Summary4 min read

Episode Summary:

Podcast: The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)
Host: Ascension
Episode: Day 230 — The Nativity and the Presentation
Date: August 18, 2025

Overview

This episode of "The Rosary in a Year" centers on deepening prayer and meditation through the third and fourth Joyful Mysteries: the Nativity of Jesus and the Presentation in the Temple. Fr. Mark-Mary Ames gently guides listeners into reflection, inviting them to dwell on God’s love made manifest in these mysteries and their impact on our spiritual journey.

Key Discussion Points

1. Introducing the Joyful Mysteries (00:04–01:19)

Fr. Mark-Mary welcomes listeners, emphasizing the purpose of the Rosary: to deepen our relationship with Jesus and Mary and become vessels of grace.
Focus for the day: Meditating on the third (Nativity) and fourth (Presentation) Joyful Mysteries.
Importance of actively contemplating the events of salvation history during prayer.

Quote:

"Today we'll be really practicing, focusing on the Mysteries themselves and these events in salvation history and the life of our Lord."
— Fr. Mark-Mary (01:07)

2. Meditation on the Nativity (01:23–02:17)

Focuses on Mary and Joseph’s humility and the birth of Jesus, the King and Messiah, in Bethlehem.
The scene's warmth, tenderness, and love highlighted.
Invites contemplation of the shepherds’ and Magi’s visits as responses to this pivotal event.

Quote:

"Call to mind Mary and Joseph and the newborn babe of Bethlehem, the King and the Messiah wrapped in swaddling cloth, and the visits they received from the Magi and the shepherds."
— Meditation Guide (01:27)

3. Meditation on the Presentation (02:17–02:37)

Joseph and Mary’s faithfulness to the Law in presenting Jesus at the temple.
Simeon’s joyful proclamation upon seeing Jesus and the prophecy of sorrow for Mary.
Anna, the prophetess, presented as a model of persevering prayer.

Quote:

"We see Joseph and Mary fulfilling the law, being faithful, presenting Jesus in the temple, Simeon's joyful response...and then its difficult prophecy that for Mary a sword would pierce her own heart, her own soul."
— Meditation Guide (01:46-02:22)

4. Rosary Prayers: The Third and Fourth Joyful Mysteries (02:44–10:43)

The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity (02:44–06:39)

The mystery is announced and the prayers begin.
Listeners are led through a full decade: Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be, and the Fatima prayer.
The repetitive, peaceful prayer structure invites meditation on Christ's birth and the humility of the Holy Family.

The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation (06:44–10:34)

The Presentation is introduced and honored through similar prayers.
The sorrow and joy of the occasion highlighted, calling attention to both Simeon's prophecy and Anna’s prayerful expectation.

5. Closing and Blessing (10:38–10:53)

Final blessing in the name of the Trinity.
Fr. Mark-Mary thanks listeners, expressing hope for their ongoing journey in prayer.
Ends with the phrase, "Poco a poco, friends. God bless y’all," encapsulating his warm, encouraging tone.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

"The love, the warmth, the tenderness of the Nativity of our Lord."
— Meditation Guide (01:46)
"Simeon's joyful response...and then this difficult prophecy that for Mary a sword would pierce her own heart, her own soul."
— Meditation Guide (01:59–02:19)
"We see again this example of the prophetess Anna, a model of prayer who is in the temple praying day and night, awaiting the Savior, and that her prayer and her waiting was not in vain."
— Meditation Guide (02:22–02:37)
"All right. Thanks so much for joining me and praying with me again today. I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow."
— Fr. Mark-Mary (10:44–10:48)
"Poco a poco, friends. God bless y'all."
— Prayer Leader (10:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:04–01:19: Fr. Mark-Mary’s introduction and overview
01:23–02:37: Meditations on the Nativity and Presentation mysteries
02:44–06:39: Praying the third Joyful Mystery (Nativity)
06:44–10:34: Praying the fourth Joyful Mystery (Presentation)
10:38–10:53: Blessing, farewell, and encouragement

Tone and Language

Fr. Mark-Mary’s manner is gentle, patient, and encouraging, guiding listeners with a spirit of warmth and pastoral care. The language remains rooted in prayer and reverence, keeping the focus on meditative encounter with the events of Jesus’ and Mary’s lives through the rhythm of the Rosary.

