The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames) - Episodes Tagged with “Annunciation”

Day 89: Long Desired

Ascension — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 03:15:00 -0400

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.

Day 69: Nothing is Impossible

Ascension — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 03:15:00 -0400

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.

Day 24: Still, Small Voice (2026)

Ascension — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 03:15:00 -0500

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.

Day 363: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 03:15:00 -0500

As we come together to pray the Joyful Mysteries, Fr. Mark-Mary calls us to place our lives before the Lord with the same trust and openness shown by Mary. He reflects on how God brings life to what feels empty or lifeless, choosing humble hearts as His dwelling place. We are encouraged to persevere in prayer, to seek Jesus with renewed desire, and to allow Him to gather our scattered hearts into a deeper love for the Father. Today’s focus is the Joyful Mysteries, and we’ll be praying the full Rosary.

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

Day 361: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 03:15:00 -0500

Today, Fr. Mark-Mary invites us to bring our worries, our smallness, and our longing into God’s presence with confidence that nothing is impossible for Him. He reflects on the way God is drawn to humility, lifting us where we cannot lift ourselves, and in the quiet peace that comes from beholding Christ with a childlike heart. Even moments of spiritual dryness, he notes, can lead us into deeper relationship as we seek the Lord anew. Today’s focus is the Joyful Mysteries, and we’ll be praying the full Rosary.

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

Day 356: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 03:15:00 -0500

We journey again through the Joyful Mysteries, stopping to meditate with Jan van Eyck’s depiction of the Annunciation and its reminder to keep in conversation with God. Fr. Mark-Mary reminds us of St. Joseph’s essential role in the Nativity. We meditate on Mary’s sacrifice revealed in the Presentation in the Temple, and the call to turn to God in the Finding in the Temple. Today's focus is the Joyful Mysteries, and we’ll be praying the full Rosary.

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

Day 354: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 03:15:00 -0500

Today, Fr. Mark-Mary prays with the Joyful Mysteries, beginning with the Annunciation and the beautiful tension St. Bernard describes as all of heaven awaiting Mary’s “yes.” In the Visitation, he reminds us that although we don’t know every detail of our future, God gives enough light for each step. At the Nativity, he encourages us to bring our whole hearts—joys and sorrows alike—to the newborn Christ. He then reflects on the Presentation through Anna’s long waiting and God’s tender gaze. Finally, in the Finding in the Temple, we learn from Mary’s calm, confident pondering as she receives everything in love. Today’s focus is the Joyful Mysteries, and we’ll be praying the full Rosary.

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

Day 349: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 03:15:00 -0500

We return to Fra Angelico’s painting of The Annunciation and Giulio Campi’s fresco of the Presentation in the Temple as Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in meditation on the reverence and faith revealed in the Joyful Mysteries. Our prayer explores themes of humility, God’s love for us, and the importance of keeping our eyes on Jesus. Today's focus is the Joyful Mysteries, and we’ll be praying the full Rosary.

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

Day 347: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 03:15:00 -0500

Our meditations for today’s Rosary remind us of how God so often moves in unexpected ways. Fr. Mark-Mary reminds us of the prophecy shared with Zechariah and Elizabeth, concurrent with the Annunciation. Instead of the Messiah coming to a priest in the Temple, the Messiah is given to a hidden, lowly woman. Similarly, the Holy Family’s journey to Bethlehem was surely difficult, yet God was working through this to fulfill Micah 5:2. Today's focus is the Joyful Mysteries, and we’ll be praying the full Rosary.

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

Day 342: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 03:15:00 -0500

As we enter into today’s meditation, Fr. Mark-Mary guides us through the Joyful Mysteries with reflections on grace, trust, and the hidden beauty of God’s work in our lives. We reflect on Mary’s humble courage at the Annunciation, the transforming joy of her encounter with Elizabeth, and the gentle invitation to draw close to Christ in the Nativity. We’re called to seek Jesus with the same relentless love shown by Mary and Joseph in the Finding in the Temple. God meets us in our littleness and invites us into deeper trust and wonder. Today’s focus is the Joyful Mysteries, and we’ll be praying the full Rosary.

