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in lectio divina, focusing on these words of Jesus, thanking Jesus for his mercy and incredible love. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Crucifixion and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 82: Simon’s Choice
March 23rd, 2025 | 15 mins 47 secs
ascension, carrying of the cross, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, cross, decisions, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, jesus, lectio, lectio divina, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, simon, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, suffering
During Jesus’ passion, the gospel tells us that a man named Simon was compelled to carry Jesus’ cross. In this moment, Simon was given a decision: to fight back against this injustice, or to make the choice to carry this cross and draw close to Jesus. We are all given difficult or even unjust crosses to carry, and Fr. Mark-Mary calls us to reflect upon how we react to these in today’s lectio divina. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Carrying of the Cross and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 81: Behold Your King
March 22nd, 2025 | 15 mins 34 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, crowning, crowning with thorns, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, jesus, king, kingship, lectio, lectio divina, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sacrifice, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, thorns, true king
Although the Roman soldiers mockingly hail Jesus as king, Fr. Mark-Mary explains that in this mystery we see the reality of Jesus’ true kingship and dignity. In our prayer of lectio divina, we meditate on Jesus’ incredible sacrifice for us, and we receive the good news that we worship the true king. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Crowning with Thorns and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 80: His Blood For You
March 21st, 2025 | 15 mins 3 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, jesus, lectio, lectio divina, love, passion, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sacrifice, scourging, scourging at the pillar, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, worth
Jesus freely endured the suffering of the scourging because of his great love for us. Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in lectio divina, meditating on the depth of Jesus’ love for us and how he wants us to receive the gift of his love. We allow ourselves to behold the sign of our worth: Jesus giving everything to save us. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Scourging at the Pillar and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 79: Trust like Jesus
March 20th, 2025 | 15 mins 41 secs
agony, agony in the garden, ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fidelity, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, jesus, lectio, lectio divina, obedience, passion, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, trust
When Jesus is sorrowful in the Garden of Gethsemane, he stays in relationship with the Father, trusting in the Father’s plan. Fr. Mark-Mary invites us to sit with Jesus, trusting in the Father when we are sorrowful and afraid, following the Son’s example. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Agony in the Garden and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 78: Given for You
March 19th, 2025 | 15 mins 28 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, communion, eucharist, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, institution of the eucharist, jesus, last supper, lectio, lectio divina, luminous, luminous mysteries, passion, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year
At the last supper, Jesus tells his disciples that he earnestly desires to eat the Passover with them. Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in lectio divina, meditating on Jesus’ longing, his earnest desire, to give himself to us. We place ourselves in the scene of the Last Supper and hear Jesus tell us, “this is for you.” Today’s focus is the mystery of the Institution of the Eucharist and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 77: Have No Fear
March 18th, 2025 | 15 mins
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, confidence, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fear, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, jesus, lectio, lectio divina, luminous, luminous mysteries, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, transfiguration
When we experience fear and doubt, we can turn to the Father’s revelation that Jesus is the one we have been looking for. Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in lectio divina as we meditate on Jesus' gentle reassurance to the Apostles, telling them to rise and have no fear. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Transfiguration and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.