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 295: The Joyful and Luminous Mysteriese
October 22nd, 2025 | 17 mins 12 secs
ascension, baptism, baptism in the jordan, baptism of jesus, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, conversion, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, finding, finding of jesus in the temple, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, jordan, joyful, joyful mysteries, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, proclamation, proclamation of the kingdom and call to conversion, relational prayer, repentance, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, wedding at cana, wedding feast
In these mysteries, we witness the beginning of Christ’s mission and the revelation of His love. He is found in the Temple, teaching with divine wisdom. He is baptized in the Jordan, revealing His identity as the beloved Son of the Father. He turns water into wine at Cana, showing His glory and generosity. He proclaims the Kingdom, calling all to conversion and new life. May we open our hearts to His call, trust in His mercy, and live as faithful witnesses to His saving love. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, the Baptism of Jesus, the Wedding at Cana, and the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 294: The Joyful Mysteries
October 21st, 2025 | 16 mins 42 secs
annunciation, ascension, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, joyful, joyful mysteries, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, nativity, poco a poco, prayer, presentation, presentation in the temple, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, visitation
The Joyful Mysteries reveal the nearness of God’s love. Mary’s faith and obedience open the way for the Savior. Through her service, joy spreads from one heart to another. Because of her humility and perseverance, our Savior is born. And in her devotion, the promise of redemption begins to unfold. May we, like Mary, open our hearts to God’s will and share His light with the world. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, and the Presentation in the Temple. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 293: The Glorious Mysteries
October 20th, 2025 | 16 mins 40 secs
ascension, assumption, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, coronation, coronation of mary, decades, descent of the holy spirit, father mark mary, father mark-mary, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, holy spirit, imaginative prayer, intercession, intercessory prayer, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, pentecost, poco a poco, prayer, queen, queen of heaven, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year
In the Glorious Mysteries, we celebrate the everlasting joy of God’s love and the hope of eternal life. Christ ascends to the Father, opening heaven to all who believe, and the Holy Spirit descends to fill our hearts with faith and courage. Mary, who remained faithful to her Son in all things, is taken into the joy of heaven and crowned as our Queen and Mother. These mysteries remind us that our journey does not end in sorrow, but in glory—that through Christ, we are called to share in the life and joy of heaven. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Ascension, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Assumption of Mary, and the Coronation of Mary. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 292: The Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries
October 19th, 2025 | 17 mins 21 secs
ascension, building, building up the decades, carrying, carrying of the cross, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, crowning, crowning with thorns, crucifixion, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, relational prayer, resurrection, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries
Fr. Mary-Mary encourages us as we journey through the Sorrowful mysteries and conclude with the first Glorious mystery. He invites us to bring to the Lord and our Lady the suffering from our hearts, the struggles of loved ones, and the pain of the world with confidence in His ultimate victory. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Crowning with Thorns, the Carrying of the Cross, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 291: The Luminous and Sorrowful Mysteries
October 18th, 2025 | 16 mins 36 secs
agony, agony in the garden, ascension, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, eucharist, father mark mary, father mark-mary, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, institution of the eucharist, intercessory prayer, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, scourging, scourging at the pillar, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, transfiguration
We trace the path from Christ’s divinity revealed to His willing surrender as we pray with the final Luminous Mysteries and move into the Sorrowful Mysteries. In the Transfiguration, we glimpse His heavenly majesty. In the Eucharist, we receive His eternal gift of love. In the Garden, we witness His prayerful obedience. At the pillar, we see His patient endurance. Through these mysteries, we learn to trust God’s will, to find strength in suffering, and to walk with Christ in faith and love. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Transfiguration, the Institution of the Eucharist, the Agony in the Garden, and the Scourging at the Pillar. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 290: The Joyful and Luminous Mysteries
October 17th, 2025 | 17 mins 41 secs
archive, ascension, baptism, building, building up the decades, call to conversion, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, encouragement, father mark mary, father mark-mary, finding, finding in the temple, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, hidden, hidden years, holy family, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, joyful, joyful mysteries, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, meditating, meditation, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, proclamation, proclamation of the kingdom, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, secret years, wedding, wedding at cana