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

Day 340: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 03:15:00 -0500

Journeying through the Joyful Mysteries, Fr. Mark-Mary shares meditations on Mary’s yes to a person, not a plan, the sheer joy of the Nativity, and the importance of seeking Jesus. The Joyful Mysteries can remind us of God’s faithfulness to his promises, revealed through Mary’s Visitation, Simeon and Anna in the Temple, and the finding of Jesus. Today's focus is the Joyful Mysteries, and we’ll be praying the full Rosary.

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

Day 332: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 03:15:00 -0500

Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in prayer with five decades of the Rosary, as we utilize the meditation "muscles" we've built up in each phase of the Rosary in a Year. You can find more resources for meditation on each of the mysteries, including Sacred Art, Saint Reflections, and Bible Verses under each episode in the Ascension App, to aid in your meditation. Today's focus is the Joyful Mysteries: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Presentation in the Temple, and the Finding in the Temple.

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

Day 328: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 03:15:00 -0500

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

Day 324: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 03:15:00 -0500

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

Day 320: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 03:15:00 -0500

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

Day 316: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 03:15:00 -0500

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

Day 312: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 03:15:00 -0500

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

Day 308: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 03:15:00 -0500

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

Day 304: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 03:15:00 -0400

Today we begin praying five mysteries, our final step of building up the decades before we move to the full rosary. As we walk through each set of mysteries, we use our now-strengthened meditation muscles, moving from one mystery to the next, following the story of Jesus’ childhood and Mary’s fiat. Today’s focus is the Joyful Mysteries. We will be praying five decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 299: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 03:15:00 -0400

Today we pray through four Joyful Mysteries that draw us into the beauty of God’s plan unfolding through Mary and the early life of Jesus. We begin with the Annunciation, when Mary humbly accepts God’s call to bear His Son. We then move to the Visitation, reflecting on her loving service to Elizabeth and the joy that fills their encounter. Next, we celebrate the Nativity, rejoicing in the birth of Christ, the Light of the world. Finally, we meditate on the Presentation in the Temple, where Mary and Joseph offer Jesus to the Father, fulfilling the law with faith and devotion. These mysteries invite us to enter into Mary’s trust, her obedience, and the deep joy that comes from saying yes to God. 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.

Day 294: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 03:15:00 -0400

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.

Day 289: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 03:15:00 -0400

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 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.

Day 284: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 03:15:00 -0400

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.

Day 279: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 03:15:00 -0400

Fr. Mark-Mary leads us through the first four Joyful Mysteries. As we pray through the Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, and Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the mystery of the Incarnation and God’s promises are fulfilled. These Joyful Mysteries reveal the humility of God made man, the faith and obedience of Mary, and the joy that Christ’s presence brings. They invite us to say “yes” to God’s will, to bring Christ to others, to welcome Him with open hearts, and to dedicate our lives to the Father in faith and love. 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.

Day 274: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 03:15:00 -0400

As we continue to move through our slow build, today we begin praying four mysteries of the Rosary. Fr. Mark-Mary draws the connection between our pace, and the pace of communal prayer, reminding us that as we listen, we pray together with the community of believers, those praying through the Rosary in a Year, religious orders who pray the Rosary in community, and all Catholics praying the Rosary. 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.

Day 267: The Glorious and Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 03:15:00 -0400

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 260: The Glorious and Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 03:15:00 -0400

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 254: The Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 03:15:00 -0400

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 247: The Glorious and Joyful Mysteries

Ascension — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 03:15:00 -0400

Today we begin our three decades by meditating on the Coronation of Mary, honoring her as Queen of Heaven and earth. Moving into the Joyful Mysteries, we meditate on the Annunciation and the Visitation. These moments in Mary’s life invite us to contemplate her openness to God’s will and her generous heart in serving others. As we continue praying three decades each day, we are drawn deeper into relationship with God. 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 239: The Annunciation and the Visitation

