Podcast Title: The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)
Episode: Day 210: Relationship With the Son
Release Date: July 29, 2025
Host: Ascension
Introduction
In Day 210: Relationship With the Son of The Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames invites listeners to deepen their spiritual journey by fostering a more intimate relationship with Jesus through the Rosary. This episode emphasizes the importance of relational prayer and offers practical insights on how to cultivate a meaningful connection with the Son of God.
Building a Relationship with Jesus
Fr. Mark-Mary begins by outlining the day's focus: praying two joyful decades of the Rosary—the Nativity and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. He emphasizes that these prayers are not merely rote recitations but opportunities to engage deeply with Jesus, enhancing one's spiritual life regardless of their starting point.
[00:57] Fr. Mark-Mary Ames: "Today we are going to be praying two decades. Today we'll be praying the third and fourth joyful Mysteries, the Nativity and the presentation of our Lord in the temple. And we're going to be focusing on praying these two decades while in relationship with the Son, while in relationship with Jesus."
Practicing Relational Prayer
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to teaching listeners how to practice relational prayer. Fr. Mark-Mary provides practical steps to make prayer more personal and engaging:
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Be Specific in Your Visualization:
- Details Matter: "Think of some details, for example, like how old is Jesus?"
- Setting the Scene: "What's the setting? Are you sitting? Are you standing? Is it day or night?" [01:57-02:28]
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Engage Your Senses:
- Visualizing Jesus: "Look at the eyes of Jesus. Do his eyes say anything? Are they compassionate? Are they grateful? Are they loving?" [02:33-03:01]
- Emotional Connection: "Are you moved to adoration and praise, to blessing, to gratitude?" [03:35-03:46]
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Attune to Your Heart:
- Inner Movements: "Are you invited to share in the safety of his presence? Something of your heart? A hurt? A pain? Contrition? Need?" [03:46-04:02]
These techniques are designed to transform the act of praying the Rosary from a routine into a dynamic conversation with Jesus, fostering a deeper emotional and spiritual connection.
[03:35] Fr. Mark-Mary Ames: "Are you moved to adoration and praise, to blessing, to gratitude? Or are you invited to share in the safety of his presence? Something of your heart?"
Prayer Structure
The episode then guides listeners through the structured prayer of the Rosary, focusing on the two chosen joyful mysteries. Fr. Mark-Mary models the proper recitation of the prayers, ensuring listeners can follow along effectively.
- The Our Father: Affirming God's holiness and seeking His kingdom and will.
- Hail Mary: Reflecting on Mary's role and praying for intercession.
- Glory Be: Praising the Holy Trinity.
- O My Jesus: Seeking forgiveness and salvation.
Each prayer is recited with appropriate pauses and emphasis, allowing listeners to meditate on each phrase.
Meditative Reflection
Between the prayers, Fr. Mark-Mary encourages listeners to meditate on the mysteries being contemplated. He reiterates the importance of focusing on Jesus' presence and the significance of each event in His life.
[09:05] Fr. Mark-Mary Ames: "The fourth joyful mystery is the presentation of Jesus in the temple. Okay, as we go into our second mystery, we'll just refocus on Jesus—on his heart, on his eyes, on his attentiveness."
Conclusion and Encouragement
As the episode concludes, Fr. Mark-Mary expresses gratitude to the listeners for joining in the prayer. He reinforces the value of persistence in this spiritual practice and looks forward to continuing the journey together.
[14:01] Fr. Mark-Mary Ames: "Thank you so much for joining me and praying with me today. I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow."
He concludes with a blessing, encouraging listeners to remain steadfast in their prayerful relationship with Jesus.
[14:08] Fr. Mark-Mary Ames: "God bless y'. All."
Key Takeaways
- Relational Prayer: Moving beyond rote prayer to a heartfelt conversation with Jesus enhances spiritual growth.
- Visualization: Engaging the senses and being specific in prayers deepens the connection with the divine.
- Consistency: Building a daily habit of prayer transforms it into a lasting and fruitful practice.
- Meditation on Mysteries: Reflecting on specific events in Jesus' life fosters a stronger understanding and appreciation of His mission and love.
Additional Resources
Listeners are encouraged to download the prayer plan for Rosary in a Year by visiting Ascension Press or texting RIY to 33777. For enhanced engagement, the Ascension app offers special features and full Rosary recordings with Fr. Mark-Mary and other friars. Additionally, the Rosary in the Year Prayer Guide complements the podcast with daily Scripture readings, saint reflections, and sacred art imagery.
This episode serves as a profound guide for those seeking to deepen their spiritual lives through the Rosary, offering practical steps and heartfelt encouragement to build a lasting relationship with Jesus and Mary.