Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year (Day 16: Glorify Him)
Host: Ascension | Guest: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Release Date: January 16, 2025

Introduction

In Day 16 of Ascension’s The Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, delves into the profound essence of the "Glory Be" prayer. This episode, titled "Glorify Him," explores the nature of prayer, specifically focusing on the prayer of praise, and its significance in deepening one's relationship with Jesus and Mary through the Rosary.

Exploring the "Glory Be" Prayer

Understanding the Type of Prayer: Fr. Mark-Mary begins by addressing common questions about the "Glory Be" prayer. He emphasizes that the "Glory Be" is fundamentally a prayer of praise. According to the Catechism, a prayer of praise is "entirely disinterested and rises to God, allots Him and gives Him glory for His own sake, quite beyond what He has done, but simply because He is." This means that unlike other prayers, praise is not about our needs or God's actions but solely about who God is.

Disinterested Praise vs. Other Prayers: Fr. Mark-Mary contrasts the prayer of praise with other forms of prayer:

• Prayer of Contrition: Focuses on personal failings and seeking mercy.
• Prayer of Petition: Centers on personal needs and dependence on God.
• Prayer of Thanksgiving: Expresses gratitude for God's deeds in one’s life.

In contrast, the prayer of praise is "radically disinterested," removing the focus from oneself and focusing entirely on rejoicing in God’s being.

Notable Quote:
"In a prayer of praise, we just look at him and with joy and with gratitude and with adoration and awe, like we bless him, we glorify Him... because of who he is."
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [05:30]

The Essence of Disinterested Love in Praise

Love Beyond Self: Fr. Mark-Mary illustrates the concept of disinterested praise through a touching story shared by a father. During a prolonged labor, the father remains steadfastly supportive, experiencing an overwhelming movement of love and joy purely for his newborn son’s existence. This selfless love mirrors the essence of praising God without any ulterior motives.

Notable Quote:
"We praise Him not because of what we need or because what he has done. We just look at him and rejoice in him and glorify him because of who he is."
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [12:15]

St. Francis’s Prayers: Drawing inspiration from St. Francis, Fr. Mark-Mary references the "Prayers of the Praises of God," a litany that exalts God's various attributes—goodness, holiness, beauty, joy, and hope. These prayers embody the pure adoration and praise the host encourages listeners to practice.

Practical Application in the Rosary

Incorporating Praise into Daily Prayer: Fr. Mark-Mary encourages listeners to integrate the prayer of praise into their daily Rosary practice. By doing so, one shifts focus from personal concerns to glorifying God, fostering a deeper spiritual connection and transforming the Rosary into a powerful source of grace.

Meditative Practices: He also touches upon meditative techniques such as visio divina (meditation with sacred art), lectio divina (scripture meditation), and reflections on saintly writings to enrich the prayer experience and enhance the relationship with Jesus and Mary.

Concluding Insights

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames concludes the episode by reiterating the importance of a disinterested prayer of praise in fostering a genuine and joyous relationship with God. By consistently practicing the "Glory Be," believers can transform their prayer life, making it a true reflection of adoration and love for God’s divine nature.

Closing Quote:
"With this disinterested love prayer of praise that is just and right, let us glorify him and let us praise him as we pray."
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [22:45]

Key Takeaways

• Prayer of Praise: Focuses solely on glorifying God for His very being, devoid of personal agendas.
• Disinterested Love: Emphasizes selfless adoration and joy in God's existence.
• Integration into Rosary: Enhances the Rosary experience by shifting focus from personal needs to divine praise.
• Meditative Practices: Utilize sacred art, scripture, and saintly writings to deepen prayer engagement.
• Transformative Power: Regular practice leads to a more profound and grace-filled spiritual life.

Additional Resources

For listeners looking to embark on or continue their Rosary journey, the complete prayer plan is available at Ascension Press. The Ascension app offers the best listening experience with special features and full Rosary recordings led by Fr. Mark-Mary and other friars.

Thank you for joining Fr. Mark-Mary Ames in this enriching exploration of the "Glory Be" prayer. Continue your journey with us as we deepen our prayer lives and relationships with Jesus and Mary through the Rosary.