Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year (Day 122: Trophy of Victory)
Host: Ascension
Guest: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Release Date: May 2, 2025

Introduction

In Day 122 of The Rosary in a Year podcast, hosted by Ascension and guided by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, listeners are invited to deepen their prayer life through meditation on the fourth Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary: The Carrying of the Cross. This episode emphasizes transforming suffering into a source of grace by embracing the cross as a symbol of victory and glory in Christ.

Meditation on the Fourth Sorrowful Mystery

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames begins the meditation by referencing a profound insight from St. Thomas Aquinas' commentary on the Gospel of John. He introduces the central theme:

"He carried his cross as a victor carries the trophy of his victory."
(Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, 01:02)

St. Thomas Aquinas’ Interpretation

Fr. Mark-Mary delves into Aquinas' perspective, highlighting the paradox of the cross being both a symbol of disgrace and a sign of glory:

"The way Christ was brought to his crucifixion was a dishonor... death on a cross was a disgrace... they laid the cross on the condemned Jesus."
(Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, 01:02)

Aquinas acknowledges the inherent disgrace associated with the cross but reveals a transformative view:

"Christ bore his cross as a king does his scepter... he carried his cross as a victor carries the trophy of his victory."
(Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, 01:02)

Reconciling Disgrace and Glory

Fr. Mark-Mary explores how Jesus’ acceptance of the cross redefines its meaning:

"Through the cross, Jesus changes what is unholy, disgraceful, and dishonorable into something royal, something victorious, something worthy of embracing and carrying and even boasting in."
(Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, 04:30)

He cites St. Paul’s words to reinforce this transformation:

"Let those who boast boast of nothing but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
(Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, 05:10)

Application to Daily Life

Fr. Mark-Mary transitions from theological reflection to practical application, encouraging listeners to view their personal sufferings through the lens of Christ’s victorious cross.

Embracing Suffering with Jesus

"If there are some areas in our life where we can't remedy the situation... we can recognize that we are being invited to receive these crosses, to embrace them and carry them all with Jesus."
(Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, 06:45)

He emphasizes that suffering shared with Jesus is salvific:

"To suffer with Jesus is salvific... carrying the cross with Jesus makes these crosses something victorious and something glorious and something salvific."
(Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, 08:20)

Transformation Through Grace

Fr. Mark-Mary shares a personal insight:

"The places where I'm most helpful... are the areas where I have tools that come from my own sufferings, my own difficulties."
(Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, 07:30)

He underscores that carrying the cross with Jesus not only prepares individuals for ministry but makes them participants in Christ’s redemptive work:

"It makes us sharers in Jesus' own work of redemption as a source of grace and salvation for the whole world."
(Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, 08:50)

Guided Prayer

The episode includes a recitation of the Rosary, facilitated by Fr. Mike Schmitz, providing listeners with a structured prayer experience to accompany the meditation.

Conclusion and Further Resources

Fr. Mark-Mary concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to bring their sufferings and areas of shame to Jesus, allowing Him to transform these into sources of grace. He reiterates the central theme of carrying the cross as a symbol of victory and invites listeners to continue their prayer journey.

Additionally, he promotes his new book:

"Eight Promises of God: Discovering Hope through the Beatitudes... we will learn from the example of the truly blessed ones, Our Lord and Our Lady, and how they practiced and lived the Beatitudes."
(Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, 12:03)

Listeners are encouraged to visit Ascension Press to obtain their copy and further deepen their spiritual life.

Key Takeaways

• The Cross as Victory: Jesus transforms the cross from a symbol of shame into a trophy of victory, showcasing His divine glory and dominion.

• Embracing Suffering: Personal sufferings, when carried with Jesus, become opportunities for sharing in His redemptive work, turning pain into grace.

• Practical Application: Recognizing and accepting uncontrollable hardships allows believers to participate in Christ’s victory, fostering a deeper relationship with Him and Mary.

• Continuous Growth: Building a daily prayer habit through the Rosary leads to a more profound love for Marian devotion and a strengthened spiritual life.

Notable Quotes

• On the Nature of the Cross:

  "The way Christ was brought to his crucifixion was a dishonor bearing his own cross... he carried his cross as a victor carries the trophy of his victory."
  (Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, 01:02)

• On Embracing Suffering:

  "To suffer with Jesus is salvific... carrying the cross with Jesus makes these crosses something victorious and something glorious and something salvific."
  (Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, 08:20)

• On Personal Transformation:

  "The places where I'm most helpful... are the areas where I have tools that come from my own sufferings, my own difficulties."
  (Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, 07:30)

Additional Resources

• Prayer Plan Download: Access the complete Rosary in a Year prayer plan at Ascension Press or text RIY to 33777.

• Podcast Access: Listen to the podcast via the Ascension app, which offers special features and recordings of the full Rosary with Fr. Mark-Mary and other friars.

• Support the Podcast: Consider supporting the podcast financially to help reach a broader audience. Visit Ascension Support to contribute.

Stay tuned for the next episode of The Rosary in a Year as Fr. Mark-Mary Ames continues to guide you on this transformative prayer journey.