Day 337: The Glorious Mysteries - The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)

Day 337: The Glorious Mysteries

Wed Dec 03 2025

Fr. Mark-Mary leads us in the Rosary, guiding our meditations on the Glorious mysteries. We’re reminded of Pope Benedict XVI’s teachings on the Resurrection, the Apostle’s experience of Pentecost, and God’s faithfulness to Mary. Today's focus is the Glorious Mysteries. For the complete prayer plan, visit https://ascensionpress.com/riy.

Transcript

Fr. Mike Schmitz (0:00)

Foreign.

Host/Announcer (0:04)

Mark Mary with Franciscan Friars of 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.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (0:13)

Source of grace for the whole world.

Host/Announcer (0:15)

The Rosary in a Year is brought to you by Ascension.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (0:18)

This is day 337.

Host/Announcer (0:21)

To download the prayer plan for Rosary in a year, visit ascensionpress.com rosary in a year or text R I Y 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.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (0:47)

Today we'll be praying the glorious Mysteries.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (0:50)

Let us begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (0:53)

Of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (0:56)

I believe in God, the Father Almighty.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (0:58)

Creator of heaven and earth, and in.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (1:00)

Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who's conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to hell. On the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and a life everlasting. Amen. For our Holy Father's health and intentions. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (1:41)

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 as and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)"

Episode: Day 337 – The Glorious Mysteries
Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR (with prayer leadership by additional friars)
Produced by: Ascension

Episode Overview

This episode is dedicated to praying and meditating on the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. Fr. Mark-Mary Ames (with occasional leading by other friars) offers biblical reflection and imaginative prayer to draw listeners deeper into relationship with Jesus and Mary through the history and hope found in these mysteries. As part of the “Rosary in a Year” journey, the episode encourages daily prayer habits and trust in God’s promises.

Key Discussion Points & Meditative Insights

1. Introduction & Purpose (00:04–00:47)

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames welcomes listeners, introducing the Rosary as a transformative way to deepen one's relationship with Jesus and Mary.
Emphasizes the Rosary as a “source of grace for the whole world” (Fr. Mark-Mary, 00:13).

2. Apostles’ Creed and Opening Prayers (00:53–03:05)

Recitation of foundational prayers: Apostles’ Creed, Our Father, Hail Marys (for faith, hope, and charity).
Intention for the Holy Father’s health and intentions.

3. First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection (03:05–07:19)

Meditative Reflection:

Fr. Mark-Mary emphasizes that the Resurrection is not just a return to ordinary life but "a new, glorified reality. Jesus beyond death." (03:09)
Encourages listeners to reflect on their own calling to share in this life beyond death:

“At the resurrection, we too are called to share in this life beyond death, in heaven, with him.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary, 03:33

Prayers:

Decade of the Rosary (Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be, O My Jesus).

4. Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension (07:19–11:32)

Meditative Reflection:

Uses imagination to envision Jesus’ uplifted, blessing hands, referencing Luke’s Gospel.
Profound insight:

“Jesus never lowers his hands. Jesus is not going away. Instead he's becoming even more present to us. His hands are never lowered. The blessing never stops.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary, 07:27–07:50

Prayers:

Decade of the Rosary.

5. Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (11:32–16:06)

Meditative Reflection:

Invites listeners into the apostles’ experience: "apprehensive, waiting, perhaps in trepidation” before the Holy Spirit’s descent (11:38).
Connects listeners’ personal fears to the upper room experience:

“Maybe you have something in your life where you're feeling anxious about it. ... Let's hand our fears to the Father, asking for the Spirit with confidence, just like the apostles.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary, 11:55–12:09

Prayers:

Decade of the Rosary.

6. Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary (16:06–19:43)

Meditative Reflection:

Reflection centered on the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–56):

“God has regarded the lowly state of His handmaiden and all generations call her blessed. It's all true. Her entire Magnificat is true. And if God's faithfulness was true for Mary, God's faithfulness will be true for us.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary, 16:06–16:34
Emphasizes God’s faithfulness to Mary as evidence of His promises kept to all believers.

Prayers:

Decade of the Rosary.

7. Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth (19:43–24:14)

Meditative Reflection:

Fr. Mark-Mary recalls the "Mary Help of Christians" fresco (referenced on Day 188), picturing Mary crowned among angelic choirs:

“Our Queen is crowned by God amongst the angels, and this is our home. This is where we're headed. This joy and this beauty, it's where we're going.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary, 20:28–20:37
Final note of encouragement:

“...a heavenly home awaits us where we will be united with our Lord and our Heavenly Mother.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary, 20:45–20:50

Prayers:

Decade of the Rosary.

8. Concluding Prayers (24:14–25:37)

Prays Hail Holy Queen, closing prayers for the intentions and promises of the Rosary.
Final blessing and sign-off.

Notable Closing Blessing:

"Thanks, everyone, 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."
— Fr. Mark-Mary, 25:38–25:44

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“It's not just Jesus returning to a life like before, but instead, Jesus has truly entered into a new, glorified reality. Jesus beyond death.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary, 03:09
“Jesus is not going away. Instead he's becoming even more present to us. His hands are never lowered. The blessing never stops.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary, 07:27–07:50
“Let's hand our fears to the Father, asking for the Spirit with confidence, just like the apostles.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary, 12:09
“If God's faithfulness was true for Mary, God's faithfulness will be true for us.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary, 16:34
"This is our home. This is where we're headed. This joy and this beauty, it's where we're going."
— Fr. Mark-Mary, 20:37

Timestamps for Important Segments

Intro & Opening Creed: 00:04–03:05
1st Glorious Mystery (Resurrection): 03:05–07:19
2nd Glorious Mystery (Ascension): 07:19–11:32
3rd Glorious Mystery (Pentecost): 11:32–16:06
4th Glorious Mystery (Assumption): 16:06–19:43
5th Glorious Mystery (Coronation): 19:43–24:14
Closing Prayers & Blessing: 24:14–25:44

Tone and Style

The tone is gentle, encouraging, and deeply reverent, blending clear scriptural meditation with warm pastoral guidance. Listeners are treated as companions on a journey, invited to imagination-led prayer and trust in God's fidelity.

In Summary

This episode serves as both a guided prayer and a spiritual meditation, inviting listeners to experience the Glorious Mysteries in a transformative way. Through brief reflections and scriptural reference, Fr. Mark-Mary prompts each listener to connect their lives to the unwavering hope and promise embedded in the life of Christ and Mary—culminating with encouragement to continue their spiritual journey "poco a poco."