Ascension — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 03:15:00 -0400

Fr. Mark-Mary invites us to dive deeper into our meditation while we pray with the Annunciation and the Visitation. As we revisit these familiar moments, we’re invited to take a new angle each time, meditating on different details, characters, or movements of the Spirit. Whether it’s Mary’s yes, the angel’s greeting, or Elizabeth’s joyful welcome, each prayer opens the door to new graces. We deepen our rhythm of prayer, asking God to help us fall in love with these mysteries all over again. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Annunciation and the Visitation and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 230: The Nativity and the Presentation

Ascension — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 03:15:00 -0400

In today’s episode, we continue praying simply and slowly with the mysteries themselves. Fr. Mark-Mary guides us in reflecting on the birth of Jesus, God made flesh, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and the joy and warmth surrounding the Nativity. We then turn to the Presentation in the Temple, where Simeon and Anna recognize the Messiah and Mary hears the first prophecy of her coming sorrow. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Nativity and the Presentation, and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 229: The Annunciation and the Visitation

Ascension — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 03:15:00 -0400

Today, we begin moving into meditation with the mysteries of the Rosary. Fr. Mark-Mary gently reminds us of the major themes of the Annunciation and the Visitation, inviting us to draw upon our mental meditation archive as we pray. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Annunciation and the Visitation, and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 221: Words of an Angel

Ascension — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 03:15:00 -0400

By reflecting on the angel Gabriel’s greeting to Mary from Luke 1:28, we are guided through the opening words of the Hail Mary with renewed attentiveness. Fr. Mark-Mary encourages us to enter into a practice of focused prayer, gently strengthening our capacity for meditation and contemplation. This steady, grace-filled approach helps us grow in spiritual intimacy with God. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Finding of Jesus in the Temple and Baptism of Jesus and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 219: The Gift of Prayer

Ascension — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 03:15:00 -0400

We begin meditating on the words of the prayers as we pray our decades of the Rosary. Fr. Mark-Mary encourages us to focus on the words of the Our Father, recalling the gift of this prayer that Jesus gave to his disciples in Matthew 6:9. In these words, we sit with Jesus as he teaches us to pray, leading us to the Father. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Annunciation and the Visitation, and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 189: Beginning Our Meditation

Ascension — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 03:15:00 -0400

We begin Phase 4: Finding Focus today, reviewing several topics for meditation on the Annunciation. Putting the mental meditation archive we’ve been building into practice, Fr. Mark-Mary leads us through prayer prompts and a decade of the rosary. 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.

Day 169: The Faithful “Yes”

Ascension — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 03:15:00 -0400

What does it mean to say “yes” to God with complete trust? Reflecting on Jan van Eyck’s painting of the Annunciation, Fr. Mark-Mary explores how Mary’s faithful response marks the fulfillment of the Old Testament and invites us to a similar surrender. We are called to recognize God’s presence in all circumstances and to keep our focus and trust rooted in Him. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Annunciation and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

All of the Sacred Art we’ll be meditating with can be found in the Rosary in a Year Prayer Guide, for free linked in the complete prayer plan, or in the Ascension App. For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 129: A Disposition of Reverence

Ascension — Fri, 09 May 2025 03:15:00 -0400

Fr. Mark-Mary begins our visio divina episodes with a meditation on The Annunciation by Fra Angelico. We contemplate the reverence and solemnity depicted in Mary and the Angel, and consider the parallels to Genesis shown in the mystery of the Annunciation. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Annunciation and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

All of the Sacred Art we’ll be meditating with can be found in the Rosary in a Year Prayer Guide, for free linked in the complete prayer plan, or in the Ascension App. For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Day 109: The Gift of Wonder

Ascension — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 03:15:00 -0400

St. Gregory Thaumaturgus means St. Gregory the “wonder worker,” Fr. Mark-Mary tells us. Leading us through a reading from St. Gregory, Fr. Mark-Mary directs us to meditate on the true wonder of the Annunciation. God has come to save his people, wanting them to experience forgiveness and freedom. 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.

Day 89: Long Desired

Ascension — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 03:15:00 -0400

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

Day 69: Nothing is Impossible

Ascension — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 03:15:00 -0400

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

Day 24: Still, Small Voice

Ascension — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 03:15:00 -0500

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