The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)

Day 267: The Glorious and Joyful Mysteries

September 24th, 2025  |  13 mins

annunciation, ascension, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, coronation, coronation of mary, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, humility, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, joyful, joyful mysteries, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, three decades, visitation

Continuing our meditative journey, we complete the glorious mysteries, returning to the beginning of the story within the joyful mysteries. Beginning our meditation with the glory of Mary’s coronation of Queen of Heaven and Earth, we then recall her humble beginnings in the Annunciation and Visitation, walking the “royal road of humility”. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Coronation of Mary, the Annunciation, and the Visitation. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 266: The Glorious Mysteries

September 23rd, 2025  |  13 mins 1 sec

ascension, assumption, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, descent of the holy spirit, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, holy spirit, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, pentecost, poco a poco, prayer, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, three decades

We pray with three of the Glorious mysteries, meditating on the glory that awaits us. As we sift through our mental archive, we can recall Jesus’ promise that the blessing never ends: his Ascension allows him to be even more present with us each personally. In the Descent of the Holy Spirit, he shares with us the spirit we need to bring his word to all people, and finally in the Assumption, we receive the promise that we too can be taken to heaven to join him and Mary one day. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Ascension, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, and the Assumption. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 265: The Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries

September 22nd, 2025  |  12 mins 52 secs

ascension, building, building up the decades, carrying of the cross, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, cross, crucifixion, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, 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, three decades

The Carrying of the Cross, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection reveal the path of Christ’s Passion leading to new life. As Jesus carries the Cross, we walk beside Him, witnessing His perseverance under the weight of suffering and His quiet strength. At the Crucifixion, we kneel at the foot of the Cross, where Christ’s arms are outstretched in the ultimate act of love, offering His life for the redemption of the world. Finally, the silence of the tomb is broken by the glory of the Resurrection, where sin and death are conquered and the promise of eternal life is fulfilled. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Carrying of the Cross, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 264: The Sorrowful Mysteries

September 21st, 2025  |  12 mins 46 secs

agony, agony in the garden, ascension, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, crown, crowning, crowning with thorns, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, garden, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, 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, thorns, three decades

As we enter into the Sorrowful Mysteries, our hearts remain with Christ in His Passion. The Agony in the Garden, the Scourging at the Pillar, and the Crowning with Thorns reveal Christ’s obedience, courage, and unfailing love in the face of betrayal, pain, and humiliation. In these mysteries, we behold the depth of His sacrifice and are invited to unite our own trials with His, remaining steadfast in faith amid suffering. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Agony in the Garden, the Scourging at the Pillar, and the Crowning with Thorns. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 263: The Luminous Mysteries

September 20th, 2025  |  12 mins 40 secs

ascension, building, building up the decades, call to conversion, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, eucharist, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, institution, institution of the eucharist, intercessory prayer, kingdom, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, proclamation, proclamation of the kingdom of god, relational prayer, repentance, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, three decades, transfiguration

Praying with the Luminous Mysteries, we see Christ reveal the fullness of His mission. In the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion, Jesus announces the Good News, heals the sick, forgives sins, and invites all to turn their hearts back to God. In the Transfiguration, we behold His radiant glory and a glimpse of the Resurrection. In the Institution of the Eucharist, Christ offers His Body and Blood as the lasting gift of His love and the source of eternal life. Let us hear His Word, be transformed by His presence, and live in communion with Him. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion, the Transfiguration, and the Institution of the Eucharist. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 262: The Joyful and Luminous Mysteries

September 19th, 2025  |  12 mins 49 secs

Closing out the Joyful Mysteries and moving into the Luminous Mysteries, we behold Christ revealed as the beloved Son of the Father. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple, the Baptism of Jesus, and the Wedding Feast at Cana each reveal Christ’s divine identity and mission in a new way—first as a child proclaiming His Father’s work, then as the Beloved Son beginning His ministry, and finally as the miracle-worker who manifests His glory. In these mysteries, we are invited to trust in God’s plan, to follow Christ with faith, and to obey His call in our lives. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, the Baptism of Jesus, and the Wedding Feast at Cana. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 261: The Joyful Mysteries

September 18th, 2025  |  13 mins 7 secs

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As we continue with the Joyful Mysteries, we celebrate the saving presence of Christ among us. In the Visitation, Mary carries the Savior to Elizabeth, and His presence brings joy and blessing. In the Nativity, Christ is born in poverty yet shines forth as the Light of the World. In the Presentation in the Temple, Mary and Joseph offer Jesus to the Father, and the promise of salvation is proclaimed. In these mysteries, we are called to bring Christ joyfully to others, to welcome Him with humble hearts, and to dedicate our lives to the will of God. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Visitation, the Nativity, and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 260: The Glorious and Joyful Mysteries

September 17th, 2025  |  13 mins 28 secs

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We pray through a beautiful sequence that bridges the Glorious and Joyful Mysteries. Drawing upon our mental archive, we could return with the Assumption to the promise that “it’s all true,” as we dwell in Mary’s magnificat fulfilled in her assumption. Recalling Mary’s title, Queen of Angels, we see her crowned as Queen of the angelic host, ready to defend us, her children. Finally, as we return to the Annunciation, we remember that Mary is a human just like us, who made the choice to say yes to God’s plan. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Assumption, the Coronation of Mary, and the Annunciation. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 259: The Glorious Mysteries