For Listeners New and Old

This episode acts as both a guide and a companion through meditative prayer, offering a peaceful, steady structure for entering more deeply into the lives of Jesus and Mary. Each mystery is illuminated not just in recitation, but also through brief points of meditation, inviting the listener into a living encounter with the Gospel.

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Transcript191 lines

[00:00]
Intro/Outro Announcer
Foreign.
[00:05]
Fr. Mark Mary
Mark Mary with Franciscan Friars, the Renewal and this is the Rosary in Year podcast, where through prayer and meditation, the Rosary brings us deeper into relationship with Jesus and Mary and becomes a source of grace for the whole world. The Rosary in a Year is brought to you by Ascension. This is day230. To download the prayer plan for Rosary in a year, visit ascensionpress.com rosary in a year or text RIY to 33777. You'll get an outline of how we're going to pray each month and it's a great way to track your progress. The best place to listen to the Podcast in the Ascension app. There are special features built just for this podcast and also recordings of the full rosary with myself and other friars. On behalf of myself and the whole team here at Ascension, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who's helped support this podcast financially. Your generosity is so appreciated and helps us to reach as many people as possible. And if you haven't already, please consider supporting us@ascensionpress.com support.
[01:02]
Prayer Leader
Today we will be praying the third and the fourth joyful.
[01:08]
Fr. Mark Mary
Mysteries, the Nativity and the Presentation. So today we'll be really practicing, focusing on the Mysteries themselves and these events.
[01:20]
Prayer Leader
In salvation history and the life of our Lord.
[01:24]
Meditation Guide
As we meditate upon the Nativity.
[01:28]
Prayer Leader
We.
[01:28]
Meditation Guide
Call to mind Mary and Joseph.
[01:32]
Intro/Outro Announcer
And.
[01:33]
Meditation Guide
The newborn babe of Bethlehem, the King and the Messiah wrapped in swaddling cloth, and the visits they received from the Magi and the shepherds.
[01:46]
Prayer Responder
The love, the.
[01:47]
Meditation Guide
Warmth, the tenderness of the Nativity of our Lord. As we pray with the presentation, we see Joseph and Mary fulfilling the law, being faithful, presenting Jesus in the temple, Simeon's joyful response that he has seen the Savior and he can go in peace. And then it's difficult prophecy that for.
[02:17]
Hail Mary Leader
Mary a sword would pierce her own.
[02:19]
Prayer Reader
Heart, her own soul.
[02:22]
Meditation Guide
And we see again this example of the prophetess Anna, a model of prayer who is in the temple praying day and night awaiting the Savior, and that her prayer and her waiting was not in vain.
[02:38]
Fr. Mark Mary
Let us begin in the name of.
[02:39]
Prayer Reader
The Father and of the Son and.
[02:41]
Hail Mary Leader
Of the Holy Spirit.
[02:42]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[02:44]
Prayer Leader
The third joyful mystery is the Nativity.
[02:48]
Prayer Reader
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.
[02:55]
Prayer Leader
On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, and as we forgive those who trespass against us.
[03:05]
Fr. Mark Mary
And lead us not into temptation, but.
[03:08]
Prayer Leader
Deliver us from evil.
[03:09]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[03:11]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[03:13]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[03:16]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[03:19]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[03:21]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[03:24]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[03:28]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[03:31]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[03:32]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[03:35]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[03:38]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[03:40]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[03:44]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[03:47]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[03:49]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[03:51]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[03:54]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[03:56]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[03:59]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[04:02]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[04:05]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[04:08]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[04:10]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[04:12]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[04:15]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[04:18]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[04:21]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[04:25]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[04:28]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[04:30]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[04:32]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[04:35]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[04:38]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[04:41]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[04:45]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[04:47]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[04:48]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[04:51]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[04:54]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[04:56]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[05:00]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[05:03]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[05:05]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[05:07]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[05:10]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[05:13]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[05:16]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[05:19]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[05:23]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[05:25]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[05:26]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[05:29]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[05:32]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[05:35]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[05:38]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[05:42]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[05:44]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[05:46]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[05:49]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[05:52]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[05:54]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[05:58]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[06:01]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[06:03]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
