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

Episode: Day 20: Eyes of Mercy
Date: January 20, 2026
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR (Ascension)

Overview:

This episode, “Eyes of Mercy,” centers on understanding Mary’s merciful gaze and its significance, especially as referenced in the prayer Hail Holy Queen. Fr. Mark-Mary draws on Scripture and personal reflection to encourage listeners to embrace their imperfections and offer their best—however humble—to God and to Mary with sincerity, freedom, and confidence rather than shame.

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

Reflecting on the “Eyes of Mercy”

• Fr. Mark-Mary opens with a reflection on the words, “Turn then, O most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us,” inviting listeners to meditate on Mary's gaze of mercy ([01:25]).

Scripture Foundations

• Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-48)
  • Fr. Mark-Mary reads and discusses Mary’s words:

    “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.”
    ([02:10])

  • Insight: Mary’s humility and joy in her “lowliness” is rooted in how God has regarded her, offering a model for how to view our own weakness.
• The Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41-44)
  • Jesus observes the widow giving two small coins and remarks she’s given more than the rich, for “she out of her poverty has put in everything she had”
    ([03:13])
  • Insight: The totality and sincerity of the offering matter more than its material value.

Mary’s Poverty and Humanity

• Fr. Mark-Mary imagines Jesus seeing in the widow’s gift a reflection of his own mother’s modest offerings, recalling Joseph and Mary’s offering of two doves (the gift of the poor) at the temple ([04:05]).
• He underscores that Mary, despite being “conceived without sin,” experienced poverty and embraced it freely and joyfully, not with shame ([05:00]).

The Heart of True Offering

• Our own acts of love—however small or imperfect—are valuable when offered sincerely.

  “If we’re not given much, but we’re giving everything we have, I think that’s a pleasing offering to Mary... to give this gift with joy and confidence and freedom.” ([06:40])

• Mary’s advocacy is to teach us to focus on sincerity and totality of love rather than perfection.

Personal Anecdote: Sincere Offerings

• Fr. Mark-Mary shares a childhood memory ([08:00]):
  • At age six, he gave his mother a simple, imperfectly written note (“I Mark love you Mom,” with a backwards R). His mother treasured it, showing that love, not perfection, is what matters ([09:20]).
  • This experience illustrates God and Mary’s delight in our sincere, humble self-giving.

Application to Prayer and Rosary

• Often, we may feel discouraged by distractions or imperfections during prayer, especially at the closing Hail Holy Queen ([11:20]).
• Fr. Mark-Mary encourages offering even our less-than-perfect prayers with confidence:

  “Like, my best isn’t good enough. But it’s my best, and it’s me trying to love God with all my strength... and that is a pleasing offering.” ([12:10])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mary’s Joyful Acceptance of Poverty:

  “She can experience her lowliness with joy and not shame because of how her lowliness has been received by God.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary ([05:20])

• On Sincerity Over Perfection:

  “If we really are trying, if we’re trying our best, can we give it to Mary and can we give it to Jesus? This is what I have to offer is a pleasing offering that deeply moves the heart of our Mother and deeply moves the heart of our God.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary ([12:25])

• Personal Story about Childhood Gift:

  “I didn’t even write my name right… But she didn’t focus on that, right? She saw the love with which it was given… Even now about 35 years later, pinned with pride of place in her little jewelry box is that piece of paper.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary ([09:20])

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• Introduction & Episode Theme – [00:00–01:25]
• Mary’s Magnificat & Reflection – [02:10–03:13]
• The Widow’s Offering & Jesus’ Response – [03:13–05:00]
• Mary’s Poorness and Humanity – [05:00–06:40]
• Teaching on Acts of Love & Application – [06:40–08:00]
• Personal Childhood Anecdote – [08:00–09:20]
• Connecting Story to Faith & Offering All to God – [09:20–12:10]
• Applying This to the Rosary and Prayer – [11:20–12:25]
• Short Closing Prayers – [13:15–End]

Tone and Takeaway

Fr. Mark-Mary’s tone is gentle, encouraging, and deeply pastoral. He speaks from personal experience and spiritual wisdom, providing listeners with reassurance that God and Mary value our sincere, humble efforts, not their perfection.

Final Takeaway:

Approach Jesus and Mary with the little you have, however imperfect; sincerity, total gift, and love are what move their hearts, not flawlessness. Offer your rosary, your prayers, and your life as you are—through the eyes of mercy, these are beautiful gifts.

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