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

Day 43: The Veil is Torn (2026)

February 12th, 2026  |  9 mins 44 secs

cross, crucifixion, heaven, historical context, hope, old testament, pope benedict xvi, psalm 22, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, salvation, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries

Are Jesus’ last words on the cross from Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me,” a cry of despair, or a revelation of hope? Fr. Mark-Mary shares a meditation on God’s response to Jesus in the mystery of the Crucifixion, expressing the certainty of salvation that we too can hope to share in. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Crucifixion, and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

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

Day 42: Sent into Exile (2026)

February 11th, 2026  |  9 mins 48 secs

2 corinthians, carrying of the cross, cross, hebrews, historical context, old testament, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, scapegoat, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries

In the Old Testament, the scapegoat was led outside of the city, bearing the sins of the people. In a striking parallel, the fourth Sorrowful mystery of the Rosary features Jesus being led outside of the city, bearing the people’s sins. Fr. Mark-Mary dives into this parallel, leading us in a meditation for our Rosary. 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.

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

Day 17: Turn On the Light (2026)

January 17th, 2026  |  10 mins 29 secs

cross, faith, how to pray, prayer, praying, psalms, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sign of the cross

Catholics may be very familiar with the Sign of the Cross, but this short prayer has deep significance. Fr. Mark-Mary shares the Biblical origins of the Sign of the Cross, reading from Matthew’s Gospel and the book of Psalms to explain how this prayer can allow us to see life as God does and proclaim our Faith as we say the Rosary. Today’s focus is “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 297: The Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries

October 24th, 2025  |  16 mins 44 secs

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Today we journey through four powerful mysteries that reveal the depth of Christ’s love and the glory of his victory. We begin with the Crowning with Thorns, where Jesus endures mockery and pain with silent strength. We then follow him in the Carrying of the Cross, sharing in his burden and the weight of his sacrifice. At the Crucifixion, we stand before the Cross and contemplate the mercy poured out for our salvation. Finally, we rejoice in the Resurrection, when Christ conquers death and opens the way to eternal life. These mysteries remind us that from suffering comes redemption, and through the cross comes everlasting hope. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Crowning with Thorns, Carrying of the Cross, Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. We will be praying four decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 271: The Sorrowful Mysteries

September 28th, 2025  |  14 mins 17 secs

ascension, building, building up the decades, carrying of the cross, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, cross, crowning, crowning with thorns, 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, scourging, scourging at the pillar, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, three decades

In the Sorrowful Mysteries, we behold the depth of Christ’s suffering and love for us. At the Scourging at the Pillar, His body is torn by cruel lashes. In the Crowning with Thorns, He is mocked and humiliated. As He carries the Cross, each step bears the weight of our sins. In these mysteries, we are called to accept our own sufferings with patience, to remain steadfast in faith amid trials, and to follow Christ with courage and love. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Scourging at the Pillar, the Crowning with Thorns, and the Carrying of the Cross. 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

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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 251: The Sorrowful Mysteries

September 8th, 2025  |  13 mins 44 secs

ascension, building, building up the decades, carrying of the cross, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, cross, crown, crowning, crowning with thorns, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, 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 meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries, we enter into the depth of our Lord’s Passion. The Scourging at the Pillar, the Crowning with Thorns, and the Carrying of the Cross each draw Christ nearer to the ultimate act of love—His death on the Cross. Let us unite our own trials and sufferings with His sacrifice. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Scourging at the Pillar, the Crowning with Thorns, and the Carrying of the Cross. We will be praying three decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 235: The Crowning with Thorns and the Carrying of the Cross

August 23rd, 2025  |  11 mins 27 secs

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In prayer, we focus on the third Sorrowful Mystery, the Crowning with Thorns, and the fourth Sorrowful Mystery, the Carrying of the Cross. In the mockery of Jesus as King, we behold the profound humility and suffering He freely embraces. On the road to Calvary, we reflect on His encounter with Simon of Cyrene, who shares in the weight of the cross and meets salvation face to face. These mysteries draw us into deeper surrender as we say yes to carrying our own crosses each day in union with Christ. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Crowning with Thorns and the Carrying of the Cross and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 225: Bring It to Jesus

August 13th, 2025  |  11 mins 6 secs

ascension, building, building up the decades, carrying of the cross, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, cross, crown, crowning, crowning with thorns, decades, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, intercessory prayer, jesus, jesus carrying his cross, meditating, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, sorrowful mystery, thorn, two decades

Continuing the focus on intercessory prayer, Fr. Mark-Mary invites us to bring the intentions on our hearts directly to Jesus. He encourages us to imagine the Lord drawing near—whether to rejoice with us, to comfort us, or simply to be present with love and power. With trust in Christ’s nearness and care, we are called to lay down our intentions and enter prayer with openness and faith. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Crowning with Thorns and the Carrying of the Cross and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 215: Here With Jesus

August 3rd, 2025  |  12 mins 30 secs

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Imagine Jesus present in your everyday environment—your home, school, office, or car. While we often picture Him in distant historical settings, Fr. Mark-Mary encourages us to experience Jesus coming to us in the here and now. This kind of imaginative prayer deepens our relationship with Jesus by making His love and presence tangible in the ordinary moments of our lives. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Crowning with Thorns and the Carrying of the Cross and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary.

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