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

Episode: Day 18: Our Sweetness, Our Hope
Date: January 18, 2026
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, Ascension

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mark-Mary begins a multi-day reflection on the beloved Marian prayer, the "Hail, Holy Queen" (Salve Regina). He explores the deep meaning behind the invocation "Our Sweetness, Our Hope," focusing on how Mary’s presence in our lives brings a unique sweetness, likened to the gift of wine in the Eucharist. The theme centers on recognizing the abundance and joy that God desires for us, not just giving us the bare necessities but also filling our lives with grace and delight through Mary.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Introduction to the Hail, Holy Queen

• [00:55] Fr. Mark-Mary introduces the focus for the next few days: the words of the "Hail, Holy Queen."
• He explains the plan: to reflect deeply on the first lines, particularly “Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.”
• Sets up a connection between this Marian prayer and the mysteries of the Eucharist.

Scriptural Foundation: The Eucharist

• [01:01 - 01:49] Cites Matthew 26:26-28, highlighting Jesus instituting the Eucharist:
  • “Take, eat, this is My body... drink of it, all of you, for this is My blood of the covenant... for the forgiveness of sins.”
• Fr. Mark-Mary draws a parallel: although talking about Mary, he starts with the Eucharist to illustrate a deeper truth about God’s generosity.

The Symbolism of Bread and Wine

• Bread ([02:12])
  • "It's simple bread, it's plain bread... the very basic nourishment you need to make the journey to survive."
• Wine ([02:37])
  • “Wine is different... it's a little bit more than is needed, more than extra. And one characteristic of wine is that it’s sweet… a celebratory drink.”
• Emphasizes that wine symbolizes what is “not totally necessary, something extra”—the sweetness and joy God wants us to experience.

Spiritual Application: God’s Abundant Love

• [03:26 - 03:56]
  • God provides what we need (bread), but also gives us “wine”—the joyful, sweet things that make our spiritual journey richer.
  • “He gives us what we need for salvation... but also the Lord Jesus desires that there is a sweetness to our life.”

Notable Quote

“God doesn't just give us the very basics. He doesn't just give us what we absolutely need, the bare minimum, but in the abundance and the graciousness of his love, he desires it also to be sweet.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames ([04:10])

Mary as Our Sweetness

• [04:44 - 05:09]
  • Ties the wine metaphor directly to Mary:
    • “God didn't have to give us His mother to be our mother as well. But I believe he did this again for the same reason that he gives Himself to us in the form of wine.”
  • “He is giving us an experience of sweetness for the journey.”
  • Through the Rosary and growing closer to Mary, we encounter this unique, sustaining sweetness.

Notable Quote

“He is giving us an experience of sweetness for the journey... we may experience the sweetness that we acclaim and pray about in the Hail Holy Queen.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames ([05:17], [05:29])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:55] — Introducing the "Hail Holy Queen" and the journey ahead.
• [01:01 - 01:49] — Scripture: Institution of the Eucharist (Matthew 26:26-28).
• [02:12] — Meditating on bread as essential, plain, daily sustenance.
• [02:37] — Meditating on wine as sweet, abundant, and celebratory.
• [03:56] — God’s desire for us to experience sweetness every day.
• [04:44 - 05:09] — Mary’s role as “our Sweetness”; the unique gift of the Blessed Mother.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Wine’s Sweetness and Mary
  “In Jesus giving us the Blessed Mother, he is giving us something that will make our life particularly sweet in sort of an existential sense…” ([04:44])
• Why God Gives More Than We Need
  “For the same reason that he desires us to experience joy in his life. He desires us to experience in the Blessed Mother in her love, a sweetness.” ([04:46])
• Invitation to Experience Mary’s Sweetness through the Rosary
  “Hopefully, my brothers and sisters, in this ongoing praying of the Rosary and growing more and more in love and deeper in relationship with the Blessed Mother, we may experience the sweetness that we acclaim and pray about in the Hail Holy Queen.” ([05:28])

Prayer Segment

Begins at [05:35]

• Concludes the episode with communal prayer:
  • Our Father
  • Three Hail Marys
  • Glory Be

Tone and Final Thoughts

Fr. Mark-Mary speaks with warmth, gentle encouragement, and personal reflection, inviting listeners to meditate not only on the necessity of God’s grace, but its abundant sweetness—especially through Mary. The episode functions as both a teaching and a prayer, gently drawing the audience deeper into Marian devotion and the joy it unlocks in the spiritual life.

For more resources and the prayer plan, visit: ascensionpress.com/riy