Day 241: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple and Baptism of Jesus - The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)

Summary3 min read

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

Episode: Day 241 — The Finding of Jesus in the Temple and Baptism of Jesus
Date: August 29, 2025
Host: Ascension; Led by Fr. Mike Schmitz (for this episode)

Overview

This episode of "The Rosary in a Year" podcast guides listeners through prayerful meditation on the Fifth Joyful Mystery (The Finding of Jesus in the Temple) and the First Luminous Mystery (The Baptism of Jesus). Fr. Mike Schmitz encourages forming deeper habits of meditative prayer by offering guidance on dealing with distractions, sharing wisdom from the saints, and leading listeners through the rosary prayers for these mysteries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Conscious Preparation for Prayer

Fr. Mike Schmitz opens with a focus on deeper meditation and the move towards more independent prayer for listeners as they progress through the year.
Addressing Distractions in Prayer:
- It is normal to face distractions during prayer.
- Fr. Mike references advice given in the previous day’s episode but expands by emphasizing the importance of daily habits outside prayer time.
Quote:
- "If we are living distracted lives, we're going to have distracted prayer." (Fr. Mike Schmitz, [01:34])
He shares wisdom from St. Charles Borromeo, who cautioned priests about the distractions they bring from the sacristy into Mass, suggesting that the quality of one’s daily life impacts spiritual focus.
Encouragement:
- Take inventory of the “noise” in your life.
- Seek more peace and quiet outside prayer to foster greater recollection and depth within prayer.

2. Guiding Listeners into the Mysteries

Fr. Mike sets the intention for contemplation, inviting listeners to call to mind fresh reflections on these familiar mysteries.

3. Praying the Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The rosary prayers (Our Father, Hail Marys, Glory Be, and Fatima Prayer) are recited together for this mystery.
Listeners are invited to unite in meditation upon the story of Mary and Joseph searching for Jesus and finding him teaching in the Temple, emphasizing trust and wonder when God’s plan is not fully understood.

4. Praying the First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of Jesus

Rosary prayers are again recited for this mystery.
The focus is on witnessing Christ’s humility and the revelation of the Holy Trinity at the moment of His baptism in the Jordan River.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Distraction and Daily Life:
- "There's some encouragement and some wisdom to trying to have a more recollected and focused time of prayer." (Fr. Mike Schmitz, [01:08])
- "If we are living distracted lives, we're going to have distracted prayer." (Fr. Mike Schmitz, [01:34])
- "Within the immediate time of prayer we don’t overreact, we don’t over dwell on the distraction, but... pay attention to how much noise I'm filling my life with." (Fr. Mike Schmitz, [01:48])
Invitation to Meditate:
- "The more peaceful, the more quiet we have outside of our times of prayer, most likely the more peaceful and quiet and focused we're going to have in our times of prayer." (Fr. Mike Schmitz, [02:13])
Closure:
- "Thanks so much for joining me and praying with me again today. I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow. Poco a Poco. Friends, God bless you all." (Fr. Mike Schmitz, [10:26])

Important Timestamps

00:57: Guidance on deepening personal meditation and handling distractions
01:34: St. Charles Borromeo's wisdom on distraction
02:18: Emphasis on bringing peace to daily life to improve prayer
02:34–06:13: Prayers for the Fifth Joyful Mystery (Finding of Jesus in the Temple)
06:13–10:07: Prayers for the First Luminous Mystery (Baptism of Jesus)
10:09–10:26: Closing words of encouragement and blessing

Tone and Style

Throughout the episode, Fr. Mike employs a gentle, pastoral, and encouraging tone, blending practical wisdom with spiritual warmth. He balances reverence for the sacred mysteries with personal encouragement, fostering both individual and communal growth in prayer.

Summary

This episode nurtures listeners’ prayer life by deepening their understanding of how the quality of daily life affects spiritual focus. The rosary’s recitation is not just about repetition, but about entering into deeper meditation on the mysteries of Christ’s life. Fr. Mike’s encouragement to seek quiet in one’s life, paired with traditional prayers and scriptural meditation, provides a holistic approach to developing spiritual discipline and intimacy with God.

