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

Day 85: The Blessing Never Stops

March 26th, 2025  |  16 mins 15 secs

apostles, ascension, blessing, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, glorious, glorious mysteries, jesus, lectio, lectio divina, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year

In his glorified body, Jesus no longer has physical limitations. This is why, Fr. Mark-Mary explains, Jesus’ blessing upon the Apostles, and therefore us, never ends after he ascends to heaven. Likewise, the Apostles’ reciprocation never ends. We pray lectio divina, meditating on Jesus’ eternal blessing, and our continuous response. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Ascension 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 82: Simon’s Choice

March 23rd, 2025  |  15 mins 47 secs

ascension, carrying of the cross, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, cross, decisions, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, jesus, lectio, lectio divina, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, simon, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, suffering

During Jesus’ passion, the gospel tells us that a man named Simon was compelled to carry Jesus’ cross. In this moment, Simon was given a decision: to fight back against this injustice, or to make the choice to carry this cross and draw close to Jesus. We are all given difficult or even unjust crosses to carry, and Fr. Mark-Mary calls us to reflect upon how we react to these in today’s lectio divina. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Carrying of the Cross and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

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

Day 81: Behold Your King

March 22nd, 2025  |  15 mins 34 secs

ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, crowning, crowning with thorns, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, jesus, king, kingship, lectio, lectio divina, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sacrifice, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, thorns, true king

Although the Roman soldiers mockingly hail Jesus as king, Fr. Mark-Mary explains that in this mystery we see the reality of Jesus’ true kingship and dignity. In our prayer of lectio divina, we meditate on Jesus’ incredible sacrifice for us, and we receive the good news that we worship the true king. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Crowning with Thorns and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

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

Day 80: His Blood For You

March 21st, 2025  |  15 mins 3 secs

ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, jesus, lectio, lectio divina, love, passion, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sacrifice, scourging, scourging at the pillar, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, worth

Jesus freely endured the suffering of the scourging because of his great love for us. Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in lectio divina, meditating on the depth of Jesus’ love for us and how he wants us to receive the gift of his love. We allow ourselves to behold the sign of our worth: Jesus giving everything to save us. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Scourging at the Pillar and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

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

Day 79: Trust like Jesus

March 20th, 2025  |  15 mins 41 secs

agony, agony in the garden, ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fidelity, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, jesus, lectio, lectio divina, obedience, passion, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sorrowful, sorrowful mysteries, trust

When Jesus is sorrowful in the Garden of Gethsemane, he stays in relationship with the Father, trusting in the Father’s plan. Fr. Mark-Mary invites us to sit with Jesus, trusting in the Father when we are sorrowful and afraid, following the Son’s example. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Agony in the Garden and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

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

Day 78: Given for You

March 19th, 2025  |  15 mins 28 secs

ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, communion, eucharist, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, institution of the eucharist, jesus, last supper, lectio, lectio divina, luminous, luminous mysteries, passion, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year

At the last supper, Jesus tells his disciples that he earnestly desires to eat the Passover with them. Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in lectio divina, meditating on Jesus’ longing, his earnest desire, to give himself to us. We place ourselves in the scene of the Last Supper and hear Jesus tell us, “this is for you.” Today’s focus is the mystery of the Institution of the Eucharist and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

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

Day 77: Have No Fear

March 18th, 2025  |  15 mins

ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, confidence, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fear, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, jesus, lectio, lectio divina, luminous, luminous mysteries, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, transfiguration

When we experience fear and doubt, we can turn to the Father’s revelation that Jesus is the one we have been looking for. Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in lectio divina as we meditate on Jesus' gentle reassurance to the Apostles, telling them to rise and have no fear. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Transfiguration and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary.

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

Day 75: Jesus and Mary See You

March 16th, 2025  |  15 mins 37 secs

ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, father mark mary, father mark-mary, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, jesus, lectio, lectio divina, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, new wine, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, wedding, wedding at cana, wine

At the Wedding Feast at Cana, Mary notices first that the wine has run out. Fr. Mark-Mary explains that this means Mary and Jesus are invested in us. They are looking for our areas of need, so that Jesus can give us the new wine. We pray lectio divina, meditating on the truth that we are not alone. 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 65: Returning Home

March 6th, 2025  |  9 mins 48 secs

apostles, ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholicism, faith, glorious, glorious mysteries, heaven, home, jesus, pope benedict xvi, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year

Did Jesus leave us when he ascended to heaven? Fr. Mark-Mary answers this question, leading us in a meditation on the certainty of Jesus’ perpetual presence with us in all times and places. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Ascension and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.