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

In the Resurrection we are given an opportunity to see the glorified reality that is our destiny and our hope. Fr. Mark-Mary pulls from Pope Benedict XVI’s writings to explain glorified reality and what is spiritually occurring in the mystery of the Resurrection. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Resurrection, and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be. For the com...

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 H...

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 prayin...

In the mystery of the Crowing with Thorns, we see both the effects of sin on the world, but also the truth that Jesus is conquering death. Fr. Mark-Mary continues drawing connections between the prophecy of the Suffering Servant from Isaiah and the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Crowning with Thorns, and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, a...

Fr. Mark-Mary explains the historical context behind the mystery of the Scourging at the Pillar, and reveals how this mystery fulfills prophecies within the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Scourging at the Pillar, 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 .

Through obedience to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemene, in the mystery of the Agony in the Garden, Jesus will repair the damage caused by Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Fr. Mark-Mary explores the significance of the Agony in the Garden through the book of Hebrews and the Catechism. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Agony in the Garden and we will be praying one Our Fathe...

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, a...

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. For the complete prayer plan, visit https:/...

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. For...

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...

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. For the compl...

Why does Jesus leave Mary and Joseph to remain in the temple in Jerusalem? Fr. Mark-Mary unpacks the spiritual significance of the Finding in the Temple, teaching us about filial obedience and how we can understand our own journeys through this mystery of the Rosary. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Finding of Jesus in the Temple and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one...

The Mystery of Jesus’ Presentation signifies an important moment of fulfillment between the Old and New Covenant. Fr. Mark-Mary leads us through this mystery, pointing out parallels between Simeon’s words to Mary and Old Testament prophecies in Isaiah, giving us a meditation on entrusting our lives to God through the Rosary. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple a...

Sometimes it’s difficult to see how God can work through the hard situations in our lives. In the Mystery of the Nativity, the Holy Family was faced with an incredibly hard situation: traveling 90 miles to participate in a Roman census right before Jesus’ birth. However, Fr. Mark-Mary explains how God was working with these struggles to fulfill an Old Testament prophecy, reading from the book of M...

In the Old Testament, God met his people, dwelt with them, and brought them victory through the Arc of the Covenant. As we explore the Biblical roots of the Mysteries of the Rosary, Fr. Mark-Mary reveals how Mary is the new Arc of the Covenant, drawing parallels between the Visitation and the book of 2 Samuel. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Visitation and we will be praying one Our Father, th...

All of Jesus’ story was unexpected, as a very different Messiah than the people anticipated. Fr. Mark-Mary walks us through the historical and Biblical context of the mystery of the Annunciation, revealing how this mystery of the Rosary is something new, different, and deeper than we might expect. Today’s focus is the mystery of the Annunciation and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Ma...

Do you fully believe in the forgiveness of sins professed in the Creed? Fr. Mark-Mary tells us that so often we receive forgiveness but continue to carry the internal burden of sin. Drawing from the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, Fr. Mark-Mary encourages us to recall that we have been freed from sin. In praying the Rosary, we can set down our burdens as the Father accepts us into his home...

Fr. Mark-Mary shares his personal testimony on the Holy Spirit’s influence in his life and encourages us to look for the Holy Spirit’s presence in our own lives. He explains how meditating on the words of the Creed and the mysteries of the Rosary can lead us to greater understanding and faith as the Holy Spirit works through us. Today’s focus is “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Chu...

Jesus has already prepared a room for us in the Father’s house. Fr. Mark-Mary reveals that not only will we be able to join Jesus in heaven someday, but each time we pray the Rosary, we have a moment with Jesus in our eternal home. Already we draw close to heaven, and heaven draws close to us while we meditate on the Creed. Today’s focus is “On the third day, he rose again from the dead. He ascend...

The Holy Spirit chooses to do his greatest works and reveal his glory in still and quiet moments. While reflecting on the Apostles’ Creed, Fr. Mark-Mary uncovers the Incarnation as one of these silent movements of the Spirit: a pivotal event in salvation history that unfolded in the humble, quiet town of Nazareth. As we meditate on the prayers of the Rosary, this episode draws our attention to the...

By the grace of Jesus Christ, there is no longer total darkness. Fr. Mark-Mary explains how we can maintain hope while meditating on the crucifixion, a necessary prelude for the Sorrowful Mysteries. Drawing from the Catechism and the Good Friday liturgy, we continue our meditation on the Creed and Jesus’ incredible love for us. Today’s focus is “He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, die...

Were you there when he laid the foundation of the Earth? Fr. Mark-Mary brings us this pertinent question from the book of Job as we reflect on the Apostles Creed that we pray every Rosary. He explains that this question, far from being accusatory, is a promise of care from the Lord, a promise that we can trust in God to be God. Today’s focus is “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of he...

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...

When we call upon Mary, what does she say to us? As we pray the Rosary and ask Mary to show Jesus unto us, we hear her response through the story of the Wedding Feast at Cana in the Gospel of John. If you feel like you’re at the wedding and out of wine, Fr. Mark-Mary says, turn to Mary in the Rosary, and she will advocate for you to Jesus. Today’s focus is “Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine...

You are enough for God. Fr. Mark-Mary contemplates Mary’s Magnificat, reminding us that Mary and Jesus look upon us with eyes of mercy, rejoicing in our offerings of love to them, no matter how small we think they are. As we slowly build up our Rosary, prayer by prayer, these sincere acts of love are pleasing offerings to God. Today’s focus is “Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of merc...