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

Day 245: The Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries

September 2nd, 2025  |  13 mins 25 secs

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We continue to build spiritual endurance through the rhythm of daily prayer. Meditating first on the carrying of the cross and the crucifixion and death of Jesus, we enter deeply into his suffering and sacrifice. Then, we transition into hope as we pray the first Glorious Mystery, the Resurrection of our Lord. This movement from sorrow to triumph invites us to reflect on both the cost of redemption and the promise of eternal life. 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 236: The Crucifixion and the Resurrection

August 24th, 2025  |  12 mins 23 secs

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We pray with the fifth Sorrowful Mystery, the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus, and the first Glorious Mystery, his Resurrection. At the Cross, we witness Christ’s total self-gift, his mercy toward the repentant thief, and the sorrow of Mary who remains faithfully at His side. Then we move to the empty tomb, where light bursts from darkness and Jesus, risen and still bearing his wounds, offers hope that God is working for good even through suffering. These mysteries invite us to deeper trust in Jesus’ victory over death. Today’s focus is the mysteries of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection and we will be praying two decades of the Rosary.

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

Day 203: God’s Relentless Pursuit

July 22nd, 2025  |  15 mins 48 secs

ascension, catholic church, catholic faith, christ crucified, cross, crucifixion, death, father mark mary, father mark-mary, finding focus, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, good thief, independent meditation, meditation, my god my god why have you forsaken me, passion, pope benedict xvi, practice, prayer, prodigal son, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, sorrowful mystery

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Christ’s cry from the cross reveals not despair, but a prayer that carries the weight of human suffering to the heart of the Father. Fr. Mark-Mary draws connections to the prodigal son and the good thief, illustrating God’s relentless pursuit to bring His children home. The crucifixion becomes the fulfillment of God’s covenant, declaring that death, sorrow, and injustice will not have the final word, but life, mercy, and resurrection will. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Crucifixion and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

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

Day 104: Where is Your Sting?

April 14th, 2025  |  13 mins 33 secs

ascension, catholic church, catholic faith, death, eternal, eternity, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, resurrection, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, saint, saint reflections, temporary,  st. john chrysostom

Meditating on a reading from St. John Chrysostom, we recall that Jesus’ victory over death is eternal. Fr. Mark-Mary encourages us to take comfort in keeping eternal things eternal and temporary things temporary. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Resurrection and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

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

Day 83: Father Forgive Them

March 24th, 2025  |  16 mins 18 secs

ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, crucifixion, death, father mark mary, father mark-mary, forgive, forgiveness, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, jesus, lectio, lectio divina, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries

In the midst of the most tragic of circumstances, his crucifixion and death, what does Jesus say? Jesus prays for all of us, asking the Father to forgive. Today, Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in lectio divina, focusing on these words of Jesus, thanking Jesus for his mercy and incredible love. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Crucifixion and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

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

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.