Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year – Day 106: He Sends His Spirit

Title: The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)
Episode: Day 106: He Sends His Spirit
Host/Author: Ascension
Release Date: April 16, 2025

Introduction to the Episode

In Day 106 of Ascension's Rosary in a Year podcast series, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR delves into the profound mysteries surrounding the Holy Spirit, particularly focusing on the Descent of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost. This episode emphasizes the theological significance of the Holy Spirit within the Holy Trinity and encourages listeners to deepen their relationship with Jesus and Mary through the Rosary.

Meditation on St. Ambrose's Writings

Fr. Mark-Mary begins the episode by reflecting on an excerpt from St. Ambrose’s "On the Holy Spirit":

"Who then can doubt of the Godhead of the Holy Spirit, since where the grace of the Spirit is there, the manifestation of the Godhead appears, by which evidence we infer not a diversity, but the unity of the Divine power?"
[00:00]

This passage underscores the unity and divine nature of the Holy Spirit, firmly establishing the Spirit’s consubstantiality with the Father and the Son.

Understanding the Holy Spirit’s Divine Nature

Fr. Mark-Mary emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is not merely an assistant to Jesus but is fully God, integral to the Holy Trinity. He references St. Ambrose’s assertion:

"There is no doubt of the Godhead of the Holy Spirit. By which evidence we infer not a diversity, but the unity of the divine power."
[00:35]

He further explains that the Holy Spirit dwells within believers, imbuing them with faith, hope, and charity—the theological virtues. This divine presence transforms the believer, making the Holy Spirit worthy of worship and adoration, especially highlighted during Pentecost when the Spirit descended upon the apostles as tongues of fire.

Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Holy Spirit

Fr. Mark-Mary integrates teachings from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, highlighting the Holy Spirit’s consubstantiality:

"Consubstantial of one substance, of one divine substance. Consubstantial with the Father and the Son. The Spirit is inseparable from them in both the inner life of the Trinity and His gift of love for the world."
[02:15]

He appreciates the Catechism’s eloquent description:

"When the Father sends His Word, he always sends His Spirit. When the Father sends His word (Word with a capital W, referring to Jesus), he always sends his Spirit (Spirit with a capital S)."
[02:30]

This distinction clarifies the roles within the Trinity, where the Holy Spirit is the means through which the Father communicates His divine will.

Addressing the Emphasis on Jesus Over the Holy Spirit

Acknowledging that Jesus often takes precedence in Christian devotion, Fr. Mark-Mary addresses potential concerns about the lesser focus on the Holy Spirit:

"The Holy Spirit must be worshiped as God. But also, I do believe it's part of the mission of the Holy Spirit to generally remain hidden and to keep our hearts and our minds focused on Jesus and focused on the Father."
[04:00]

He reassures listeners that this focus ensures their prayers and spiritual lives remain centered on the core of Christian faith, a reflection of the Holy Spirit’s subtle yet profound influence.

The Hiddenness and Self-Effacement of the Holy Spirit

Fr. Mark-Mary elaborates on the mystical nature of the Holy Spirit, citing the Catechism:

"The Spirit of truth who unveils Christ to us will not speak on his own. Such properly divine self-effacement, like the Holy Spirit, moves with the divine self-effacement, a divine humility and a hiddenness remaining hidden..."
[05:20]

This self-effacement ensures that the Holy Spirit’s work leads believers towards a deeper understanding and union with Jesus, rather than overshadowing Him.

The Holy Spirit’s Role in the Lives of Believers

He concludes that recognizing the Holy Spirit’s presence within is essential for worship and adoration:

"Yes, the Holy Spirit is God. And it's so important for us to continue to come to the Holy Spirit knowing His power, that he's consubstantial with the Father and the Son sharing in the one divine mission, the one divine power."
[07:45]

Fr. Mark-Mary encourages listeners to embrace the Holy Spirit’s transformative power, fostering a closer relationship with Jesus and aligning one’s life with divine will.

Conclusion and Prayer Focus

As the episode draws to a close, Fr. Mark-Mary invites listeners to a moment of prayer, focusing on worshiping and giving thanks to the Holy Spirit for His unseen yet impactful work:

"Take a moment today as we pray and as we conclude with our time of prayer, of just focusing on the Holy Spirit and just having a moment here of just worshiping the Holy Spirit, giving thanks to the Holy Spirit for the many ways in which he is at work in our lives..."
[09:10]

The episode concludes with a recitation of the Hail Mary and the Glory Be, reinforcing the meditative focus on both Jesus and Mary under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways

• The Holy Spirit is fully God, consubstantial with the Father and the Son, playing a crucial role within the Holy Trinity.
• Pentecost serves as a pivotal moment highlighting the Holy Spirit’s descent and transformative power.
• St. Ambrose’s writings and the Catechism of the Catholic Church provide foundational theological insights into the nature and mission of the Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit’s self-effacing nature ensures that the focus remains on Jesus and the Father, facilitating a deeper spiritual union.
• Embracing the Holy Spirit’s presence within fosters faith, hope, and charity, essential virtues in the Christian life.

Final Thoughts

Day 106 of The Rosary in a Year beautifully intertwines theological depth with devotional practice, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the Holy Spirit’s role in their spiritual journey. Fr. Mark-Mary Ames encourages a balanced focus on Jesus and the Holy Spirit, fostering a richer, more profound prayer life through the Rosary.

For those seeking to deepen their prayer habits and understanding of Marian devotion, this episode serves as a pivotal guide, illustrating how the Holy Spirit’s subtle influence can lead to a transformative relationship with the Divine.

Explore the complete prayer plan and continue this spiritual journey by visiting Ascension Press.