Day 242: The Wedding Feast at Cana and Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion - The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)

Summary4 min read

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

Episode: Day 242 - The Wedding Feast at Cana and Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion
Date: August 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, leads listeners in meditating on the Second and Third Luminous Mysteries: the Wedding at Cana and the Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion. The episode not only guides participants through the Rosary prayers but also addresses the common experience of boredom in prayer and offers practical advice for deepening one’s engagement with the mysteries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Addressing Boredom and Dryness in Prayer

Fr. Mark-Mary opens with real talk about feeling dryness or boredom during prayer, particularly when reciting the Rosary.
- “While people are praying and doing, we call, like, mental prayer... there might be an experience of boredom.” (01:10)
He reassures listeners that boredom is a natural part of prayer and, by extension, love itself—it doesn’t always feel “sugary and sweet.”
- “That's okay, you know, everything doesn't have to be, like, sugary and sweet and fun... part of love in general is going to be persevering in what we could call like a dryness or a type of dryness. That is boredom. And so we still stay... just remaining with the Lord...” (01:10–02:07)

2. Perseverance and Deepening Prayer Practices

The friar encourages perseverance: staying present and receptive even when prayer feels dry is an act of faith, hope, and charity.
- “If you're experiencing some, what we call like, a boredom or an overarching dryness in prayer, I do think part of the response is accepting this is probably going to be part of the reality and part of the journey.” (02:07)
He suggests approaching prayer from a new direction:
- Focusing on the person to whom you pray (Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Mary).
- Revisiting meditations, sacred art, Church Fathers, or Bible study to find new spiritual inspiration.
- “If we are experiencing... a drying up... a response is to just do some more exploring and try to come to prayer and come to these mysteries from some different approaches, pulling from some new and sweet founts of grace and prayer.” (02:20–03:10)

3. Guidance into Rosary Meditation

Fr. Mark-Mary transitions listeners into the meditation with a call to reflection and the invocation of the Holy Spirit.
- “So we’ll take a moment and call to mind our point of reflection. Invoke the Holy Spirit and begin. In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (03:10–03:20)
The episode then moves into communal prayer, focusing on:
- The second luminous mystery: The Wedding at Cana (03:21–07:29)
- The third luminous mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion (07:29–11:28)

4. Scriptural and Communal Aspects

The mysteries are framed with scriptural references, inviting listeners to contemplate the significance of Christ's miracles and his call to conversion through both rote and mental prayer.
The structure of the episode follows the traditional pattern: “Our Father,” ten “Hail Marys,” “Glory Be,” and “O My Jesus” prayers for each mystery.

5. Encouragement and Community

Fr. Mark-Mary closes with words of gratitude and encouragement, reinforcing the value of perseverance and the communal journey of prayer:
- “Thanks so much for joining me and praying with me today. I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow. Poco a poco [little by little], friends. God bless you.” (11:30–end)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Accepting Boredom in Prayer:
- “Part of prayer and part of love in general is going to be persevering in what we could call like a dryness or a type of dryness. That is boredom.” – Fr. Mark-Mary, (01:10)
On Trying New Approaches:
- “This could be an invitation to try to come to the mysteries and the type of prayer from like a different direction… try for a season really praying again, particularly the Rosary, with a focus on the person to whom I'm speaking…” – Fr. Mark-Mary, (02:20)
On Remaining Faithful:
- “We still make the offering of our time. We still are there, like, receptive and open, making this act of faith and hope and charity of just remaining with the Lord...” – Fr. Mark-Mary, (01:44)
Closing Encouragement:
- “Poco a poco, friends. God bless you.” – Fr. Mark-Mary, (11:34)

Timestamps for Important Segments

Boredom & Perseverance in Prayer: 01:10–03:10
Call to Reflection & Beginning Prayer: 03:10–03:20
The Wedding Feast at Cana (Second Luminous Mystery): 03:21–07:29
Proclamation of the Kingdom (Third Luminous Mystery): 07:29–11:28
Closing Thoughts & Encouragement: 11:30–end

