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

Episode: Day 310 – The Sorrowful Mysteries

Date: November 6, 2025
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR and Franciscan Friars
Podcast: Ascension Media

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Rosary in a Year" centers around praying and meditating on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. Fr. Mark-Mary Ames and several fellow Franciscan Friars lead listeners through each decade, fostering deeper participation in these central moments of Christ's Passion. The structure is prayerful and meditative, aiming to help listeners strengthen their daily habit of prayer and deepen their relationship with Jesus and Mary.

Key Discussion Points & Structure

As a traditional guided rosary, this episode flows through the established mysteries, with gentle prompts, prayers, and moments to encourage reflection:

1. Opening and Framing the Rosary

• Intro to the Sorrowful Mysteries: Fr. Mark-Mary reminds listeners of the purpose and power of the rosary—bringing grace into the world and deepening one’s spiritual life (00:04–00:18).
• Resources: Listeners are encouraged to download the full-year plan and to use the Ascension app for an enhanced experience (00:21–00:38).

  "You'll get an outline of how we’re going to pray each month, and it’s a great way to track your progress." — Fr. Mark-Mary (00:21)

2. The Five Sorrowful Mysteries

Each mystery is introduced by name, then followed by communal recitation of the “Our Father,” ten “Hail Marys,” the “Glory Be,” and the “Fatima Prayer.” The tone is reflective, invitational, and rhythmically meditative.

First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden (00:59–04:39)

• Opening: The Passion of Jesus begins in Gethsemane, inviting meditation on His suffering and human vulnerability (01:07).

• "The first sorrowful Mystery is the agony in the Garden…" — Franciscan Friar (00:59)

• The Hail Marys are recited with gentle pacing, enabling focused reflection.

Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar (04:39–08:32)

• Reflection moves to the physical suffering of Jesus, calling listeners to consider sacrifice and mercy.

• "The second sorrowful mystery is the scourging at the pillar." — Franciscan Friar (04:39)

Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns (08:32–12:16)

• The meditation focuses on Jesus's humiliation and the mockery He endured, encouraging patience and humility.

• "The third sorrowful mystery is the crowning with thorns." — Mark Mary (08:32)

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross (12:16–15:56)

• This decade invites listeners to walk with Jesus on the way to Calvary, reflecting on perseverance and carrying one's own crosses.

• "The fourth sorrowful mystery is the carrying of the cross." — Mark Mary (12:16)

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion (15:56–19:34)

• The climax and heart of the Passion. Listeners meditate on Jesus’s death, forgiveness, and redemptive sacrifice.

• "The fifth sorrowful mystery is the crucifixion." — Franciscan Friar (15:59)

3. Closing Prayers and Blessing

• Closing with the "Glory Be," "O My Jesus," and final blessing ensures listeners conclude in unity and gratitude (19:17–19:41).
• Warm, personal thanks and encouragement from Fr. Mark-Mary reinforce the theme of community and ongoing spiritual journey.

  "Thanks, everybody, for joining me and praying with me today. I look forward to continuing this journey..." — Mark Mary (19:43)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the purpose of the rosary:
  "The Rosary brings us deeper into relationship with Jesus and Mary and becomes a source of grace for the whole world." — Mark Mary (00:04)

• On building spiritual habits:
  "Remember to tap, follow or subscribe for your daily notifications. Today we will be praying the Sorrowful Mysteries." — Mark Mary (00:38)

• Invitation to perseverance:
  "Let us begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." — Co-Friar (00:55)

• On mercy:
  "O 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." — Rotation of Friars (after each decade, e.g., 04:34, 08:20, 12:04, 15:46, 19:22)

• Closing encouragement:
  "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 you." — Mark Mary (19:43–19:49)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------|:-------------:| | Episode opening & purpose | 00:04–00:18 | | Sorrowful Mysteries Introduction & resources | 00:18–00:38 | | 1st Sorrowful Mystery: Agony in the Garden | 00:59–04:39 | | 2nd Sorrowful Mystery: Scourging at the Pillar | 04:39–08:32 | | 3rd Sorrowful Mystery: Crowning with Thorns | 08:32–12:16 | | 4th Sorrowful Mystery: Carrying of the Cross | 12:16–15:56 | | 5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion | 15:56–19:34 | | Closing prayers and blessing | 19:34–19:49 |

Tone and Spiritual Invitation

Throughout the episode, the tone is gentle, prayerful, and encouraging. The Friars' voices are calm and rhythmic, guiding listeners through each mystery with inviting reverence and warmth. There are recurring reminders that the Rosary is not just repetition but a journey—step by step (poco a poco)—toward deeper love and transformation in Christ.

Summary

If you are seeking a contemplative, structured, and spiritually rich prayer experience, this episode offers a full recitation of the Sorrowful Mysteries led by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames and fellow Franciscan Friars. The focus is not only on the prayers themselves but also on the experience of meditating together on Christ's Passion as a source of grace and transformation for oneself and the world. By following along, listeners are gently invited to grow in their prayer habits and sense of Marian devotion, united in faith with countless others around the world.