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

We continue deepening our practice of relational prayer, focusing on Jesus the Son. We place ourselves in his presence not abstractly, but intimately, as we step into the moment with him. This prayer time is not only for today’s encounter, but also for forming the habit of being with Christ so that in future decades, you can return to this space, this awareness, this relationship. Today’s focus is...

Today we begin Phase 5: Building Up the Decades. We begin to deepen not only the quantity but especially the quality of our prayer. This next phase is all about growing our capacity for contemplative, relational prayer, poco a poco, little by little. We pray two decades of the Joyful Mysteries, with a special focus on our relationship with God the Father who has made himself known to us, not throu...

Fr. Mark-Mary is joined by Dr. Edward Sri as they discuss practical tips for growing your devotion to the rosary and persevering through dry periods in prayer. Dr. Sri shares inspiring stories about Pope Saint John Paul II's Rosary devotion and discusses how modern distractions challenge our ability to pray, while offering advice on creating more spaces of prayer in everyday life. As a husband and...

In the mystery of Mary’s coronation, we dive into the depths of Mary’s role as queen and mother. Fr. Mark-Mary reviews some of the many layers of this mystery: Mary’s role as an intercessor, her love for us as a protector and defender, and God’s profound love represented in the gifts he has given Mary. We ask for Mary’s intercession as we seek God’s grace through prayer. Today’s focus is the myste...

 Those of us who wish to experience the fulfillment of God's promises in our lives are called to make the journey through life to heaven just like Mary did: fiat by fiat. Fr. Mark-Mary walks through our meditation archive, reminding us that the Assumption reveals how God will fulfill his promises and inspires us to our homecoming in heaven. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Assumption and we wil...

In Pentecost, the Church receives the promise of the Father: the Holy Spirit. Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in meditation with the Holy Spirit, focusing on Pentecost as a prayer event, the Apostle’s reception of the New Wine, and Mary’s confidence in the overshadowing of the Spirit. We drink deeply of this new wine as we pray our decade of the Rosary. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Descent of the Ho...

Fr. Mark-Mary explains that the Ascension is not Christ’s departure, but the perfection of His presence with us. No longer limited by time or space, Jesus is now intimately present to each of us in a divine way. Through acts of charity and love, we follow in His footsteps and are drawn into deeper union with Him. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Ascension and we will be praying one decade of th...

The Resurrection was a transformation of life that transcended death, bringing hope, healing, and renewal to all of creation. Fr. Mark-Mary emphasizes that this new reality is not just a return from death but a glorified existence that calls us into deeper trust and faith. Through this mystery, we can be confident in Christ’s pursuit of our hearts and His power to bring light even into our darkest...

“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, sorr...

Fr. Mark-Mary connects Jesus carrying His cross to Christ as the new scapegoat, freely taking on the exile, rejection, and sins of all humanity and carrying them to His place of crucifixion. Simon of Cyrene had the opportunity to let his suffering draw him closer to Jesus—an invitation extended to each of us in our own crosses of loss, illness, or pain. When we unite our suffering with His, our cr...

Mocked and spat upon, Christ crowned with thorns fulfills the image of the suffering servant—humble in agony, yet still the King, still victorious. Fr. Mark-Mary invites us to behold Him, as Pilate once did, and examine our own heart. Are we offering our worship and loyalty to the Lord or to the world? Are we burdened by sins of indifference or misplaced priorities? Let us respond with renewed fid...

We follow the trajectory of the Scourging, beginning with sorrow as we behold the results of sin in Jesus scourged, are encouraged to respond by consoling Jesus as he suffers, and finally contemplate that despite man’s betrayal of Jesus, nothing can extinguish his glory. Fr. Mark-Mary leads us to see Jesus’ victory in the Passion and stay with Jesus in his suffering. Today’s focus is the mystery o...

