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

Day 73: Seek Him

March 14th, 2025  |  14 mins 57 secs

ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, father mark mary, father mark-mary, finding, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, joyful, joyful mysteries, lectio, lectio divina, prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, searching, seeking god, simeon, temple

How are we seeking Jesus? Are we aware that as we seek Jesus, he too is seeking us? Fr. Mark-Mary asks us the words Jesus asks Mary when she finds him in the Temple, “how is it that you sought me,” as we pray lectio divina, inspiring us to consider how we look for Jesus. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Finding in the Temple and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

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

Day 72: You Don’t Wait in Vain

March 13th, 2025  |  14 mins 54 secs

anna, ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, joyful, joyful mysteries, lectio, lectio divina, patience, presentation, promise, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, simeon, temple, waiting

Simeon and Anna spent their entire lives waiting in the Temple for the savior. We might feel like Simeon and Anna, waiting for God and his promises in our own lives. Fr. Mark-Mary tells us that the Presentation is a sign of hope for all of us: just as Simeon and Anna saw salvation, we too do not wait in vain. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Presentation in the Temple and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

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

Day 71: Behold God

March 12th, 2025  |  16 mins 27 secs

ascension, baby jesus, bethlehem, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, joseph, joyful, joyful mysteries, lectio, lectio divina, mary, nativity, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, savior

What was the experience of the shepherds, called by angels to the birth of God? How would we react to seeing the newborn Christ? Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in Lectio Divina, drawing us into the experience of the Nativity, as we behold the innocence and humility of the baby Jesus. We ask for the grace to not be afraid to draw close to God. 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.

Day 70: The Faith of Mary

March 11th, 2025  |  14 mins 38 secs

ascension, belief, blessed is she, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, elizabeth, faith, faithfulness, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, god’s faithfulness, joyful, joyful mysteries, mary, promises, receive, rejoice, request, respond, revelation, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, visitation

In the Visitation, God is revealing that he keeps his promises. Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in lectio divina, meditating on finding blessedness in our faith in God, like Mary who believed in God’s promises. 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.

Day 69: Nothing is Impossible

March 10th, 2025  |  19 mins 22 secs

annunciation, ascension, belief, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, faith, faithfulness, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fiat, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, god’s faithfulness, impossible, joyful, joyful mysteries, lectio, lectio divina, mary, promises, receive, rejoice, request, respond, revelation, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, trust, yes

Congratulations! You have made it to Phase 3 of the Rosary in a Year: Meditating on the Mysteries. We begin lectio divina with Fr. Mark-Mary, meditating on Mary’s yes to a person, not a plan. We’re reminded that even if we don’t understand God’s plan, we can fully trust in his goodness. 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.

Bonus: Introduction to Phase Three: “Meditating with the Mysteries”

March 9th, 2025  |  30 mins 11 secs

ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, dominicans, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. gregory pine, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, franciscans, meditating on the mysteries, novenas, phase 3, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sleep

How do we really dive into meditation while we pray the rosary? In this special bonus episode, Fr. Mark-Mary is joined by Fr. Gregory Pine to discuss Franciscan and Dominican prayer, accessing grace through the rosary, and the much debated question: “If you fall asleep in the middle of prayer, does your guardian angel finish the rosary?”

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

Day 68: Fancy Friends

March 9th, 2025  |  10 mins 40 secs

catholic, catholic church, catholicism, coronation of mary, faith, friendship, glorious, glorious mysteries, mary, mary as queen, mother, mother of god, queen, revelation, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year

Many of us have “fancy” friends in our lives, and sometimes we are the “fancy” friend: someone whose role, talents, or connections are able to help us out. However, Fr. Mark-Mary explains that we all have the best “fancy” friend in Mary, our Mother and Queen. Reading from the book of Revelation, he explores how we can have total confidence in Mary as we bring our petitions to her. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 67: He Has Promised

March 8th, 2025  |  12 mins 1 sec

assumption, catholic, catholic church, catholicism, doubt, faith, fulfillment, glorious, glorious mysteries, god’s plan, mary, promise, promises, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, trust

