Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year (Bonus Episode: Preparing for the Rosary in a Year)

Hosted by: Ascension
Guest: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Release Date: December 17, 2024
Duration: 16 minutes 27 seconds

Introduction and Collaboration

In this bonus episode of Ascension’s Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames welcomes listeners and introduces a special collaboration with Fr. Mike Schmitz. The episode sets the stage for the upcoming "Rosary in a Year" journey, building upon Ascension’s previous initiatives like the "Bible in a Year" and "Catechism in a Year" podcasts.

Notable Quote:

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [00:04]: "Welcome, everybody... get to know and to grow in love with our Lord and Our Lady in the mysteries of our faith."

Building Upon Previous Initiatives: A Natural Progression

Fr. Ames and Fr. Schmitz discuss how "Rosary in a Year" organically extends the foundation laid by the "Bible in a Year" and "Catechism in a Year" podcasts. They employ vivid analogies to illustrate this progression:

• Garden Analogy: The "Bible in a Year" serves as the foundation—tilling the land and planting seeds.
• Catechism in a Year: Acts as the education for future gardeners, teaching how to nurture the planted seeds.
• Rosary in a Year: Represents the ongoing cultivation and enjoyment of the garden’s fruits.

Notable Quote:

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [01:54]: "The Rosary in the year is this ongoing, certainly maintaining cultivating of this garden, but also the enjoyment of its fruits."

The Garden and Basilica Analogies

To further elucidate the program's structure and purpose, Fr. Ames introduces the basilica analogy:

• Bible and Catechism Phases: Comparable to building a basilica—laying the foundation and beautifying the space with art and teachings.
• Rosary in a Year: Symbolizes a prayerful journey within the basilica, akin to moving through St. Peter’s Basilica with focused, meaningful prayer sessions rather than trying to absorb the entire structure at once.

Notable Quote:

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [04:14]: "The rosary in the year is just going to be this prayerful, like, movement through this basilica."

Phases of "Rosary in a Year"

Fr. Ames outlines the structured phases of the "Rosary in a Year" program, each designed to deepen the listener's prayer life and relationship with God and Mary.

Phase One: Forming the Relationship

Focuses on establishing a foundational prayer habit and entering into a relationship with the Holy Trinity and Our Lady.

Structure:

• 1 Our Father
• 3 Hail Marys
• 1 Glory Be

Notable Quote:

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [09:24]: "I want to know what the cracks in the ground look like... spend so much time there. Like, I get it from within."

Phase Two: Biblical Roots of the Mysteries and the Prayers

Delves into the scriptural foundations of the Rosary’s mysteries and prayers, reinforcing their connection to the Bible.

Focus Areas:

• Scripture verses linked to each Mystery
• Biblical origins of prayers like the Hail Mary and Our Father

Phase Three: Meditating on the Mysteries

Enhances meditation through various spiritual exercises.

Components:

• Lectio Divina: Quiet scripture meditation
• Reflections/Essays by Saints: Insights from theological and prayerful experts
• Visio Divina: Engagement with sacred artwork to deepen understanding of Mysteries

Notable Quote:

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [03:47]: "the ways in which we can find them also rooted in Scripture."

Phase Four: Finding Focus

Encourages focused prayer by dedicating time to a single decade of the Rosary, fostering deep meditation.

Structure:

• 10 minutes of concentrated prayer on one Mystery

Notable Quote:

Fr. Mike Schmitz [06:28]: "How do I embody that? And that's... I think one of these ways is this rosary in a year."

Phase Five: Building up the Decades

Gradually increases the number of decades prayed together, strengthening the prayerful discipline.

Progression:

• From one decade to five decades

Notable Quote:

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [07:35]: "...we are all praying together one decade. It's just building up the muscle of prayer."

Phase Six: Praying Together

Concludes the journey by praying the entire Rosary daily, integrating all previous phases into a cohesive prayer life.

Objective:

• To culminate in a united, comprehensive prayer practice that embodies the year-long spiritual growth.

Personal Experiences and Insights

Throughout the conversation, both Fr. Ames and Fr. Schmitz share personal anecdotes reflecting the transformative power of dedicated prayer practices:

• Fr. Mike Schmitz compares the program to an Ignatian retreat, emphasizing the importance of being conscious of God’s presence.

  Notable Quote:

  Fr. Mike Schmitz [12:38]: "This incredible that I imagine anyone like you said the professional rosary prayers to the person who is like, okay, I'll try it."

• Fr. Mark-Mary Ames discusses his own journey with the Rosary, highlighting the importance of meaningful engagement over mere completion.

  Notable Quote:

  Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [15:00]: "...the goal is not just to say as many rosaries as possible. The goal is to fall in love."

Conclusion

The bonus episode serves as a comprehensive introduction to the "Rosary in a Year" program, outlining its structured approach to fostering a deep, enduring relationship with God and Mary through the Rosary. By building upon previous spiritual foundations and employing thoughtful analogies and structured phases, the program aims to transform prayer from a routine task into a heartfelt, life-changing practice.

Final Remarks:

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [16:17]: "Thank you so much to all of our listeners for joining us, and I look forward to praying with you with the rosary in a year."

For more information and to access the complete prayer plan, visit Ascension Press: Rosary in a Year.