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

Day 38: Food for the Journey (2026)

February 7th, 2026  |  14 mins 51 secs

abraham, eucharist, exodus, historical context, institution of the eucharist, lamb of god, last supper, luminous, luminous mysteries, manna, meditation, melchizedek, old testament, passover, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year

In the institution of the Holy Eucharist Jesus is revealed as the Bread of Life that sustains us to the promised land. Fr. Mark-Mary draws upon the Old Testament to reveal how this mystery was foreshadowed, and what salvation history can tell us about Jesus and the Eucharist. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Institution of the Eucharist 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 37: To Be Transfigured (2026)

February 6th, 2026  |  11 mins

completion, exodus, glory, heaven, historical context, journey, light, luminous, luminous mysteries, meditation, moses, old testament, pilgrimage, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, transfiguration

The mystery of the Transfiguration is a glimpse of heaven, giving us an image of the home Jesus has prepared for us. Fr. Mark-Mary takes us on a journey in the book of Exodus as we explore Jesus’ fulfillment of the Old Testament. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Transfiguration and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 36: The Kingdom and the Gospel (2026)

February 5th, 2026  |  10 mins 9 secs

conversion, good news, gospel, historical context, kingdom, luminous, luminous mysteries, meditation, old testament, proclamation, proclamation of the kingdom and the call to conversion, repentance, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year

The Lord is here and he is at work! Fr. Mark-Mary reminds us that we don’t have to save ourselves: Jesus is proclaiming the Good News and acting for good in our lives, just as he acts in this third Luminous Mystery of the Rosary. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Proclamation of the Kingdom and the Call to Conversion and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 35: Divine Bridegroom (2026)

February 4th, 2026  |  12 mins 2 secs

bride, bridegroom, historical context, hosea, luminous, luminous mysteries, miracle, miracles, new covenant, new creation, old testament, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, seven, wedding, wedding at cana, wedding feast

Sometimes we can feel like we’ve run out of wine, we’ve run out of sweetness in our lives. However, as the Divine Bridegroom, Jesus will provide the wine. Fr. Mark-Mary explains the spiritual significance of the miracle at the Wedding Feast at Cana and meditates on the depth of Jesus’ love. 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.

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

Day 34: The Anointed One (2026)

February 3rd, 2026  |  13 mins 28 secs

baptism, day of atonement, historical context, jordan river, lamb, lamb of god, luminous, luminous mysteries, meditation, messiah, old testament, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, sacrifice, scapegoat, sin

Each of the Luminous mysteries reveal an aspect of Jesus’ nature and mission. Fr. Mark-Mary draws on the history of the Jordan River and the Jewish Day of Atonement, historical details that reveal Jesus as Messiah and sacrifice in this mystery of the Rosary. Today’s focus is the mystery of The Baptism of Jesus and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.

Day 359: The Luminous Mysteries

December 25th, 2025  |  30 mins 29 secs

alphonsus liguori, ambrose, ascension, baptism, baptism in the jordan, call to conversion, call to repentance, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, eucharist, father mark mary, father mark-mary, five decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, healing, imaginative prayer, institution of the eucharist, intercession, intercessory prayer, lepers, luminous, luminous mysteries, meditating, meditation archive, meditation muscles, meditative prayer, peter, poco a poco, prayer, praying together, proclamation of the kingdom, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, tissot, transfiguration, washing, wedding, wedding at cana

We reflect on the moments in Jesus’ ministry that reveal his identity and invite our response of faith as we pray the Luminous mysteries. We revisit several of our Saint reflections as Fr. Mark-Mary highlights St. Ambrose’s teaching on the Father’s voice proclaiming Jesus as the beloved Son, and St. Alphonsus Liguori’s reflection on Mary’s unique intercessory role. As we continue through the mysteries, Fr. Mark-Mary reflects on James Tissot’s depiction of the grateful leper as a symbol of the Proclamation of the Kingdom, the disciples’ mountaintop experience in the Transfiguration, and Jesus washing the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. Today's focus is the Luminous Mysteries, and we’ll be praying the full Rosary.