Tone and Style

The episode is gentle, honest, and encouraging—a blend of practical spiritual advice and meditative prayer leadership. Fr. Mark-Mary’s language is humble and relatable, fostering a welcoming atmosphere for listeners at every stage of spiritual life.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode blends practical spiritual wisdom about perseverance in prayer—especially through dryness or boredom—with traditional Rosary practice, focusing on the Wedding at Cana and Jesus’s call to conversion. Fr. Mark-Mary encourages listeners to remain committed, explore new sources of inspiration, and trust that even dry times are valuable offerings to God. The episode concludes with gratitude, a reminder of the communal journey, and a simple encouragement: continue little by little, together.

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Transcript191 lines

[00:00]
Host/Leader
Foreign.
[00:05]
Mark Mary (Franciscan Friar)
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.
[00:20]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
This is day 242.
[00:22]
Mark Mary (Franciscan Friar)
To download the prayer plan for Rosary in a year, visit ascensionpress.com rosary in a year or text RIY to 33777.
[00:31]
Friar/Spiritual Guide
You'll get an outline of how we're.
[00:32]
Mark Mary (Franciscan Friar)
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]
Friar/Spiritual Guide
Today we'll be praying with the second and the third luminous.
[01:05]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Mysteries, the Wedding at Cana, and the Proclamation of the Kingdom.
[01:11]
Friar/Spiritual Guide
So while people are praying and doing, we call, like, mental prayer, like prayer in which you're thinking, contemplating for an extended period of time or something like the Rosary, there might be an experience of boredom. And so the question is like, so what do I do with this boredom? Kind of my most honest, immediate response is, that's okay, you know, everything doesn't have to be, like, sugary and sweet and fun. And so part of prayer and part of love in general is going to be persevering and persevering in what we could call like a dryness or a type of dryness. That is boredom. And so we still stay. We still make the offering of our time. We still are there, like, receptive and open, making this act of faith and hope and charity of just remaining with the Lord not just because, like, it.
[02:01]
Prayer Participant 1
Feels good, but because the Lord is.
[02:03]
Prayer Participant 2
Worthy of our prayer and our offering.
[02:08]
Friar/Spiritual Guide
So if you're experiencing some, what we call like, a boredom or an overarching, like, dryness in prayer, I do think part of the response is accepting. This is probably going to be part.
[02:18]
Prayer Participant 2
Of the reality and part of the journey.
[02:20]
Friar/Spiritual Guide
But also this could be an invitation to try to come to the mysteries and the type of prayer from, like, a different direction. And so this could be okay, Like, I'm going to try for a season, really praying again, particularly the Rosary with a focus on the person to whom I'm speaking, as we've practiced with Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, Our lady, we can review some of the meditations, look at some art again, read some church fathers, do a little Bible study. I think if we are experiencing like a bit of like a drying up of some of the sweetness of the prayer that we've been making to this point, again, I think a response is to just kind of do some more exploring and trying to come to prayer and come to these mysteries from some different approaches, pulling from some new and sweet founts of grace and prayer.
[03:10]
Prayer Participant 3
So we'll take a moment and call.
[03:11]
Friar/Spiritual Guide
To mind our point of reflection.
[03:15]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Invoke the Holy Spirit and begin.
[03:17]
Prayer Participant 2
In the name of the Father and.
[03:18]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[03:21]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[03:22]
Friar/Spiritual Guide
The second luminous mystery is the wedding at Cana.
[03:27]
Prayer Participant 2
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
[03:31]
Friar/Spiritual Guide
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.
[03:34]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
On earth as it is in heaven.
[03:37]
Prayer Participant 1
Give us this day our daily bread.
[03:39]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
And forgive us our trespasses as we.
[03:42]
Friar/Spiritual Guide
Forgive those who trespass against us.
[03:45]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[03:49]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[03:51]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord.
[03:54]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Is with the Blessed art thou among.
[03:57]
Prayer Participant 5
Women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[04:02]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[04:05]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[04:08]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[04:11]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[04:13]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[04:15]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[04:18]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[04:21]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[04:25]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[04:28]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[04:31]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord.
[04:33]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Is with the Blessed art thou among.
[04:36]
Friar/Spiritual Guide
Women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[04:41]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[04:44]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[04:48]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[04:50]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[04:52]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[04:55]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[04:58]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[05:00]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[05:04]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[05:07]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[05:09]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[05:11]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[05:14]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[05:17]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[05:20]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[05:23]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[05:27]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[05:29]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord.
[05:31]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Is with the Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[05:40]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[05:43]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[05:47]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[05:49]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord.
[05:51]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Is with the Blessed art thou among.
[05:54]
Prayer Participant 5
