Day 268: The Joyful Mysteries

Summary

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)

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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.

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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)

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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.

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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]

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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

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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.

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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.

Transcript

[Father Mark Mary]

Foreign.

Mark Mary with Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and this is the Rosary in a 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 the Year is brought to you by Ascension.

This is day 268.

To download the prayer plan for Rosary in a year, visit ascensionpress.comrosaryinayear 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 this podcast is 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.

Today we will be continuing and concluding the Joyful Mysteries, praying the Third, Fourth and Fifth Joyful Mysteries, the Nativity, the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, and the finding of Jesus in the Temple. We'll begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Father Mark Mary]

The third Joyful Mystery is the Nativity. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

[Friar 1]

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.

[Father Mark Mary]

On earth as it is in heaven.

[Friar 2]

Give us this day our daily bread.

[Father Mark Mary]

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

[Friar 4]

Blessed art thou among women, and blessed.

[Friar 5]

Is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord.

[Friar 2]

Is with the Blessed art thou among.

[Friar 4]

Women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord.

[Friar 2]

Is with the Blessed art thou among.

[Friar 4]

Women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the Blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord.

[Friar 2]

Is with the Blessed art thou among.

[Friar 4]

Women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Father Mark Mary]

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

[Friar 4]

As it was in the beginning, is.

[Father Mark Mary]

Now and ever shall be world without end.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 4]

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins.

[Father Mark Mary]

Save us from the fires of hell.

[Friar 4]

And lead all souls to heaven, especially.

[Father Mark Mary]

Those in most need of thy mercy. The fourth joyful mystery is the finding of Jesus in the temple. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

[Friar 1]

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.

[Father Mark Mary]

On earth as it is in heaven.

[Friar 2]

Give us this day our daily bread.

[Father Mark Mary]

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among Women and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Holy Mary, mother of God, pray.

[Father Mark Mary]

For us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Father Mark Mary]

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

[Friar 4]

As it was in the beginning, is.

[Father Mark Mary]

Now and ever shall be world without end.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Father Mark Mary]

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. The fifth joyful mystery is the finding of Jesus in the temple. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

[Friar 1]

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.

[Father Mark Mary]

On earth as it is in heaven.

[Friar 2]

Give us this day our daily bread.

[Father Mark Mary]

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the Blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the Blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the Hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord.

[Friar 2]

Is with the Blessed art thou among.

[Friar 4]

Women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the Blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray.

[Father Mark Mary]

For us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the Blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the Blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord.

[Friar 2]

Is with the Blessed art thou among.

[Friar 4]

Women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the Blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray.

[Father Mark Mary]

For us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace.

[Friar 2]

The Lord is with the Blessed art.

[Friar 4]

Thou among women, and blessed is the.

[Friar 5]

Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Friar 3]

Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord.

[Friar 2]

Is with the Blessed art thou among.

[Friar 4]

Women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[Friar 1]

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for.

[Father Mark Mary]

Us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Father Mark Mary]

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

[Friar 4]

As it was in the beginning, is.

[Father Mark Mary]

Now and ever shall be, world without end.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Father Mark Mary]

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.

[Friar 1]

In the name of the Father and.

[Father Mark Mary]

Of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

[Congregation]

Amen.

[Father Mark Mary]

Thanks, everybody, for joining me and praying with me today.

I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow. Poco. Poco.

[Friar 4]

Friends, God bless y'.

[Congregation]

All.

[Father Mark Mary]

Hey, everybody, this is Father Mark Mary, and I wanted to thank you for joining me again today and for being.

Here to pray with me on this.

Day'S episode of the Rosary in a Year podcast. And I am very excited to share with you today about a new resource from Ascension that's called My First Interactive Rosary Book. This interactive prayer guide will introduce children to the beauty of praying the rosary with interactive elements like lift the flaps, Spin the wheels, and all of the prayers of the Rosary and beautiful illustrations. You can learn more and get your copy [e-mail] interactive rosary.