The Rosary in a Year: Episode Summary - Day 209: Praying With the Father

Release Date: July 28, 2025
Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Produced by: Ascension

Introduction to Phase Five

In Day 209 of The Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames introduces listeners to Phase Five of their spiritual journey. Having successfully completed Phase Four, attendees are now ready to "build up the decades"—a pivotal step towards deepening their Rosary prayer practice.

“We are going to begin phase five, building up the decades. So what we'll be doing here is slowly but surely poco, poco, if you will...”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [02:22]

Building Up the Decades

Fr. Mark-Mary outlines the essence of Phase Five: gradually increasing the number of decades prayed, allowing participants to enhance their prayer and meditation skills without feeling overwhelmed. This phase emphasizes quality over quantity, ensuring that each prayer session is meaningful and deeply rooted in faith.

“We're going to start again, small and focused at the service of depth. But little by little... we're going to be building up the amount of decades we're going to be praying at each time.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [02:46]

Focus on Relationship with the Father

A cornerstone of this phase is fostering a personal relationship with God the Father. Fr. Mark-Mary references teachings from Father Andrew Apostoli, emphasizing the three focal points of prayer:

1. Who We Are Speaking To: Establishing a connection with the divine.
2. The Words We Are Saying: The content and intention behind our prayers.
3. The Mysteries We Are Meditating Upon: Reflecting on significant events in the life of Jesus and Mary.

“The foundational one is like the relational part that we're not just, you know, talking on a phone... we're in relationship.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [02:46]

Attributes of the Father

Delving deeper into understanding God the Father, Fr. Mark-Mary highlights His omnipresent and loving nature. Through the Son, believers gain a clear understanding of the Father's attributes:

• Omniscient: "One who sees in secret, one who sees us, one who is with us."
  — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [03:47]

• Generous: "One who loves to give his children good gifts."

• Attentive and Joyful: "One who loves to hear our voice, one who delights in us, and one who always hears us."

These reflections encourage listeners to approach prayer with confidence in the Father's presence and care.

Practical Instructions for Creating a Prayer Space

Fr. Mark-Mary invites listeners to find a personal prayer space—a quiet and comfortable environment where they can fully immerse themselves in prayer. Whether it's a serene spot at the beach, a favorite corner in the home, or a local chapel, the goal is to enhance the prayer experience by minimizing distractions.

“Find your space. This could be the beach. This could be the lake... or chapel dinner table.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [04:33]

Guided Prayer: The Rosary

The majority of the episode is dedicated to guiding listeners through two decades of the Rosary, each accompanied by specific meditations and prayers.

1. First Decade: The Annunciation
   Focuses on Mary's acceptance of God's will, reflecting on obedience and faith.

2. Second Decade: The Visitation
   Centers on Mary's visit to Elizabeth, highlighting service and charity.

Each decade involves:

• The Lord's Prayer: Setting the intention and seeking guidance.

  “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name...”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [05:58]

• Hail Marys: Emphasizing purity and devotion to Mary.

  “Hail Mary, full of grace... Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [06:30 - 09:20]

• Glory Be: Giving glory to the Holy Trinity.

  “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit...”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [10:05]

• O My Jesus: Concluding with a plea for forgiveness and salvation.

  “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell...”
  — Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [10:18]

This structured approach not only repeats the prayers but also deepens the meditational aspect, allowing for a more profound connection with the divine.

Conclusion and Encouragement

Fr. Mark-Mary wraps up the session by expressing gratitude to participants for their dedication and perseverance. He encourages listeners to continue their journey, reinforcing the importance of community and consistent practice in cultivating a deeper spiritual life.

“Thanks, everybody, for joining me, for praying with me today. I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [15:18]

He concludes with a heartfelt blessing, embodying the communal spirit of the Rosary prayer.

“Friends, God bless y’all.”
— Fr. Mark-Mary Ames [15:25]

Key Takeaways

• Phase Five emphasizes the gradual building up of Rosary decades, enhancing both quantity and quality of prayer.
• A personal relationship with God the Father is foundational, supported by understanding His attributes and love.
• Creating a dedicated prayer space is essential for deepening one's prayer practice.
• Consistent practice and community support are vital for spiritual growth and sustaining a daily prayer habit.

For the complete prayer plan and additional resources, visit Ascension Press.