Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year – Day 186: Power From On High

Podcast Information

• Title: The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)
• Host/Author: Ascension
• Episode: Day 186: Power From On High
• Release Date: July 5, 2025

Overview In Day 186 of The Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, delves into the profound theme of divine power as manifested through the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This episode intertwines theological reflections with artistic appreciation, guiding listeners to deepen their prayer life and relationship with Jesus and Mary through the Rosary.

1. Introduction to the Episode

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames begins by welcoming listeners and highlighting the resources available to enhance their Rosary journey, including the Rosary in a Year Prayer Guide. He introduces the day’s focus: the third Glorious Mystery—the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The episode employs Simone Piterzano's painting of Pentecost from the Basilica Santa Euphemia as a focal point for meditation.

2. Artistic Reflection: Simone Piterzano’s Pentecost

Fr. Mark-Mary provides an insightful introduction to the artist Simone Piterzano and his work:

• Artist Background:

  • “Simone Pietrazano, born in 1535 and died in 1599, was an Italian Mannerist painter from Bergamo.” [02:00]
  • Trained in Venice, possibly under Titian, with a style reminiscent of Tintoretto and Veronese.
  • Active in Milan during the 1570s, renowned for religious frescoes and altarpieces.
  • Notably, he was a mentor to Caravaggio, influencing the latter’s chiaroscuro technique.

• Artistic Style and Analysis:

  • “Notice the Venetian roots, warm, luminous palette, and dynamic brushwork with Mannerist drama through elongated figures and theatrical gestures.” [04:00]
  • The painting depicts the Virgin Mary and the apostles in a moment of divine illumination, emphasizing the Holy Spirit’s presence through light and symbolism.

• Description of the Painting:

  • The Virgin Mary, adorned in blue and red robes, sits centrally with folded arms, eyes closed, bathed in heavenly light.
  • A white dove represents the Holy Spirit, radiating golden light towards the gathered disciples.
  • Cherub angels and elongated figures enhance the spiritual and dramatic atmosphere.
  • “A single pillar of orange flame hovers above each of their heads,” symbolizing the Holy Spirit’s power [05:30].

3. Catholics’ Engagement with Lent vs. Easter

Fr. Mark-Mary transitions into a reflective discussion on the contrasting Catholic engagements during Lent and the Easter season:

• Lenten Commitment:

  • “Catholics excel during Lent, engaging deeply with devotionals and penitential practices.” [06:00]
  • Even non-practicing Catholics often participate in Lenten observances.
  • The structured, goal-oriented nature of Lent appeals to human tendencies for control and measurable progress.

• Easter Silence:

  • In stark contrast, the Easter season sees a noticeable drop in active participation.
  • “If you ask a Catholic what they are doing for Easter, they might look confused,” highlighting a gap despite Easter’s foundational significance.
  • Fr. Mark-Mary emphasizes that Catholics are inherently an Easter people, echoing Pope John Paul II’s sentiment: “Alleluia is our song.” [08:30]

4. Theological Insights: Waiting on Divine Power

Delving deeper, Fr. Mark-Mary explores the theological underpinnings of waiting for divine power:

• Pentecost and Divine Promise:

  • Quoting Luke, “Jesus says, and behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you, but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” [09:00]
  • Emphasizes that divine power is a gift to be received, not earned.

• Worldly vs. Christian Power:

  • “Worldly power seeks to conquer and glorify oneself, whereas Christian power is a gift from God, requiring surrender and dependence.” [10:15]
  • Highlights the contrast between self-reliance and reliance on God’s strength.

• The Beatitudes and Surrender:

  • Connects the theme to the Beatitudes, which encourage waiting for God’s action and surrendering control.
  • “We struggle to uproot control, yet we must surrender to receive God’s promise of the Holy Spirit.” [11:45]

• Application to Personal Struggles:

  • Fr. Mark-Mary relates this to personal challenges: “When facing sins, struggles, or spiritual dryness, we are called to bring them to the Lord and wait for His intervention.” [12:30]
  • Encourages embracing dependence on God’s timing and strength.

5. Practical Application: Prayer and Reflection

The episode culminates with a guided prayer, encouraging listeners to seek the Holy Spirit’s power and to emulate Mary and the apostles in their faithful waiting:

• Personal Petition:

  • “Give me the gift of your Holy Spirit. Live your life in me. Give me the grace to like Mary and the apostles, to wait on you, to find security, not in my own control, not in my own power, but in you and your promises.” [14:00]

• Structured Prayer:

  • The remainder of the episode features the recitation of the Rosary, providing a space for listeners to meditate on the Glorious Mystery of Pentecost and internalize the day’s reflections.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “We are an Easter people, right? And Alleluia is our song, as Pope John Paul II said at his Angelus.” [07:45]
• “Worldly power seeks to conquer and glorify oneself, whereas Christian power is a gift from God, requiring surrender and dependence.” [10:15]
• “When facing sins, struggles, or spiritual dryness, we are called to bring them to the Lord and wait for His intervention.” [12:30]

Conclusion Fr. Mark-Mary Ames expertly intertwines art, theology, and personal reflection to guide listeners toward a deeper understanding of divine power and the importance of waiting on the Holy Spirit. By contrasting the structured devotion of Lent with the more passive Easter season, he challenges Catholics to embrace the joyous reception of God’s promises, fostering a more balanced and profound spiritual life through the Rosary.

Listeners are encouraged to continue their journey with the Rosary in a Year prayer plan, available through Ascension, to further cultivate their relationship with Jesus and Mary.