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Transcript161 lines

[00:00]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Foreign Mark Mary with Franciscan Friars with.
[00:06]
Host/Intro Speaker
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.
[00:18]
Prayer Leader 1
This is day241.
[00:21]
Host/Intro Speaker
To download the prayer plan for Rosary in a year, visit ascensionpress.com rosary in a year or text RIY to 33 777. 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. No matter what app you're listening in, remember to tap, follow or subscribe for your daily notifications.
[00:47]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Today we'll be praying with the fifth Joyful Mystery and the first Luminous Mystery, the finding of Jesus in the Temple.
[00:53]
Prayer Leader 2
And the Baptism of Jesus at the.
[00:55]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Jordan in Phase five.
[00:58]
Host/Intro Speaker
As we're leaning more and more towards a more independent guiding of your own prayer, a couple of questions I'm sure.
[01:05]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Are gonna come up.
[01:06]
Host/Intro Speaker
And so I'm just gonna go ahead.
[01:07]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
And offer just a little bit of.
[01:08]
Host/Intro Speaker
Encouragement and guidance just about prayer in general, particularly more meditative prayer. So questions that could come up a lot is like, what do I do with distraction and prayer? And we gave one answer yesterday. But if you're really kind of trying to root it out, and I do think that there is some encouragement and some wisdom to trying to have a more recollected and focused time of prayer. It's really just there's one of my favorite quotes, it comes from St. Charles Borromeo and he's writing a letter to priests and it's about like, hey, you're.
[01:35]
Prayer Leader 3
Complaining about being distracted while you're at.
[01:37]
Host/Intro Speaker
Mass, but what were you just talking about in the sacristy? And the idea being that if we are living distracted lives, we're going to have distracted prayer. And so within the immediate time of.
[01:48]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Prayer we don't overreact, we don't over.
[01:50]
Host/Intro Speaker
Dwell on the distraction, but more kind of remotely, not just in the time of prayer, but in general, it's good to just pay attention to how much noise I'm filling my life with and seeing if there's some invitation from the Lord to take a step back from some of the noise and live a more peaceful and quiet life. And the more peaceful, the more quiet we have outside of our times. Of prayer, most likely the more peaceful.
[02:13]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
And quiet and focused we're going to.
[02:15]
Host/Intro Speaker
Have in our times of prayer.
[02:19]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
So we'll go ahead and take a moment just to call to mind our.
[02:22]
Host/Intro Speaker
Hopefully kind of new point of reflection.
[02:24]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Something we haven't prayed with yet in this phase. And then we'll begin. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[02:33]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[02:35]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
The fifth joyful mystery is the finding of Jesus in the temple.
[02:39]
Prayer Leader 3
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
[02:43]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done 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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[03:00]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[03:03]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
[03:06]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed.
[03:09]
Prayer Leader 2
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[03:12]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[03:15]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[03:18]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[03:20]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord.
[03:23]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Is with the blessed art thou among.
[03:25]
Prayer Leader 2
Women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[03:30]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[03:33]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[03:36]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[03:38]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[03:40]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the.
[03:45]
Prayer Leader 2
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[03:47]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[03:51]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[03:54]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[03:56]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord.
[03:58]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Is with the blessed art thou among.
[04:01]
Prayer Leader 2
Women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[04:06]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[04:09]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[04:12]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[04:14]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord.
[04:17]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Is with the blessed art thou among.
[04:19]
Prayer Leader 2
Women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[04:24]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[04:27]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[04:31]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[04:33]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[04:35]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
The Lord is with the blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the.
[04:40]
Prayer Leader 2
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[04:42]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[04:45]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[04:48]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[04:51]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[04:52]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the.
[04:58]
Prayer Leader 2
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[05:01]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[05:04]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[05:07]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[05:09]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
[05:13]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed.
[05:16]
Prayer Leader 2
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[05:19]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[05:22]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[05:25]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[05:27]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord.
[05:30]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Is with the Blessed art thou among.
[05:32]
Prayer Leader 2
Women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[05:37]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[05:40]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[05:43]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[05:45]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with thee.
[05:49]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Blessed art thou among women and blessed.
[05:52]
Prayer Leader 2
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[05:54]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray.
[05:57]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
For us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[06:01]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[06:03]
Prayer Leader 3
Glory be to the Father and to.
[06:04]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
The Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is.
[06:09]
Prayer Leader 3
Now and ever shall be, world without end.
[06:12]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[06:14]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. The first luminous mystery is the baptism of Jesus.
[06:29]
Prayer Leader 3
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
[06:33]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done 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. And lead us not into temptation, but. But deliver us from evil.
[06:51]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[06:52]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[06:55]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the.
[07:00]
Prayer Leader 2
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[07:03]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[07:06]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[07:09]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[07:11]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
[07:15]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed.
[07:18]
Prayer Leader 2
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[07:21]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[07:24]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[07:27]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[07:29]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[07:31]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the.
[07:36]
Prayer Leader 2
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[07:39]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, holy pray.
[07:42]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
For us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[07:46]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[07:47]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[07:49]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the.
[07:55]
Prayer Leader 2
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[07:57]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[08:00]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[08:04]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[08:06]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
[08:10]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed.
[08:13]
Prayer Leader 2
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[08:16]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[08:19]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[08:22]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[08:24]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[08:26]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the.
[08:31]
Prayer Leader 2
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[08:34]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, holy pray.
[08:37]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
For us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[08:40]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[08:42]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[08:44]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
The Lord is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the.
[08:49]
Prayer Leader 2
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[08:52]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[08:55]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[08:58]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[09:00]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
[09:04]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Blessed art thou among women and blessed.
[09:07]
Prayer Leader 2
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[09:11]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for.
[09:14]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[09:18]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[09:19]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with the.
[09:24]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed.
[09:27]
Prayer Leader 2
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[09:30]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for.
[09:33]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[09:37]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[09:39]
Prayer Leader 1
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[09:41]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
The Lord is with the. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed.
[09:46]
Prayer Leader 2
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[09:49]
Prayer Leader 3
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for.
[09:53]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[09:56]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[09:58]
Prayer Leader 3
Glory be to the Father, and to.
[10:00]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
The Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is.
[10:04]
Prayer Leader 3
Now and ever shall be, world without end.
[10:08]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[10:09]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[10:25]
Amen Responder
Amen.
[10:26]
Fr. Mike Schmitz
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. Poco Poko. Friends, God bless you all.