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

  • Day 34: The Anointed One

    February 3rd, 2025  |  13 mins 28 secs
    baptism, day of atonement, historical context, jordan river, lamb, lamb of god, luminous, luminous mysteries, meditation, messiah, old testament, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sacrifice, scapegoat, sin

    Each of the Luminous mysteries reveal an aspect of Jesus’ nature and mission. Fr. Mark-Mary draws on the history of the Jordan River and the Jewish Day of Atonement, historical details that reveal Jesus as Messiah and sacrifice in this mystery of the Rosary. Today’s focus is the mystery of The Baptism of Jesus and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 33: Lost and Found

    February 2nd, 2025  |  10 mins 45 secs
    filial obedience, finding in the temple, freedom, historical context, journey, joy, joyful, joyful mysteries, loss, meditation, obedience, old testament, pilgrim, rebellion, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year

    Why does Jesus leave Mary and Joseph to remain in the temple in Jerusalem? Fr. Mark-Mary unpacks the spiritual significance of the Finding in the Temple, teaching us about filial obedience and how we can understand our own journeys through this mystery of the Rosary. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Finding of Jesus in the Temple and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 32: A Total Offering

    February 1st, 2025  |  14 mins 14 secs
    anna, historical context, isaiah, joy, joyful, joyful mysteries, jp2, meditation, old testament, pope john paul 2, presentation, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, simeon

    The Mystery of Jesus’ Presentation signifies an important moment of fulfillment between the Old and New Covenant. Fr. Mark-Mary leads us through this mystery, pointing out parallels between Simeon’s words to Mary and Old Testament prophecies in Isaiah, giving us a meditation on entrusting our lives to God through the Rosary. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 31: No Other Savior

    January 31st, 2025  |  12 mins 54 secs
    caesar augustus, christmas, historical context, joseph, joy, joyful, joyful mysteries, meditation, nativity, old testament, providence, riy, roman empire, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year

    Sometimes it’s difficult to see how God can work through the hard situations in our lives. In the Mystery of the Nativity, the Holy Family was faced with an incredibly hard situation: traveling 90 miles to participate in a Roman census right before Jesus’ birth. However, Fr. Mark-Mary explains how God was working with these struggles to fulfill an Old Testament prophecy, reading from the book of Micah. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Nativity and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 30: The New Ark

    January 30th, 2025  |  12 mins 44 secs
    ark of the covenant, covenant, elizabeth, historical context, joy, joyful, joyful mysteries, mary, meditation, old testament, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, visitation

    In the Old Testament, God met his people, dwelt with them, and brought them victory through the Ark of the Covenant. As we explore the Biblical roots of the Mysteries of the Rosary, Fr. Mark-Mary reveals how Mary is the new Ark of the Covenant, drawing parallels between the Visitation and the book of 2 Samuel. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Visitation and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 29: Something Unexpected

    January 29th, 2025  |  13 mins 33 secs
    faith, historical context, joy, joyful, joyful mysteries, mary, meditation annunciation, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year

    All of Jesus’ story was unexpected, as a very different Messiah than the people anticipated. Fr. Mark-Mary walks us through the historical and Biblical context of the mystery of the Annunciation, revealing how this mystery of the Rosary is something new, different, and deeper than we might expect. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Annunciation and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 28: Be Joyful, Be Free

    January 28th, 2025  |  9 mins 38 secs
    apostles creed, creed, eternal life, faith, forgiveness, freedom, glorious mysteries, incarnation, joy, joyful, life everlasting, resurrection, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, trust

    Do you fully believe in the forgiveness of sins professed in the Creed? Fr. Mark-Mary tells us that so often we receive forgiveness but continue to carry the internal burden of sin. Drawing from the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, Fr. Mark-Mary encourages us to recall that we have been freed from sin. In praying the Rosary, we can set down our burdens as the Father accepts us into his home. Today’s focus is “The forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen,” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 27: The Spirit Prepares Us

    January 27th, 2025  |  10 mins 12 secs
    apostles creed, creed, faith, glorious mysteries, holy spirit, incarnation, pentecost, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, spirit, trust

    Fr. Mark-Mary shares his personal testimony on the Holy Spirit’s influence in his life and encourages us to look for the Holy Spirit’s presence in our own lives. He explains how meditating on the words of the Creed and the mysteries of the Rosary can lead us to greater understanding and faith as the Holy Spirit works through us. Today’s focus is “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints,” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 26: The Room is Ours

    January 26th, 2025  |  9 mins 58 secs
    apostles creed, ascension, creed, faith, father’s house, glorious mysteries, heaven, incarnation, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, salvation, trust