September 16th, 2025  |  13 mins 3 secs

ascension, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, descent of the holy spirit, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, pentecost, poco a poco, prayer, relational prayer, resurrection, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, three decades

Today, we begin the Glorious Mysteries, turning our hearts from the sorrow of the Passion to the joy and triumph of Christ’s victory. We pray the Resurrection, rejoicing in the Risen Lord who conquers sin and death. We move to the Ascension, where Jesus returns to the Father, preparing a place for us and commissioning us to share the Gospel. Finally, we enter into the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, reflecting on the gift of the Spirit who empowers and guides the Church. These mysteries can fill us with hope and renew our commitment to live as witnesses of Christ’s love in the world. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Resurrection, Ascension, and Descent of the Holy Spirit. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 258: The Sorrowful Mysteries

September 15th, 2025  |  12 mins 50 secs

ascension, building, building up the decades, carrying, carrying the cross, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, crowning, crowning with thorns, crucifixion, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, three decades

We conclude the Sorrowful Mysteries, entering into the final moments of Christ’s Passion. Drawing upon our mental archives, we could return to the reality of sin, revealed through the crowning with thorns and the sorrow of the prodigal son, Simon’s choice as the cross is presented to him, and Jesus’ love on the cross: asking his Father to forgive those who caused his suffering. As we pray through these three decades together, we unite our hearts to his sacrifice. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Crowning with Thorns, the Carrying of the Cross, and the Crucifixion. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 257: The Luminous and Sorrowful Mysteries

September 14th, 2025  |  12 mins 57 secs

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We journey from the Luminous mysteries into the Sorrowful, reminding us of the connection between Jesus’ ministry and his passion. Moments after Jesus institutes the sacrament of the Eucharist, he enters into his Agony, the first sorrowful mystery. Just as his upcoming passion is interwoven among the Luminous mysteries, we can still see the light of God’s beloved son shining through the Sorrowful as he offers his life for ours. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Institution of the Eucharist, the Agony in the Garden, and the Scourging at the Pillar. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 256: The Luminous Mysteries

September 13th, 2025  |  13 mins 26 secs

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Today, we pray and meditate on the Luminous mysteries. We can draw on our mental archive, reminded of Jesus and Mary’s awareness of the couple’s needs at the Wedding Feast at Cana, and therefore our needs. In the Proclamation of the Kingdom, we’re reminded that God is here, and he is acting in the world. Finally, we can think back to the glory of the Transfiguration, God’s light visible, shining through Jesus. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Wedding at Cana, the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Repentance, and the Transfiguration. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 255: The Joyful and Luminous Mysteries

September 12th, 2025  |  13 mins 45 secs

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Concluding the Joyful Mysteries and entering into the Luminous Mysteries, we follow the unfolding revelation of Christ’s identity. In the Presentation at the Temple, the Infant Jesus is offered to the Father, fulfilling the Law and shining forth as the promised Savior. In the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, we behold the young Jesus in His Father’s house, revealing divine wisdom and reminding us that He is always about His Father’s work. In the Baptism of Jesus, we witness the beginning of His public ministry, as the Holy Spirit descends and the Father proclaims Jesus as His beloved Son. In these mysteries, we are called to dedicate ourselves to God, to seek Him with faithful hearts, and to embrace our identity as beloved children of the Father. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Presentation in the Temple, the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, and the Baptism of Jesus. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 254: The Joyful Mysteries

September 11th, 2025  |  13 mins 20 secs

annunciation, ascension, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, joyful, joyful mysteries, meditating, meditative prayer, nativity, poco a poco, prayer, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, three decades, visitation

The Annunciation, Visitation, and Nativity are at the heart of today’s prayer. Together, they tell the story of God’s saving love entering the world through Mary’s faithful “yes” and the birth of Jesus. They reveal the humility of God becoming man, the joy that His presence brings, and the hope fulfilled in His coming. In these Joyful Mysteries, we are invited to meditate on Mary’s openness to God’s will, her loving service to others, and her joy in the gift of Christ. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Annunciation, the Visitation, and the Nativity. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 253: The Glorious Mysteries

September 10th, 2025  |  13 mins 19 secs

ascension, assumption, building, building up the decades, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, coronation, decades, descent, descent of the holy spirit, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, holy spirit, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, three decades

Lifting up our hearts to the final Glorious Mysteries, we rejoice in the Descent of the Holy Spirit, who fills the Apostles with courage and ignites the Church with divine power. We then behold the Assumption of Mary, taken body and soul into heavenly glory, a sign of the promise awaiting all who are faithful to Christ. Finally, we celebrate the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth, where she reigns beside her Son, interceding for us with a mother’s love. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Assumption of Mary, and the Coronation of Mary. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 252: The Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries

September 9th, 2025  |  14 mins

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We journey through the heart of our faith as we pray the final Sorrowful Mystery and enter the Glorious Mysteries. We behold the Crucifixion, where Christ’s boundless love is poured out upon the Cross for the redemption of the world. We rejoice in the Resurrection, where sin and death are conquered and life is made new. We gaze toward the Ascension, where Christ returns to the Father, preparing a place for us in the glory of heaven. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and the Ascension. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.