The Agony in the Garden reveals deep truths, shared by Fr. Mark-Mary, as we return to three prior meditation topics. The nature of sin is unveiled, as we draw the connection to the prodigal son. Jesus sets an example for us, staying in dialogue with the Father despite his suffering. And finally, through the example of Judas, we’re reminded that Jesus is always calling us back, no matter how dim we...

The Holy Eucharist is one of the greatest signs of Jesus’ love. With Fr. Mark-Mary, we return to the mystery of the Institution of the Eucharist, diving into the creativity of love and the abyss of love revealed at the Last Supper. Finally, we experience Jesus’ peace, given to us through the Eucharist. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Institution of the Eucharist and we will be praying one deca...

We’re invited to faithfulness in prayer and a journey to the mountaintop in the Transfiguration. Returning to this mystery, Fr. Mark-Mary meditates on the theme of Jesus’ revelation of himself, our contemplation on the mountaintop, and our reading from St. Anastasius of Sinai. As we pray our decade of the rosary, Fr. Mark-Mary leads us into a mountaintop experience, and then as we descend, invites...

We review our meditations focused on the Proclamation of the Kingdom, recalling Jesus’ call to us, asking us to become residents of the kingdom of heaven. Revisiting Rembrant’s Storm of the Sea of Galilee and St. Augustine’s writing, Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in prayer of a decade of the rosary. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion and we will be pray...

“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 a...

Reflecting on the Baptism of Jesus, Fr. Mark-Mary emphasizes that our own baptism equips us with the identity and strength needed to face spiritual trials. Drawing from Scripture and the works of St. Ambrose, he underscores the Father's declaration of Jesus as His beloved Son as a source of assurance in faith and personal identity. He also reminds us that while the path of discipleship includes th...

Our guided meditation on the fifth Joyful Mystery, the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, highlights the faith and trust of Mary and Joseph when faced with unexpected events and limited understanding. The quiet transition of leadership within the Holy Family, as Joseph’s protective role gives way to Jesus' revelation of His divine mission is also emphasized. Fr. Mark-Mary invites us to seek God with...

Through storytelling and scripture, Fr. Mark-Mary explores the sacrificial freedom expressed by both Jesus and Mary during the Presentation in the Temple. Mary’s renewed “yes” is a powerful witness to steadfast faith. We are reminded to remain anchored in Christ with unwavering trust. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Presentation in the Temple and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary. Fo...

Fr. Mark-Mary reflects on the Nativity, emphasizing the overwhelming joy and sense of unworthiness that can accompany encountering the gift of Jesus. We are invited to contemplate the transformative love offered through the birth of Christ. Using Scripture, sacred imagery, and prayer, we are drawn into an intimate encounter with Jesus, who offers not only salvation but also warmth and affection. T...

We continue practicing meditation with our mental archive, returning to Mary as the Ark of the Covenant, understanding the Visitation as our invitation to song, and Mary’s charity and love towards us. With Fr. Mark-Mary, we pray through the “four R’s,” asking God to reveal his grace to us through the mystery. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Visitation and we will be praying one decade of the R...

We begin Phase 4: Finding Focus today, reviewing several topics for meditation on the Annunciation. Putting the mental meditation archive we’ve been building into practice, Fr. Mark-Mary leads us through prayer prompts and a decade of the rosary. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Annunciation and we will be praying one decade of the Rosary. For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpr...

What’s the difference between a commitment and a devotion? How can we grow in love for the rosary? In this special bonus episode, Fr. Mark-Mary is joined by Sr. Miriam James Heidland SOLT, to discuss prayer quality over quantity, overcoming discouragement in prayer, and the beauty of Mary and her motherhood. For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy .

In our final visio divina episode, we meditate on a fresco entitled Mary, Help of Christians , by Giuseppe Rollini. Mary is surrounded by rows and rows of saints, from all backgrounds and professions, and yet there is still more space in Jesus’ house. With Fr. Mark-Mary, we bring the gift of our prayer and present it to Mary, our Queen. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Coronation of Mary and we...