[06:07]
Prayer Reader
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed.
[06:10]
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[06:13]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[06:16]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[06:20]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[06:21]
Prayer Reader
Glory be to the Father, and to.
[06:23]
Prayer Leader
The Son and to the Holy Spirit.
[06:26]
Prayer Reader
As it was in the beginning, is.
[06:28]
Now and ever shall be, world without end.
[06:32]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[06:33]
Prayer Reader
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell.
[06:38]
Prayer Leader
And lead all souls to heaven, especially.
[06:40]
Prayer Responder
Those in most need of thy mercy.
[06:44]
Prayer Reader
The fourth joyful mystery is the presentation.
[06:49]
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.
[06:55]
Prayer Leader
On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
[07:06]
Fr. Mark Mary
And lead us not into temptation, but.
[07:09]
Prayer Leader
Deliver us from evil.
[07:10]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[07:12]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
[07:16]
Prayer Reader
Blessed art thou among women and blessed.
[07:19]
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[07:22]
Holy Mary, mother of God, Holy pray.
[07:26]
Prayer Responder
For us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[07:29]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[07:31]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord.
[07:34]
Prayer Leader
Is with the blessed art thou among.
[07:37]
Prayer Reader
Women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[07:42]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[07:45]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[07:48]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[07:50]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[07:52]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[07:55]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women and blessed is the.
[07:57]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[08:00]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[08:03]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[08:07]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[08:08]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[08:10]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[08:13]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[08:16]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[08:18]
Holy Mary, mother of God, Holy pray.
[08:21]
Prayer Responder
For us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[08:25]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[08:27]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[08:29]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[08:31]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[08:34]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[08:37]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[08:41]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[08:44]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[08:45]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord.
[08:48]
Prayer Leader
Is with the hol.
[08:50]
Prayer Reader
Blessed art thou among women and blessed.
[08:52]
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[08:55]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[08:58]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[09:02]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[09:03]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
[09:07]
Prayer Reader
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed.
[09:09]
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[09:13]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[09:16]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[09:19]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[09:21]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[09:23]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[09:26]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[09:29]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[09:32]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[09:35]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[09:38]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[09:40]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[09:42]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[09:45]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[09:47]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[09:50]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[09:53]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[09:56]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[09:58]
Hail Mary Leader
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[10:00]
Prayer Leader
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[10:02]
Prayer Reader
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[10:05]
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[10:08]
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[10:11]
Prayer Responder
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[10:14]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[10:16]
Prayer Reader
Glory be to the Father and to.
[10:18]
Hail Mary Leader
The Son and to the Holy Spirit.
[10:20]
Prayer Reader
As it was in the beginning is.
[10:22]
Now and ever shall be, world without end.
[10:25]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[10:27]
Prayer Responder
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins.
[10:30]
Prayer Reader
Save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially.
[10:35]
Prayer Responder
Those in most need of thy mercy.
[10:39]
Prayer Reader
In the name of the Father, and.
[10:40]
Prayer Responder
Of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[10:43]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[10:44]
Prayer Reader
All right. Thanks so much for joining me and praying with me again today.
[10:47]
I look forward to continuing this journey.
[10:49]
Fr. Mark Mary
With you again tomorrow.
[10:50]
Prayer Leader
Poco poko, friends. God bless y'.
[10:53]
Intro/Outro Announcer
All.