Fr. Mark-Mary offers a reflection on the ordinary and hidden nature of the beginning of Jesus’ life. As we pray today, there is an eighteen year gap between the Finding in the Temple, and the Baptism of Jesus. We’re encouraged to ponder and pray with those hidden, quiet years of the holy family. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Finding in the Temple, the Baptism in the Jordan, the Wedding Feast at Cana, and the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 289: The Joyful Mysteries
October 16th, 2025 | 17 mins 53 secs
annunciation, archive, ascension, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, encouragement, father mark mary, father mark-mary, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, joyful, joyful mysteries, mary, meditating, meditation, meditative prayer, nativity, poco a poco, prayer, presentation, presentation in the temple, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, visitation
Fr. Mark-Mary offers us a word of encouragement, reminding us to continue to draw our prior meditation topics into our prayer of the Rosary, grounding ourselves in true meditation from our mental archives. Beginning again with the Joyful mysteries, we walk through the beginning of Jesus’ life and the story of the holy family. The Joyful mysteries provide us a beautiful foundation of joy for our lives, teaching us how to journey through all of our mysteries, luminous, sorrowful, and joyful. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Ascension, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Assumption, and the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 288: The Glorious Mysteries
October 15th, 2025 | 16 mins 54 secs
ascension, assumption, assumption of mary, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, coronation, decades, descent of the holy spirit, father mark mary, father mark-mary, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, holy spirit, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, pentecost, poco a poco, prayer, queen of heaven, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year
Today we reflect on four Glorious Mysteries that fill us with hope and lift our hearts toward heaven. Beginning with the Ascension of Jesus, we can meditate on the place he has prepared for us in heaven, and then the gift of the Spirit he has sent in the Descent of the Holy Spirit. We conclude with the Assumption and Coronation of Mary, celebrating her share in Christ’s victory as she is taken body and soul into heaven. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Ascension, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Assumption, and the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 287: The Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries
October 14th, 2025 | 17 mins 9 secs
ascension, building, building up the decades, carrying of the cross, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, crowning with thorns, crucifixion, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, relational prayer, resurrection, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries
Today we journey through the depths of Christ’s Passion into the glory of his triumph, remembering the humility, suffering, and sacrifice of our Lord for the salvation of the world. In these mysteries we are invited to remain with him in his pain and to unite our own struggles to his redeeming love, and then walk forwards into the joy of his Resurrection. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Crowning with Thorns, the Carrying of the Cross, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 286: The Luminous and Sorrowful Mysteries
October 13th, 2025 | 18 mins 14 secs
and the scourging at the pillar, ascension, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, the agony in the garden, the institution of the eucharist, transfiguration
Fr. Mark-Mary explains that sometimes, praying the mysteries of the Rosary in a different order can open us up to different insights. Today, we witness the continuity of Jesus’ sonship, as his Father reveals him in the Transfiguration and as Jesus turns to his Father in the Agony in the Garden. Although these moments are very different in tone, we see the truths of the Father’s love for Jesus, and for us. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Transfiguration, the Institution of the Eucharist, the Agony in the Garden, and the Scourging at the Pillar. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 285: The Joyful and Luminous Mysteries
October 12th, 2025 | 17 mins 15 secs
ascension, baptism, baptism in the jordan, baptism of jesus, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, conversion, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, finding, finding of jesus in the temple, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, jordan, joyful, joyful mysteries, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, proclamation, proclamation of the kingdom and call to conversion, relational prayer, repentance, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, wedding at cana, wedding feast
Together, we pray and follow Christ as His mission is revealed. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple, the Baptism of Jesus, the Wedding at Cana, and the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion invite us to trust Him more deeply, to receive His Word with open hearts, and to follow faithfully in His footsteps. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, the Baptism of Jesus, the Wedding at Cana, and the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 284: The Joyful Mysteries
October 11th, 2025 | 17 mins 45 secs
annunciation, ascension, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, joyful, joyful mysteries, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, nativity, poco a poco, prayer, presentation, presentation in the temple, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, visitation