Sometimes God asks us to do things that are unexpected or difficult. However, these times are often an opportunity for God to bless us: although we might have planned good things for ourselves, God asks us to trust that he has the best planned for us. Fr. Mark-Mary shows how Mary is the perfect example of this trust in God, and how God’s promises of goodness are fulfilled in the Assumption. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Assumption of Mary and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 66: Wait and Pray

March 7th, 2025  |  12 mins 12 secs

apostles, catholic, catholic church, catholicism, faith, glorious, glorious mysteries, holy spirit, patience, pentecost, prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, transformation

What were the Apostles feeling as they waited in the upper room? Despite their trepidation, the Apostles waited and prayed with confidence, and the Holy Spirit transformed them. Fr. Mark-Mary shares a story of transformative prayer, teaching us how we can call upon the Holy Spirit. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 65: Returning Home

March 6th, 2025  |  9 mins 48 secs

apostles, ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholicism, faith, glorious, glorious mysteries, heaven, home, jesus, pope benedict xvi, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year

Did Jesus leave us when he ascended to heaven? Fr. Mark-Mary answers this question, leading us in a meditation on the certainty of Jesus’ perpetual presence with us in all times and places. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Ascension and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 64: Christ is Risen

March 5th, 2025  |  10 mins 38 secs

catholic, catholic church, catholicism, christ is risen, easter, faith, glorious, glorious mysteries, hope, paschal candle, resurrection, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year

How do you celebrate Easter? Fr. Mark-Mary provides listeners with a challenge, reminiscing on the moment he realized just how important Easter is, and how much hope the truth that Christ is Risen can give us. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Resurrection and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 63: Even Unto Death

March 4th, 2025  |  11 mins 1 sec

calvary, catholic, catholic church, catholicism, crucifixion, effects of sin, faith, god’s love, love, prodigal son, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sin, sorrowful mysteries, suffering

Just as the father in the parable of the prodigal son does not merely wait to welcome his son back, but pursues to meet him on the way, Fr. Mark-Mary explains that God does not wait for us to return to him but instead pursues us, even to death on the cross. At Calvary, in the Crucifixion, we see the true nature of the heart of God, a heart filled with love for us. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 62: He Meets Us

March 3rd, 2025  |  10 mins 17 secs

carrying of the cross, catholic, catholic church, catholicism, effects of sin, faith, prodigal son, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, savior, sin, sorrowful mysteries

In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the father does not wait for his son to come back home, but instead descends to meet him on the way. In the mystery of the Carrying of the Cross, God our Father does not leave us to an isolated journey to death, says Fr. Mark-Mary, but instead as Jesus is ascending the mountain with the cross, God is descending to save us and bring new life. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Carrying of the Cross and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 61: You Are Beloved

March 2nd, 2025  |  9 mins 16 secs

beloved, catholic, catholic church, catholicism, crowning with thorns, dignity, effects of sin, faith, mockery, prodigal son, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sin, sons and daughters, sorrowful mysteries, suffering

When the devil attacks, he tries to mock us and deny our dignity. Fr. Mark-Mary continues the journey of reflecting on the passion of our Lord as it reveals the true nature of sin, revealing how meditating on the Crowning with Thorns can help us reject Satan’s lies and remember our dignity as beloved sons and daughters. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Crowning with Thorns and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 60: Effects of Sin

March 1st, 2025  |  7 mins 5 secs

catholic, catholic church, catholicism, effects of sin, faith, prodigal son, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, scourging, sin, sorrowful mysteries, suffering

Sometimes we don’t fully recognize or understand the effects of sin on our soul, but the mystery of the Scourging at the Pillar reveals the reality of sin to us. Fr. Mark-Mary continues the journey of reflecting on the passion of our Lord as it reveals the true nature of sin and the true nature of the heart of God. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Scourging at the Pillar and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 59: The Nature of Sin

February 28th, 2025  |  10 mins 20 secs

agony, agony in the garden, catholic, catholic church, catholicism, faith, inheritance, parables, prodigal son, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sin, sin’s effects, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries

As we begin journeying through the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, Fr. Mark-Mary uses the parable of the Prodigal Son to illustrate how Jesus’ Agony in the Garden reveals humanity’s rejection of God’s gift. However, despite this rejection we find salvation in Jesus’ incredible love for us. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Agony in the Garden and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.