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

Day 95: Moms are Special

April 5th, 2026  |  11 mins 30 secs

ascension, cana, catholic church, catholic faith, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, mom, moms, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, saint, saint reflections, st. alphonsus, st. alphonsus liguori, wedding, wedding feast at cana

Would Jesus have turned the water into wine if someone other than Mary had asked him? Fr. Mark-Mary, reading from  St. Alphonsus Liguori, reflects on the point that Jesus’ initial words to Mary at the Wedding at Cana have special symbolism. This short conversation tells us that Mary is special to Jesus, and her requests are special too. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Wedding Feast at Cana and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

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

Day 55: Water Into Wine (2026)

February 24th, 2026  |  12 mins 16 secs

cana, catholic, catholic church, catholicism, faith, homily, luminous mysteries, mary, meditation, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sacrifice, wedding, wedding at cana

In the Wedding Feast at Cana, we see Mary taking a new role: that of the initiator, asking Jesus to perform his first miracle. Fr. Mark-Mary unpacks this mystery, revealing the depth of Mary’s actions. By initiating Jesus’ public ministry, Mary is freely giving her son away, out of her great love for all of us. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Wedding Feast at Cana and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 21: Show Unto Us (2026)

January 21st, 2026  |  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 “Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us,” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, one Glory Be, and the Hail Holy Queen.

Day 256: The Luminous Mysteries

September 13th, 2025  |  13 mins 26 secs

ascension, building, building up the decades, cana, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, kingdom, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, proclamation of the kingdom, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, three decades, transfiguration, wedding, wedding at cana

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 249: The Luminous Mysteries

September 6th, 2025  |  13 mins 39 secs

ascension, baptism, baptism in the jordan, baptism of jesus, building, building up the decades, cana, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, luminous, luminous mysteries, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, proclamation, proclamation of the kingdom of god, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, three decades, wedding, wedding feast, wedding feast at cana

Our focus today is on the Luminous Mysteries—the Baptism of Jesus, the Wedding Feast at Cana, and the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. These moments mark the beginning of Christ’s public ministry and reveal His glory. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Baptism of Jesus, the Wedding Feast at Cana and the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 242: The Wedding Feast at Cana and Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion

August 30th, 2025  |  11 mins 45 secs

ascension, bored, boredom, building, building up the decades, call, call to conversion, cana, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, conversion, decades, distracted, distraction, dry, dryness, father mark mary, father mark-mary, focus, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, kingdom, luminous, luminous mysteries, luminous mystery, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, prayer tips, proclamation, proclamation of the kingdom, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, two decades, wedding, wedding at cana, wedding feast at cana

Are you feeling bored in your prayer life? Many experience a sense of spiritual dryness during mental prayer or while praying the Rosary. Fr. Mark-Mary reminds us that love often calls for perseverance, encouraging us to remain faithful in prayer even when it lacks emotional sweetness. He suggests exploring new approaches—such as meditating on sacred art, Scripture, or Church teachings—as fresh ways to reconnect with the mysteries and the Lord. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Wedding Feast at Cana and Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 232: The Wedding Feast at Cana and Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion

August 20th, 2025  |  10 mins 49 secs

ascension, building, building up the decades, call, call to conversion, cana, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, conversion, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, kingdom, luminous, luminous mysteries, luminous mystery, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, proclamation, proclamation of the kingdom, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, two decades, wedding, wedding at cana, wedding feast at cana

Fr. Mark-Mary invites us into a prayerful meditation on Jesus’ miracle at the Weeding in Cana and His proclamation of the Kingdom of God. At the wedding, we reflect on Mary’s attentiveness and Jesus’ willingness to act, stepping into His public ministry with generous love. As we hear the call to conversion, we’re reminded that Jesus Himself is the Kingdom made visible, drawing us closer through His words, His presence, and His saving work. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Wedding Feast at Cana and Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 222: Elizabeth’s Greeting

August 10th, 2025  |  11 mins 46 secs

ascension, blessed are you among women, blessed is the fruit of thy womb jesus, building, building up the decades, call, call to conversion, cana, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, conversation, decades, elizabeth, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, greeting of elizabeth, hail mary, imaginative prayer, kingdom, luminous, luminous mysteries, luminous mystery, mary, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, proclamation, proclamation of the kingdom, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, two decades, wedding, wedding at cana, wedding feast at cana

Contemplate Elizabeth’s joyful greeting: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Fr. Mark-Mary leads us with prayerful attentiveness to recognize the sacred wonder of Christ’s presence and mission revealed through Mary, His bearer. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we are invited to enter more deeply into the words of prayer, allowing them to shape our hearts in gratitude and ongoing conversion. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Wedding Feast at Cana and Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Wedding Feast at Cana and Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 212: Eternal Exchange of Love

July 31st, 2025  |  14 mins 33 secs

ascension, building, building up the decades, call, call to conversion, cana, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, conversation, decades, father, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, holy spirit, imaginative prayer, kingdom, love, luminous, luminous mysteries, luminous mystery, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, proclamation, proclamation of the kingdom, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, son, trinity, two decades, wedding, wedding at cana, wedding feast at cana

Opening with prayerful reflection, Father Mark-Mary invites listeners to contemplate the Holy Trinity not as an abstract concept but as a living communion of love—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Drawing from the Catechism, he highlights that God’s innermost secret is His very being as love, revealed through Christ and the Holy Spirit. We are personally invited to enter and share in this love. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Wedding Feast at Cana and Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 195: New Wine, New Life

July 14th, 2025  |  14 mins 24 secs

ascension, cana, catholic church, catholic faith, do whatever he tells you, father mark mary, father mark-mary, finding focus, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, independent meditation, jesus, love, luminous mysteries, luminous mystery, mary, meditation, practice, prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, wedding, wedding at cana, wedding feast at cana

“Do whatever He tells you.” Mary’s powerful words at the Wedding Feast at Cana urge us to trust Jesus wholeheartedly. This moment reveals Jesus as the divine bridegroom who brings transformation, joy, and new life into our lives. We are reminded that Jesus and Mary see our needs and respond with deep love and care, even when we do not realize it. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Wedding Feast at Cana and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

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