We enter the Joyful Mysteries, rejoicing in the wonder of the Incarnation. At the Annunciation, Mary receives the angel’s message and responds with her humble “yes,” and the Word becomes flesh within her. In the Visitation, she carries Christ to Elizabeth, and His presence brings joy and blessing even before His birth. At the Nativity, the Savior is born in humility yet shines forth as the Light of the World. In the Presentation at the Temple, Mary and Joseph offer the Child to the Father, and Simeon and Anna rejoice to see God’s promise fulfilled. They invite us to welcome Christ with faith, to proclaim His joy, and to live each day as an offering to the Father. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, and the Presentation in the Temple. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 283: The Glorious Mysteries
October 10th, 2025 | 17 mins 38 secs
ascension, assumption, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, coronation, coronation of mary, decades, descent of the holy spirit, father mark mary, father mark-mary, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, holy spirit, imaginative prayer, intercession, intercessory prayer, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, pentecost, poco a poco, prayer, queen, queen of heaven, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year
Praying with the Ascension, Descent of the Holy Spirit, Assumption of Mary, and Coronation of Mary, we lift our hearts to the triumph of Christ and the glory shared with His Mother. Together, these mysteries reveal the fullness of God’s saving plan: Christ exalted at the Father’s right hand, the Spirit poured out upon the Church, and Mary sharing already in the glory promised to all the faithful. They call us to live in hope, to walk in the Spirit, and to trust Mary’s intercession as she leads us closer to her Son. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Ascension, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Assumption of Mary, and the Coronation of Mary. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 282: The Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries
October 9th, 2025 | 17 mins 20 secs
ascension, building, building up the decades, carrying, carrying of the cross, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, crowning, crowning with thorns, crucifixion, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, relational prayer, resurrection, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries
We walk with Christ through His Passion into the glory of new life. In the Crowning with Thorns, He is mocked and humiliated, yet endures with silent strength. As He carries the cross, each step reveals His love and perseverance under the weight of our sins. At the Crucifixion, He hangs on the cross in the ultimate act of sacrifice for the redemption of the world. And in the Resurrection, sorrow is turned to joy, as Christ rises victorious over sin and death, bringing new life. These mysteries draw us to walk faithfully with Him in suffering, to embrace the cross with hope, and to rejoice in the triumph of His love. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Crowning with Thorns, the Carrying of the Cross, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 281: The Luminous and Sorrowful Mysteries
October 8th, 2025 | 16 mins 58 secs
agony, agony in the garden, ascension, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, eucharist, father mark mary, father mark-mary, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, institution of the eucharist, intercessory prayer, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, scourging, scourging at the pillar, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, transfiguration
The Transfiguration, the Institution of the Eucharist, the Agony in the Garden, and the Scourging at the Pillar reveal Christ’s glory, His self-giving love, and His willing embrace of suffering for our salvation. Together, these mysteries trace the passage from glory to sacrifice, showing Christ as both radiant Son of God and suffering Servant. They call us to behold His glory, to receive His gift in the Eucharist, to surrender to God’s will in our trials, and to carry our sufferings with faith united to His. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Transfiguration, the Institution of the Eucharist, the Agony in the Garden, and the Scourging at the Pillar. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.
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Day 280: The Joyful and Luminous Mysteries
October 7th, 2025 | 16 mins 42 secs
ascension, baptism, baptism in the jordan, baptism of jesus, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, conversion, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, finding, finding of jesus in the temple, four decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, jordan, joyful, joyful mysteries, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, proclamation, proclamation of the kingdom and call to conversion, relational prayer, repentance, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, wedding at cana, wedding feast
We conclude the Joyful Mysteries and follow into the Luminous Mysteries as Christ’s mission is revealed. In the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, He shows Himself to be about His Father’s work. At the Baptism in the Jordan, the Spirit descends and the Father proclaims Him as the beloved Son. At the Wedding at Cana, He performs His first miracle, revealing His glory. In the Proclamation of the Kingdom, He announces the Good News and calls all to conversion. These mysteries encourage us to seek Him with faith, to listen to His Word, and to follow Him more closely each day. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, the Baptism of Jesus, the Wedding at Cana, and the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.
For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.