"How do I pray with Our Lady?" "How do I lift my mind and heart to the Lord?"

These are some of the questions Father Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, hopes he answers for listeners during his new "Rosary in a Year" podcast with Ascension Presents.

Father Mark-Mary sat down with ChurchPOP editor Jacqueline Burkepile for an exclusive interview about the graces he hopes flow from inspiring and guiding people in praying the rosary.

The 15-minute daily podcast aired on Jan. 1, 2025, topping Apple's podcast charts during its first week of release.

In the interview, Burkepile asked Father Mark-Mary how he plans to spread the podcast into a year, what it will consist of, the impact he hopes it makes on his listeners, and why he believes praying the rosary is important.

He also explains why this podcast can relate to all viewers - those new to the rosary and those who have prayed it for years.

Listen to the "Rosary in a Year" interview with Father Mark-Mary Ames below:

Click here if you cannot see the video above.

"The Rosary in a Year is a way for those who've been doing it a while and maybe it's become sort of a little bit stale; for those who've never been taught to do it, never tried it, maybe have tried it, and couldn't develop a taste for it. So a way to sort of accompany people into it," he said.

Burkepile also asked Father Mark-Mary how he would respond to people who are "put off" by the rosary, and those who believe it's "too long," "boring," or they "don't have time."

"Catholics, Christian– we are people of truth and people of objective truth. So it's important that we live in the fullness of truth. The fullness of the truth is that the rosary is devotional, which means that it is not obligatory," Father Mark-Mary begins.

"We do have freedom with the rosary. That being said, it isn't just a devotion amongst devotions. We have the Liturgy ...we have to celebrate the Mass in the way in which it's given to us," he answers.

"Within devotions and devotionals kind of through the last, more or less 800 years, which the rosary has become more popularized with, you know, Our Lady at Fatima with a number of the saints with John Paul II.

"It really is, if you will, like the devotional par excellence. And there's a great genius to it," Father Mark-Mary continues. "It's been shown to be a huge tremendous source of grace for ourselves and the whole world."

Father Mark-Mary then said that many of the "great saints of our time" had a devotion to the rosary.

"The great saints of our time– John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Padre Pio– one of the things that's consistent about them is a devotion to the Rosary. And so I do think it's worth exploring and worth fighting for," he said.

"If it's like, 'Okay, it's not really working for me.' Well, maybe it's not the rosary that's broken. Maybe it's not that I'm broken. Maybe there's just some disconnect and some space for and I think generally with most folks, it's going to be like, I tried it, I was never really taught how and so I don't do it well and so I don't experience anything from it.

"And the hope of 'Rosary in a Year' is like, 'Okay, well, let's give this a shot and see if this works.'"

How the 'Rosary in a Year' Podcast is Impacting Prayer Lives

Since the "Rosary in a Year" podcast premiered a month ago, listeners who preferred to remain anonymous told ChurchPOP how the show impacts their prayer lives.

"Each day, there is some sort of message that affects me personally," one listener said. "I didn’t think I would be so impacted by what I am hearing but I am definitely moved by it. I look forward to what each day will bring. It is definitely touching my heart, which is exactly what I needed."

"This podcast surprised me in so many unexpected ways. Every day I feel like I am learning more, drawing closer to Jesus, and embracing the Blessed Mother more," another listener explained. "Father Mark-Mary is such a gift to us all. I wake up early before the family is up, grab my coffee, and click play. Truly a blessing."

Another listener added, "The podcast is so much more than simply the Rosary. It's a school of prayer!"

Do you pray the Rosary regularly?

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