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

Episode Summary: Day 268 – The Joyful Mysteries

Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Podcast: The Rosary in a Year (Ascension)

Overview & Main Theme

In this episode, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames leads listeners through the prayer and meditation of the Rosary's Joyful Mysteries, specifically focusing on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Joyful Mysteries. The episode is centered on collective prayer as a path to deepen the listener's relationship with Jesus and Mary, invoking the presence of grace into the world. The approach remains prayerful and meditative, designed to support listeners in developing a sustained habit of Marian devotion.

Key Discussion Points & Mysteries Covered

Opening & Intentions

• [00:04] Fr. Mark-Mary introduces the podcast’s core purpose:

  "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 episode will guide listeners through the remaining Joyful Mysteries:
  • The Nativity (3rd Joyful Mystery)
  • The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (4th Joyful Mystery)
  • The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (5th Joyful Mystery)

The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity

[01:10]

• Fr. Mark-Mary leads the group in the Lord’s Prayer, followed by a decade of Hail Marys.
• The prayers are recited rhythmically, emphasizing themes of gratitude for the birth of Jesus and reliance on the intercession of Mary.

Memorable Moment:

• The repeated invocation:

  "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death."
  (Various timestamps throughout 01:55–05:01)

• Conclusion of the decade:

  • Glory Be and Fatima Prayer.

    "Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen." [05:07]
    "O 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." [05:18]

The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple

[05:26]

• Fr. Mark-Mary shifts into the next mystery, continuing the meditative rhythm.
• The prayer cycle deepens the intention toward recognizing Jesus as the light to the nations, entrusted to the care and offering of Mary and Joseph.

Memorable Moment:

• Reflection on entrusting personal intentions through the repetition of:

  "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen." [05:49]

  • Continues with another full decade of Hail Marys, leading to the doxology and Fatima Prayer. [09:30–09:41]

The Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

[09:41]

• The spiritual focus turns to seeking Christ, mirrored in Mary and Joseph’s search for the child Jesus.
• Listeners are invited to contemplate their own moments of searching for meaning, faith, and connection with God.

Notable Quote:

• Fr. Mark-Mary, after the prayer cycle:

  "Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit... O 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." [13:53–14:05]

Closing Encouragement

Fr. Mark-Mary’s Final Thoughts

• [14:20] Fr. Mark-Mary expresses gratitude:

  "Thanks, everybody, for joining me and praying with me today. I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow. Poco a poco. Friends, God bless y’all." [14:20–14:28]

• Strength in community and building a prayer habit—“poco a poco” (little by little)—is highlighted as a key encouragement.

Notable Quotes

• On the Power of the Rosary:

  "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."
  — Fr. Mark-Mary [00:04]

• On Community:

  "Thanks, everybody, for joining me and praying with me today... I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow."
  — Fr. Mark-Mary [14:20]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:04] — Introduction to the episode and its spiritual purpose
• [01:10] — Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
• [05:26] — Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
• [09:41] — Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
• [13:53] — Final doxology and concluding prayers
• [14:20] — Fr. Mark-Mary’s thanks and encouragement for ongoing daily prayer

Tone & Language

The tone throughout is gentle, meditative, and inviting. Fr. Mark-Mary speaks with warmth, reverence, and a sense of community, using simple, direct language that mirrors the spirit of contemplative prayer. The repetition of the Hail Mary and Fatima prayers is intentionally calming and rhythmical, supporting deep spiritual focus for listeners.

Takeaway

This episode encourages listeners, whether new or seasoned in the Rosary, to form a daily habit of prayer. Through the communal recitation of the Joyful Mysteries, participants are drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus and Mary, grounded in tradition, contemplation, and the power of collective devotion. Each decade serves as a gentle invitation to place trust in God and remain steadfast—little by little—on the journey of faith.