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

Episode: Day 348: The Glorious Mysteries
Date: December 14, 2025
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR (Ascension)
Podcast Theme: Guiding listeners deeper into prayer and relationship with Jesus and Mary through meditations on the Rosary

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, inviting listeners to encounter the Resurrection, Ascension, the descent of the Holy Spirit, the Assumption of Mary, and her Coronation as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Through scriptural references, saintly wisdom, and meditative prayer, Fr. Mark-Mary and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal show how these mysteries offer hope, confidence, and the assurance that God generously rewards those who follow Him. The tone throughout is gentle, encouraging, and reverent, fostering an environment of contemplative prayer and reflection.

Key Discussion Points and Spiritual Insights

1. Opening and Introduction (00:00 - 01:01)

• Brief reminders about forming habits, resources available (prayer guides, Ascension app), and how to access additional materials.
• Invitation to pray the Glorious Mysteries together and to pursue deeper relationship with Jesus and Mary.

2. First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection (03:17 - 07:16)

Reflection:

• The resurrection brings Christ’s message, “Do not be afraid,” repeated by Jesus and the angels to the disciples.
• Quote:

  “Be not afraid. And how fitting that this message is paired with the mystery that should give us the most confidence and hope, like the resurrection of the Lord. Christ is risen.”
  — Friar Francis (03:17)

• Call to allow the resurrected Lord to speak this hope and confidence into listeners’ hearts, especially in fearful or uncertain times.

Notable moment:

• “Be not afraid” is repeated as a meditation and spiritual encouragement (03:45, 04:00).

3. Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension (07:45 - 11:58)

Reflection:

• Meditative focus on sacred art: “The Ascension of the Lord” by Bernardino Gandino. The painting features footprints, emphasizing following in Jesus’ steps.
• Connection to St. Francis’ spirituality—“poco a poco,” or little by little, step by step.
• Quote:

  “Following in his very footsteps, following in his footsteps is what will lead us to heaven with Him.”
  — Friar Francis (08:32)

Notable moment:

• The encouragement to view discipleship as a gradual journey, inspired by the example and writings of St. Francis.

4. Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit (12:10 - 16:23)

Reflection:

• Use of Acts 1:14: the apostles and Mary “devoted themselves to prayer”—described as the first novena, a dedicated period of prayer.
• Emphasis on perseverance in prayer, even with “stubbornness,” as shown by the apostles and Mary awaiting Pentecost.
• Quote:

  “Let’s ask to pray like Mary and the apostles did in the upper room... with patient assiduousness and even like a stubborn perseverance made firm and strong through radical and total hope and confidence in our loving Father.”
  — Friar Francis (13:10)

Notable moment:

• The analogy of the first novena, calling for listeners to pray with the same hope and perseverance.

5. Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary (16:54 - 21:09)

Reflection:

• Scriptural basis: Matthew 19:29—God is never outdone in generosity; whatever is sacrificed for Christ is returned a hundredfold.
• Mary’s Assumption is presented as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise; what is given up for Christ is more than repaid.
• Quote:

  “God is never going to be outdone in generosity... the promise of his not being outdone in generosity like it was fulfilled in Mary, and it will be fulfilled in your life and mine as well.”
  — Friar Francis (17:16, 17:49)

6. Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary (21:24 - 25:12)

Reflection:

• Honor is given to Mary as Queen, and to Christ as King.
• Listeners are invited to simply venerate and rest in the beauty and majesty of Jesus and Mary.
• Quote:

  “Let’s just take a moment to venerate Our Lady... contemplate the beauty of our king and queen. And give honor to them as we pray this final decade.”
  — Friar Francis (21:42, 21:58)

7. Closing Prayers and Blessing (25:37 - 26:36)

Key Prayers:

• Hail Holy Queen
• Closing collect, asking for grace to imitate the mysteries of the Rosary and obtain their promises
• Final blessing, encouragement, and “Poco a poco, friends, God bless y'all” (26:36)

Notable Quotes With Timestamps

• “Be not afraid. And how fitting that this message is paired with the mystery that should give us the most confidence and hope, like the resurrection of the Lord. Christ is risen.”
  — Friar Francis (03:17)

• “Following in his very footsteps, following in his footsteps is what will lead us to heaven with Him.”
  — Friar Francis (08:32)

• “Let’s ask to pray like Mary and the apostles did in the upper room... with patient assiduousness and even like a stubborn perseverance made firm and strong through radical and total hope and confidence in our loving Father.”
  — Friar Francis (13:10)

• “God is never going to be outdone in generosity... the promise of his not being outdone in generosity like it was fulfilled in Mary, and it will be fulfilled in your life and mine as well.”
  — Friar Francis (17:16, 17:49)

• “Let’s just take a moment to venerate Our Lady... contemplate the beauty of our king and queen. And give honor to them as we pray this final decade.”
  — Friar Francis (21:42, 21:58)

• “Poco a poco, friends, God bless y’all.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary & Prayer Leader (26:36)

Timestamps for Key Spiritual Meditations

• Resurrection Reflection & “Be not afraid” (03:17 – 04:00)
• Ascension Meditation & St. Francis’ Steps (07:45 – 08:32)
• The First Novena & Perseverance in Prayer (12:14 – 13:10)
• Assumption & God’s Generosity (16:54 – 17:49)
• Coronation & Rest in Christ and Mary (21:42 – 21:58)
• Final Blessing (26:36)

Summary

This episode is a gentle, contemplative walk through the Glorious Mysteries. Listeners are guided to meditate on Christ’s triumph, Mary’s faithfulness, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—reminded at every step of God’s generosity and grace. Practical biblical and spiritual insights interweave with traditional Rosary prayers, making this episode both grounding and uplifting for new and experienced pray-ers alike.

Listeners are left with a sense of spiritual encouragement: God’s promises are real, faithful perseverance is powerful, and by following Christ and venerating Mary, one draws nearer to heaven, “poco a poco”—little by little, step by step.