Women, and blessed Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[05:59]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[06:03]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[06:06]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[06:09]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[06:11]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[06:14]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[06:17]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[06:20]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[06:23]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[06:27]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[06:28]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[06:31]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[06:34]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[06:36]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[06:39]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[06:42]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[06:46]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[06:48]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[06:50]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the blessed art.
[06:53]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[06:56]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[06:58]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[07:01]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[07:05]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[07:07]
Prayer Participant 2
Glory be to the Father and to.
[07:08]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
The Son and to the Holy Spirit.
[07:11]
Prayer Participant 3
As it was in the beginning, is.
[07:13]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Now and ever shall be world without end.
[07:17]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[07:19]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell.
[07:24]
Prayer Participant 3
And lead all souls to heaven, especially.
[07:26]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Those in most need of thy mercy.
[07:30]
Friar/Spiritual Guide
The third luminous mystery is the proclamation of the kingdom. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
[07:38]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
[07:44]
Prayer Participant 1
Give us this day our daily bread.
[07:46]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
And forgive us our trespasses as we.
[07:49]
Prayer Participant 1
Forgive those who trespass against us.
[07:51]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[07:56]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[07:58]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
[08:01]
Prayer Participant 3
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed.
[08:04]
Prayer Participant 5
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[08:07]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[08:10]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[08:14]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[08:16]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[08:18]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[08:21]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[08:23]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[08:26]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, holy pray.
[08:29]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
For us sinners now and at the.
[08:32]
Prayer Participant 1
Hour of our death.
[08:33]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[08:34]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[08:36]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[08:39]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[08:41]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[08:44]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[08:47]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[08:50]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[08:53]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[08:54]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[08:57]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[09:00]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[09:03]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[09:06]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[09:09]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[09:11]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[09:13]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[09:15]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[09:18]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[09:20]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[09:24]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[09:27]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[09:29]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[09:31]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[09:33]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women and blessed is the.
[09:36]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[09:39]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[09:42]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[09:45]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[09:48]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[09:50]
Prayer Participant 1
Holy the Lord is with thee.
[09:52]
Prayer Participant 3
Blessed art thou among women and blessed.
[09:55]
Prayer Participant 5
Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[09:58]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[10:02]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[10:05]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[10:07]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[10:09]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[10:11]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[10:14]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[10:17]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[10:20]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[10:23]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[10:25]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[10:27]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[10:30]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[10:33]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[10:35]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[10:39]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[10:42]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[10:44]
Prayer Participant 4
Hail Mary, full of grace.
[10:46]
Prayer Participant 1
The Lord is with the Blessed art.
[10:49]
Prayer Participant 3
Thou among women, and blessed is the.
[10:51]
Prayer Participant 5
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
[10:53]
Prayer Participant 2
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.
[10:56]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
[11:00]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[11:01]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
[11:05]
Prayer Participant 3
As it was in the beginning, is.
[11:08]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Now and ever shall be, world without end.
[11:12]
Host/Leader
Amen.
[11:13]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins.
[11:16]
Prayer Participant 3
Save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially.
[11:21]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Those in most need of thy mercy.
[11:25]
Prayer Participant 2
In the name of the Father and.
[11:26]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
Of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[11:29]
Host/Leader
Amen. All right.
[11:31]
Friar/Spiritual Guide
Thanks so much for joining me and praying with me today. I look forward to continuing this journey.
[11:35]
Narrator/Prayer Leader
With you again tomorrow. Poco poker Friends. God bless you.