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

Episode: Day 69 – "Nothing is Impossible"

Date: March 10, 2026
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Podcast by: Ascension

Episode Overview

In "Day 69: Nothing is Impossible," Fr. Mark-Mary Ames ushers listeners into Phase Three of the Rosary in a Year journey. He introduces a new rhythm focused on lectio divina—a prayerful and meditative reading of Scripture—using the mysteries of the Rosary. This episode initiates the first of twenty guided lectio divina sessions, meditating on the First Joyful Mystery: the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) and the profound faith of Mary as she says "yes" to God, not to a plan, but to a person. The episode reinforces that “with God nothing will be impossible,” inviting listeners to trust in God's promises as Mary did.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Phase Three: Guided Lectio Divina

• [02:10] Fr. Mark-Mary welcomes listeners to Phase Three, congratulating them for their dedication through the first two phases.

  “All right, everybody, congratulations and welcome to phase three. You've made it.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [02:10]

• The new focus: A daily practice of lectio divina using Scripture passages connected to Rosary mysteries.

• Outline of lectio divina’s four movements:

  • Lectio (Reading): Slow, prayerful reading of the passage.
  • Meditatio (Meditation): Engaging the text through imagination and reflection.
  • Oratio (Prayer): Consciously responding to God’s Word.
  • Contemplatio (Contemplation): Resting and savoring God’s presence.

2. Explaining the ‘Four Rs’ Prayer Structure

• [05:10] For “Oratio,” Fr. Mark-Mary introduces a structure:

  • Receive: Openly accept the Word and the truths being revealed.
  • Respond: Move the heart with praise and adoration.
  • Request: Ask for the grace to trust and follow God’s will.
  • Rejoice: Conclude with gratitude, regardless of spiritual consolation.

  “We want to always close our time of prayer in giving thanks to God… even if it’s dry, we want to rejoice in that.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [08:50]

3. The Mystery Meditated: The Annunciation – Luke 1:26-38

• [11:00] Fr. Mark-Mary reads the passage, emphasizing the angel’s words, Mary’s initial confusion, and her final ‘fiat’ (“let it be to me according to your word”).

• Key themes are identified:

  • The revelation and coming of the Messiah.
  • Mary’s being “troubled,” modeling faith in uncertainty.
  • The pivotal promise: “For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)
  • Mary’s ‘yes’ is not to a plan, but to God Himself.

  “The Holy Spirit will do it. ...[Mary] says, yes, not to a great, well-laid out and articulated plan, but yes to God, yes to the Holy Spirit.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [14:50]

  “It’s God knows Mary by name. He knows her.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [16:10]

4. Marian Model: Trust Amid Mystery

• Through repetitive meditation on the verse “For with God nothing will be impossible. … Let it be to me according to your word,” listeners are invited to:

  • Internalize Mary’s radical trust.
  • Echo her fiat despite life’s uncertainties.

  “Let it sink in. With God, nothing will be impossible. … And Mary’s response: let it be to me according to your word.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [18:00]

5. Oratio (Prayer): The Four Rs in Practice

• Receive: Good news of the Savior and Mary’s solidarity when “troubled.”

• Respond: Begins with praise for God’s saving action and the Blessed Mother’s example.

  “God, even though life may be mysterious… can we say yes to God?” — Fr. Mark-Mary [22:10]

• Request: For faith, trust, and the grace to say yes like Mary, particularly when clarity is absent.

• Rejoice: Thankfulness for grace, revelation, and the opportunity to enter deeper into relationship with God through Mary’s example.

  “Thank you, Lord, for this time of prayer. Thank you for your word and for speaking to us.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [26:30]

6. Contemplatio (Contemplation) and the Decade

• Invitation to focus on the one who invites (God), and to ask for the grace to imitate Mary’s yes to a person, not a plan.
• Concludes with the first decade of the Joyful Mysteries, leading listeners in prayer.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On trusting God over plans:

  “She says, yes, not to a great, well-laid out and articulated plan, but yes to God, yes to the Holy Spirit.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [14:50]

• On Mary’s example:

  “Mary too is troubled. What we want to receive as well is Mary’s example, her model as she engages the Lord, but with faith and openness.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [20:15]

• On the promise of God:

  “With God, nothing will be impossible. And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.’” — Fr. Mark-Mary [18:00]

• Call to daily personal fiat:

  “Can we give our total fiat again to him? Lord, I say yes to you in all things. I trust you in all things. I praise you in all things.” — Fr. Mark-Mary [22:50]

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – 02:10: Introduction, congratulations for reaching Phase Three
• 02:10 – 06:30: Lectio divina structure introduction
• 06:30 – 10:00: Explanation of ‘Four Rs’ prayer structure and prayer plan
• 11:00 – 16:30: Reading and meditation on the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)
• 16:30 – 18:20: Repetition and meditation on Mary's fiat and God's promise
• 18:20 – 26:45: Oratio (receive, respond, request, rejoice) and personal application
• 26:45 – End: Contemplatio, decade of the Rosary, and closing prayer

Conclusion

This episode marks a deepening in the Rosary in a Year journey, helping listeners unlock the power of divine promise and Marian trust through guided lectio divina. Fr. Mark-Mary urges the community to root their “yes” in God—especially amid life’s mysteries—by meditating on Mary’s response at the Annunciation. In prayer and practice, listeners are called to echo Mary by trusting in God, who makes the impossible possible.