Joe Rogan Dethroned as Faith-Centered Podcast Claims #1 Spot to Start the New Year
In a surprising start to the new year, Father Mark-Mary Ames of Ascension Press achieved a remarkable milestone when his podcast, “The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR),” soared to the number one spot on Apple Podcasts. The show held its top position for three consecutive days before dropping to a still-impressive second place on Jan. 4, surpassing even the immensely popular “The Joe Rogan Experience.”
Father Ames, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR), serves as the director of communications and director of Priestly Studies for the organization. The friars are dedicated to the “wholehearted embracing of Jesus Christ and their Holy Father, St. Francis of Assisi.” In addition to his podcasting success, Father Ames is the author of “Habits for Holiness” and is committed to serving the poor and spreading the faith.
Speaking at the SEEK25 DC conference, a four-day event featuring Catholic keynote speakers, music, Mass, and adoration, Father Ames discussed the motivation behind his work, the significance of the rosary and his reaction to the podcast’s unexpected success.
“I just try to be faithful to what’s before me,” he told Fox News Digital. “If God wants to make this thing number one, awesome.”
Father Ames’ journey into the priesthood began with inspiration from Mother Teresa, which led him to leave a life of privilege in Orange County, California.
“I heard that there’s a group of Franciscans in New York who are hardcore and sleep on the ground,” he said. “I read our constitutions — what we say we’re about — and I’m like, ‘If that’s true, that’s everything I’m looking for.’”
The priest’s podcast, produced by Ascension Press, is designed to make the rosary more accessible and meaningful to listeners. He described the rosary as “physical therapy for the soul,” explaining that it helps believers focus and deepen their connection with God.
“It took hundreds of years to be developed to get to what it is, as a perfect prayer,” he said. “It’s really good for our humanity. The content works the concentration muscle within. It’s really atrophied.”
Despite the podcast’s success, Father Ames remains humble, pointing out that “more beautiful” acts of service happen every day.
“There’s many, many people in my life who are doing things that are much more beautiful and much more moving than having a podcast hit number one,” he said.
“I’m very grateful for the podcast, its popularity, and it’s a source of grace for people and helping them pray. [But] it’s not the hardest thing I do. It’s not the most honorable thing I do.”
Father Ames also acknowledged the challenges of praying the rosary.
“The rosary can be confusing and even intimidating for some,” he said, emphasizing that even he struggles with maintaining focus. “A million percent,” he admitted. “This is my own journey because I want to do better and grow deeper.”
The priest’s reflections underscore the rosary’s transformative power and its role as a personalized devotional practice.
“It’s not actually a commandment, but you do have to go to Mass on Sunday,” he said. “Within the devotional are good, good things. Whether or not it’s a good thing for you, there’s actually some space for you to make that decision within it.”
Father Ames credits the rosary’s popularity to its timeless spiritual benefits.
“There seems to be some sort of special grace given by God to the Rosary where he wants to do some special work,” he said. “And the rosary is the thing that unlocks it. It opens the door to grace.”
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