Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year – Day 100: Always Her Son

Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Podcast: The Rosary in a Year
Host Organization: Ascension
Release Date: April 10, 2025

Overview

In Day 100: "Always Her Son" of The Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames guides listeners through a deep meditation on the second sorrowful mystery of the Rosary—the scourging at the Pillar. Drawing from the mystical writings of Saint Bridget of Sweden, Fr. Ames offers a profound reflection on Mary’s sorrow as she witnesses her son, Jesus Christ, enduring immense suffering. This episode emphasizes building a daily habit of prayer, fostering a relationship with Jesus and Mary, and understanding the Biblical foundations of the Rosary.

Introduction to Saint Bridget of Sweden

Fr. Ames begins by providing background on Saint Bridget of Sweden, a pivotal figure in Marian devotion. Born in 1303 and passing in 1373, Saint Bridget experienced visions from a young age, including a profound revelation of the Man of Sorrows, depicting Jesus Christ with the wounds of his Passion. After becoming a widow and mother to eight children, including Saint Catherine of Sweden, Bridget devoted herself to prayer, penance, and service, ultimately founding the Bridgetines, a religious order within the Franciscan tradition. Her work, Revelations, comprises mystical insights intended to edify and guide believers in their prayer lives.

Notable Quote:
"Saint Bridget's Revelations offer a treasure trove of mystical experiences that deepen our understanding and devotion."
(00:05)

Episode Disclaimer and Sensitivity Notice

Fr. Ames issues a heartfelt disclaimer regarding the episode’s content. He warns listeners about the intense and vivid portrayal of Christ’s scourging, acknowledging that such imagery may be distressing to some. He likens the experience to the emotional depth found in the film The Passion of the Christ, emphasizing that the episode is intended as a prayerful and imaginative reflection rather than a mere recounting of events.

Notable Quote:
"If you are particularly sensitive to the sufferings of Christ, this episode may push you beyond what is spiritually beneficial for you."
(00:15)

Meditation on "Always Her Son"

The core of the episode revolves around the meditation inspired by Saint Bridget’s writings. Fr. Ames reads a poignant passage from Revelations, describing Mary’s profound sorrow as she observes Jesus being scourged:

Excerpt from Saint Bridget:
"The Blessed Virgin, when the time of my Son's passion arrived, his enemies seized him, striking him on his cheek and neck, and spitting upon him... Then my son put on his clothes, and I beheld the spot where my Son's feet stood, all full of blood."
(00:25)

Fr. Ames delves into the emotional and spiritual layers of this passage, highlighting the fulfillment of Simeon’s prophecy that a sword would pierce Mary's heart. He reflects on Mary's enduring identification with her son, noting how every step Jesus takes leaves the earth "stained with the blood of the Lamb," symbolizing the deep connection between mother and son.

Notable Quote:
"I knew my son's course by his footprints. For wherever he went, the earth seemed stained with blood."
(00:35)

Reflections and Insights

Fr. Ames shares his personal reflections, emphasizing that the meditation is not merely a lesson but an invitation to feel the sorrow prophetic in nature. He encourages listeners to contemplate the purity and innocence of Jesus even in His suffering and to understand the profound impact of Mary’s heart being pierced by her son’s Passion.

He draws parallels between Mary’s experience and that of any parent witnessing the suffering of their child, deepening the listener’s empathetic connection to Mary's sorrow.

Notable Quote:
"As Our Lady beholds her son scourged, she is reminded of the pure and innocent child she first held in Bethlehem."
(00:45)

Invitation to Prayer

Concluding the meditation, Fr. Ames invites listeners to remain in a contemplative state, fully beholding Christ’s suffering and Mary’s sorrow. He leads them into collective prayer, uniting their hearts with Mary’s as they meditate on the mystery.

Notable Quote:
"Allow your heart to be pierced as well, and together with Our Lady, let us pray."
(00:55)

The Rosary Prayers

Following the meditation, the episode transitions into the recitation of the Rosary prayers, including the Our Father, multiple Hail Marys, and the Glory Be, facilitating a structured prayer experience aligned with the day's mystery.

Closing Remarks

Fr. Ames wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to the listeners for joining in prayer. He encourages them to continue the journey of daily prayer and reflection, reinforcing the transformative power of the Rosary in deepening one’s spiritual life.

Notable Quote:
"Thank you so much for joining me and praying with me today. I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow."
(End of Episode)

Key Takeaways

• Deepening Prayer Life: The episode underscores the importance of building a consistent prayer routine to foster a closer relationship with Jesus and Mary.

• Mary’s Sorrow: Fr. Ames highlights Mary’s profound sorrow during Christ’s Passion, encouraging listeners to empathize with her experience and integrate that sorrow into their own spiritual reflections.

• Mystical Insights: Drawing from Saint Bridget’s Revelations, the meditation offers mystical perspectives that enrich the understanding of the Rosary’s mysteries.

• Emotional Connection: By relating Mary’s pain to universal parental experiences, the meditation bridges personal empathy with theological reflection.

Additional Resources

Listeners are encouraged to download the complete prayer plan for Rosary in a Year by visiting Ascension Press or texting RIY to 33777. The Ascension app also provides special features and recordings of the full Rosary to enhance the prayer experience.

This episode of The Rosary in a Year serves as a heartfelt guide through one of the most poignant mysteries of the Rosary, offering both intellectual insights and emotional resonance to deepen the listener's devotional practice.