Podcast Summary: The Rosary in a Year – Day 64: Christ is Risen

Host: Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Podcast: The Rosary in a Year
Episode: Day 64: Christ is Risen
Release Date: March 5, 2025
Hosted by: Ascension

Introduction and Reading of the First Glorious Mystery

In the Day 64 episode of The Rosary in a Year, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames delves into the first Glorious Mystery: the Resurrection of Christ. The episode begins with a heartfelt welcome and instructions on how listeners can access the prayer plan through Ascension’s website or by texting "RIY" to 33777. Fr. Mark-Mary emphasizes the importance of building a daily prayer habit and invites listeners to follow or subscribe for daily notifications.

At [00:45], Fr. Mark-Mary reads the Resurrection passage from Matthew 28:1-10, setting the stage for the day’s reflection:

"Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb..." [00:50]

Examining Our Celebration of the Resurrection

Fr. Mark-Mary begins by addressing a concern within popular Catholic piety: the inadequate celebration of the Resurrection outside of Lent and Easter season. While acknowledging the fervor with which Lent is observed, he points out that the joyful celebration of the Resurrection tends to wane afterward.

"One of the great areas for improvement in kind of popular Catholic piety is our way of celebrating the Resurrection," he asserts [03:15]. Fr. Mark-Mary contrasts the intense preparation during Lent with the relatively subdued observance of the Resurrection, highlighting a gap that needs attention.

Personal Reflections: The Importance of Easter Symbols

To illustrate his point, Fr. Mark-Mary shares a poignant personal story from his first year of vows in the South Bronx. On Holy Saturday, while serving at the Padre Pio homeless shelter, he faced the task of preparing a Paschal Candle for an Easter vigil. His initial attempt to create the candle personally was met with confusion by the sacristan, leading him to realize the profound significance of the Paschal Candle in Easter celebrations.

"The Paschal symbol is the liturgical symbol par excellence of the entire liturgical year," he explains [05:30]. This revelation underscored for him the centrality of Easter symbols in representing the victory of light over darkness and the triumph of Christ’s resurrection.

A Challenge to Deepen Understanding

Fr. Mark-Mary extends a heartfelt challenge to his listeners:

"Make it a personal mission in your life and don't give up until you have found the answer to why the resurrection is so important and what does it mean for your life." [07:40]

He encourages listeners to move beyond superficial celebrations and to seek a deeper, personal connection with the Resurrection, understanding its profound impact on their spiritual lives.

Foundational Grace of the Resurrection

Reflecting further, Fr. Mark-Mary recounts another transformative moment from his seminary days. During an Easter morning homily, the repetition of "Christ is risen" resonated deeply with him, reinforcing the foundational grace that the Resurrection imparts.

"Christ is risen. These are the most important words. They need to always be on our lips," he shares [13:30]. He connects this affirmation to Romans 8:28, emphasizing that God's work in all things ensures that light will always conquer darkness.

"There is no darkness that the light cannot conquer. Christ has conquered death. And he can conquer this, too, if I give it to him..." [14:10]

Fr. Mark-Mary highlights the supernatural hope that flows from the Resurrection, empowering believers to face personal and collective struggles with unwavering faith.

Concluding Prayer and Encouragement

As the episode concludes, Fr. Mark-Mary leads listeners in a heartfelt prayer, invoking the grace of supernatural hope that stems from Christ's resurrection. He encourages listeners to internalize the truth of "Christ is risen" and to let this hope shine into the darkness of their lives.

"Whatever the darkness is, present the paschal candle to that darkness, speak this truth of life into the darkness, like Christ is risen," he exhorts [20:45].

The episode wraps up with the recitation of the Our Father, three Hail Marys, and the Glory Be, followed by a brief farewell and encouragement to continue the journey together.

"Thanks for joining me and praying with me again today. I look forward to continuing this journey with you again tomorrow." [25:00]

Key Takeaways

• Deepening Resurrection Celebration: Fr. Mark-Mary emphasizes the need for a more profound and sustained celebration of the Resurrection beyond Lent and Easter.

• Symbolic Significance: The Paschal Candle and other Easter symbols are vital in representing the victory of light over darkness and the reality of Christ's resurrection.

• Personal Challenge: Listeners are encouraged to personally explore and understand the significance of the Resurrection in their own lives.

• Foundational Hope: The Resurrection provides believers with a supernatural hope that can conquer personal and spiritual darkness.

Notable Quotes

• "One of the great areas for improvement in kind of popular Catholic piety is our way of celebrating the Resurrection." [03:15]

• "Make it a personal mission in your life and don't give up until you have found the answer to why the resurrection is so important and what does it mean for your life." [07:40]

• "Christ is risen. These are the most important words. They need to always be on our lips." [13:30]

• "Whatever the darkness is, present the paschal candle to that darkness, speak this truth of life into the darkness, like Christ is risen." [20:45]

Final Thoughts

Day 64 of The Rosary in a Year serves as a profound reminder of the centrality of the Resurrection in Christian faith. Fr. Mark-Mary Ames not only reflects on personal experiences that deepened his understanding but also challenges listeners to cultivate a resilient and active celebration of Christ’s victory over death. Through prayer, meditation, and personal introspection, this episode invites believers to embrace the transformative power of the Resurrection in their daily lives.

For the complete prayer plan and to continue this enriching journey, visit Ascension Press.