The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames) Day 51: Moved With Awe (2026)
Feb 20, 2026
A warm retelling of the Nativity and how encountering Jesus can spark childlike wonder. A reading of Luke 2 sets the scene, followed by St. Francis’ living crèche and a moving shelter Christmas story. The tale of Fitz shows unexpected generosity breaking through a hardened heart. Listeners are invited to imagine standing before the manger and to pray together.
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St. Francis Recreated The Manger
- Fr. Mark-Mary describes St. Francis creating the first nativity scene to re-experience what Mary and the shepherds felt.
- He used a cave, hay, animals, and reenactment to enter into the manger’s reality.
Overwhelmed By Unexpected Goodness
- Fr. Mark-Mary recounts a Christmas Eve at the South Bronx shelter where a new guest, “Fitz,” arrived and observed the celebration in silence.
- Fitz broke down crying when gifted many things, overwhelmed by goodness he hadn’t expected.
Awe Is The Natural Response To The Nativity
- The nativity evokes a similar movement of the heart: awe at a gift so undeserved and beyond expectation.
- Fr. Mark-Mary frames tears and wonder as the reasonable response to Christ’s birth.