    Jesus has already prepared a room for us in the Father’s house. Fr. Mark-Mary reveals that not only will we be able to join Jesus in heaven someday, but each time we pray the Rosary, we have a moment with Jesus in our eternal home. Already we draw close to heaven, and heaven draws close to us while we meditate on the Creed. Today’s focus is “On the third day, he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the father almighty. From there, he will come to judge the living and the dead,” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 25: No Longer in Darkness

    January 25th, 2025  |  10 mins 30 secs
    apostles creed, creed, crucifixion, faith, incarnation, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, salvation, sorrowful mysteries, trust

    By the grace of Jesus Christ, there is no longer total darkness. Fr. Mark-Mary explains how we can maintain hope while meditating on the crucifixion, a necessary prelude for the Sorrowful Mysteries. Drawing from the Catechism and the Good Friday liturgy, we continue our meditation on the Creed and Jesus’ incredible love for us. Today’s focus is “He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day, he rose again from the dead,” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 24: Still, Small Voice

    January 24th, 2025  |  10 mins 48 secs
    annunciation, apostles creed, creed, faith, incarnation, mary, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, salvation, trust, word made flesh

    The Holy Spirit chooses to do his greatest works and reveal his glory in still and quiet moments. While reflecting on the Apostles’ Creed, Fr. Mark-Mary uncovers the Incarnation as one of these silent movements of the Spirit: a pivotal event in salvation history that unfolded in the humble, quiet town of Nazareth. As we meditate on the prayers of the Rosary, this episode draws our attention to the quiet moments in which the Holy Spirit works in our lives. Today’s focus is “Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 23: Creator of Heaven and Earth

    January 23rd, 2025  |  9 mins 9 secs
    apostles creed, creation, creed, faith, job, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, trust

    Were you there when he laid the foundation of the Earth? Fr. Mark-Mary brings us this pertinent question from the book of Job as we reflect on the Apostles Creed that we pray every Rosary. He explains that this question, far from being accusatory, is a promise of care from the Lord, a promise that we can trust in God to be God. Today’s focus is “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, ” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 22: Lead Souls to Heaven

    January 22nd, 2025  |  9 mins 13 secs
    death, fatima, fatima prayer, heaven, hell, hope, judgment, marian apparitions, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year

    The Fatima Prayer, said at the end of each decade of the Rosary, was given to us in the Marian apparition at Fatima. Fr. Mark-Mary draws from Romans 8:28, balancing between gravitas and hope, explaining how we can reflect on both of these concepts as we pray the Rosary. Today’s focus is “Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy, ” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 21: Show Unto Us

    January 21st, 2025  |  9 mins 28 secs
    advocate, cana, hail holy queen, hail mary, marian prayer, mary, mercy, mother of god, mother of jesus, prayer, praying through mary, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, wedding feast at cana

    When we call upon Mary, what does she say to us? As we pray the Rosary and ask Mary to show Jesus unto us, we hear her response through the story of the Wedding Feast at Cana in the Gospel of John. If you feel like you’re at the wedding and out of wine, Fr. Mark-Mary says, turn to Mary in the Rosary, and she will advocate for you to Jesus. Today’s focus is “And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Oh, Clement. Oh, loving. Oh, sweet Virgin Mary,” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, one Glory Be, and the Hail Holy Queen.

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    Day 20: Eyes of Mercy

    January 20th, 2025  |  9 mins 46 secs
    advocate, hail holy queen, hail mary, marian prayer, mary, mercy, mother of god, mother of jesus, prayer, praying through mary, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year

    You are enough for God. Fr. Mark-Mary contemplates Mary’s Magnificat, reminding us that Mary and Jesus look upon us with eyes of mercy, rejoicing in our offerings of love to them, no matter how small we think they are. As we slowly build up our Rosary, prayer by prayer, these sincere acts of love are pleasing offerings to God. Today’s focus is “Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us,” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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    Day 19: Valley of Tears

    January 19th, 2025  |  8 mins 51 secs
    hail holy queen, hail mary, hope, marian prayer, mary, mother of god, mother of jesus, praying through mary, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, suffering, tears, valley of tears

    We may be in a valley of tears, but we are never alone. Fr. Mark-Mary reads from the Gospel of John, revealing that the Blessed Mother has shared in our sufferings, and in the Rosary, is always with us. We are blessed to have Mary, who knew both suffering and the hope of God’s promises, as a perfect mother who will always love us. Today’s focus is “To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears,,” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.