Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames

Episode: Day 17: Turn On the Light
Date: January 17, 2026
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR (Ascension)

Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames explores the spiritual significance of the Sign of the Cross and the invocation of the Holy Trinity at the beginning and end of our prayers. Drawing from Scripture, the Catechism, and personal reflection, he illustrates how the Trinity is “the light” that allows us to truly see all the mysteries of faith, including ourselves and creation. The episode encourages listeners to make the Sign of the Cross with intentionality, as an act of faith that opens their spiritual eyes to God's presence and truth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Scriptural Foundations of the Sign of the Cross

• Matthew 28:19: The command to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
• Psalm 36:9: “For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light do we see light.”
  Fr. Mark-Mary roots the episode’s theme in these readings, emphasizing the transforming light and life that flow from God.

The Trinity as Light – Opening Our Eyes

• The Trinity is Central:

  “The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. ...the light that enlightens [all mysteries].” (03:04)
  Fr. Mark-Mary quotes the Catechism to emphasize the Trinity’s primacy.

• The Analogy of Light in St. Peter’s Basilica:
  Fr. Mark-Mary crafts a vivid image:

  “Imagine yourself in St. Peter's Basilica...surrounded by masterpieces...but it's night and all the lights are out. ...All you're seeing is darkness. What all of these masterpieces are dependent on...is light.” (04:10)
  When the lights come on, the art is revealed in all its beauty. So, too, all the mysteries of faith are only truly seen by the light of God.

• The Nature of Divine Light:
  Divine light is not sterile or harsh:

  “The light of God flows from the fire of God. ...it shines, it reveals, it gives meaning and understanding, but also it warms, it fills with love...and it purifies.” (05:40)

Baptism: Receiving the Light and the Gift of Faith

• Baptism and the Indwelling Trinity:

  “We are baptized in the name of the Most Holy Trinity. …The Most Holy Trinity comes to dwell inside of our souls.” (06:32)

• The Gift of Faith as Spiritual Sight:
  Faith, received through baptism, is like being granted eyes to see spiritual realities:

  “Through...the gift of faith, we can see God and participate in the life of God, and see all things in this light.” (07:19)

• Living and Praying in This Light:
  Making the Sign of the Cross is compared to stepping into light:

  “When we make the sign of the cross...we step into the basilica and we open our eyes and we see the light.” (08:00)

The Sign of the Cross: Act of Faith and Transformation

• More Than a Gesture:
  Fr. Mark-Mary challenges listeners to make the Sign thoughtfully:

  “When we pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, it's not that we're turning on the lights—like the eternal light of God is always shining. Our capacity, by baptism—the gift of faith—it's there.” (08:39)

• Seeing All Mysteries Anew:
  Praying in God’s name means viewing everything—Mary, the saints, creation, even ourselves—in God’s light:

  “This includes the Blessed Virgin Mary, all of the saints, the mysteries we meditate on in the rosary, all creation, our brothers and sisters, and ourselves—in the light of God.” (09:40)

• Light Reveals Both Dignity and Brokenness:
  Entering God’s light shows us both our worth and our need for healing:

  “We see ourselves—our dignity. But also what's revealed is...the areas in which we are poor and dirty and broken.” (10:27)

• Sign of the Cross at End of Prayer?:
  Fr. Mark-Mary answers a common question about ending prayer:

  “When we close our prayer with the sign of the cross, does that mean we're closing our eyes, turning off the lights? No, not at all. …We're asking [God] to continue to inspire prayer and continue to shine his light upon us.” (11:20)

Practical Encouragement

• When making the Sign of the Cross, remember:

  “We are making this act of faith by which we are coming before God. We are opening our eyes to see him, to see all of creation, and all other mysteries in his light.” (12:13)

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to increase this disposition.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The light of God flows from the fire of God. …it shines, it reveals, ...but also it warms, it fills with love...and it purifies.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary (05:40)

• “When we make the sign of the cross...we step into the basilica and we open our eyes and we see the light.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary (08:00)

• “When we pray...it's not that we're turning on the lights—like the eternal light of God is always shining. ...By baptism, the gift of faith, it's there; like we have the gift of sight.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary (08:39)

• “We see ourselves in our dignity. But also ...the areas in which we are poor and dirty and broken, right? And so there is an act of courage and vulnerability, of coming out...of the darkness.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary (10:27)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–01:30: Welcome, episode theme, scriptural readings
• 02:00–06:30: The Trinity as light; St. Peter’s Basilica analogy; nature of God’s light
• 06:32–08:39: Baptism, faith as spiritual sight, making the Sign of the Cross
• 08:40–10:45: Seeing all things and ourselves in God’s light; dignity and brokenness
• 11:20–12:25: Closing the prayer with the Sign of the Cross; ongoing openness to God’s light
• 12:26–End: Final encouragement, intentional Sign of the Cross, closing prayers

Tone & Final Encouragement

In his gentle, accessible, and pastorally inviting style, Fr. Mark-Mary invites listeners to deepen the spirit behind their gestures—encouraging practitioners of the Rosary to “make the sign of the cross” as an intentional step into God’s illuminating presence, rather than as a routine motion.

Final encouragement:

“Let us just remember what we’re doing. We are making this act of faith by which we are coming before God. We are opening our eyes to see him, to see all of creation and all other mysteries in his light.” (12:13)

Listen to the full episode for guided prayer and a deeper dive into the power and meaning of the Sign of the Cross.