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

Day 352: The Luminous Mysteries

December 18th, 2025  |  28 mins 14 secs

ascension, baptism, baptism in the jordan, call to conversion, call to repentance, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, eucharist, father mark mary, father mark-mary, five decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, fresco, imaginative prayer, institution of the eucharist, intercessory prayer, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, meditating, meditation archive, meditation muscles, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, praying together, proclamation of the kingdom, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, st. augustine, transfiguration, wedding, wedding at cana

Fr. Mark-Mary shares insights on the Luminous Mysteries. In the Baptism of Jesus, he reminds us that the light of Christ shines even in the shadow of the cross, and at the Wedding at Cana, we see Mary noticing our needs and interceding with tender care. He meditates on Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom and His call to a deeper, more generous love, and on the Transfiguration as the moment when Christ reveals His radiant divinity. Finally, we are called to marvel at the “creativity of love” in the Eucharist, where Jesus remains with us in every place and circumstance. Today’s focus is the Luminous Mysteries, and we’ll be praying the full Rosary.

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

Day 345: The Luminous Mysteries

December 11th, 2025  |  27 mins 37 secs

ascension, baptism, baptism in the jordan, call to conversion, call to repentance, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, eucharist, father mark mary, father mark-mary, five decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, institution of the eucharist, intercessory prayer, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, meditating, meditation archive, meditation muscles, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, praying together, proclamation of the kingdom, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, transfiguration, wedding, wedding at cana

Gathering in prayer, we turn to the Luminous Mysteries as Fr. Mark-Mary invites us to rediscover our identity as the Father’s beloved children in the light of Jesus’ Baptism. At the Wedding at Cana, we reflect on Mary’s courageous willingness to offer her Son for the sake of God’s plan and the good of the world. Jesus proclaims the Kingdom and calls us to open our hearts, and during the Transfiguration, He reveals a glory that draws us beyond our distractions and into deeper wonder. In the Eucharist, we encounter the burning desire of Jesus’ heart for communion with us. Today’s focus is the Luminous Mysteries, and we’ll be praying the full Rosary.
Today's focus is the Luminous Mysteries, and we’ll be praying the full Rosary.

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

Day 338: The Luminous Mysteries

December 4th, 2025  |  26 mins 58 secs

ascension, baptism, baptism in the jordan, call to conversion, call to repentance, catholic church, catholic faith, christ in the storm, contemplative prayer, decades, eucharist, father mark mary, father mark-mary, five decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, institution of the eucharist, intercessory prayer, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, meditating, meditation archive, meditation muscles, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, praying together, proclamation of the kingdom, relational prayer, rembrandt, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, transfiguration, wedding, wedding at cana

As we pray the Luminous mysteries, Fr. Mark-Mary shares reflections on the relationship between Jesus’ baptism and ours, an encouragement to climb the mountain with Jesus, and we’re invited to greater trust and surrender to the Father. We’re reminded of the new wine offered to us at Cana, and briefly return to Rembrant’s painting, Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee. Today's focus is the Luminous Mysteries.

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

Day 333: The Luminous Mysteries

November 29th, 2025  |  20 mins 17 secs

ascension, baptism, baptism inth e jordan, building, building up the decades, call to conversion, call to repentance, catholic church, catholic faith, contemplative prayer, decades, eucharist, father mark mary, father mark-mary, five decades, fr. mark mary, fr. mark-mary, imaginative prayer, institution of the eucharist, intercessory prayer, luminous, luminous mysteries, mary, meditating, meditation archive, meditation muscles, meditative prayer, poco a poco, prayer, proclamation of the kingdom, relational prayer, riy, rosary, rosary in a year, rosary-in-a-year, transfiguration, wedding, wedding at cana

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 Luminous Mysteries: the Baptism in the Jordan, the Wedding Feast at Cana, the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion, the Transfiguration, and the Institution of the Eucharist.

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