Anyone planning to consecrate or reconsecrate themselves on Dec. 8?

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I’ve been meaning to post this, but kept running out of time – time seems to go like water through my fingers! St. Louis DeMontfort’s 33 Day Preparation began Nov. 5 with the preliminary 12 days ending yesterday. Today begins the first week in which we seek self-knowledge. St. De Montfort in describing his preparation, wrote in his treatise on “True Devotion” :

1. During the first week they should offer up all their prayers and acts of devotion to acquire knowledge of themselves and sorrow for their sins.

Let them perform all their actions in a spirit of humility. With this end in view they may, if they wish, meditate on what I have said concerning our corrupted nature, and consider themselves during six days of the week as nothing but sails, slugs, toads, swine, snakes and goats. Or else they may meditate on the following three considerations of St. Bernard: “Remember what you were - corrupted seed; what you are - a body destined for decay; what you will be -food for worms.”

They will ask our Lord and the Holy Spirit to enlighten them saying, “Lord, that I may see,” or “Lord, let me know myself,” or the “Come, Holy Spirit”. Every day they should say the Litany of the Holy Spirit, with the prayer that follows, as indicated in the first part of this work. They will turn to our Blessed Lady and beg her to obtain for them that great grace which is the foundation of all others, the grace of self-knowledge. For this intention they will say each day the Ave Maris Stella and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.

Some are put off by St. Louis’ language, but I think it is because most of us do not realize the vileness of sin. We often think too “highly” of ourselves, it seems to me. I’d be grateful to hear from anyone who may be preparing to consecrate or re-consecrate themselves on the Feast of Mary’s Immaculate Conception. Thanks.

 

[Nelka]

I’d be grateful to hear from anyone who may be preparing to consecrate or re-consecrate themselves on the Feast of Mary’s Immaculate Conception. Thanks.

How do we do this?

 

[MariaChristi]

How do we do this?

Dear Nelka,

Thanks so much for your reply and your question. So glad you asked! There are many ways one can consecrate oneself to Jesus through Mary, and persons have been doing this for centuries now. Many saints have helped us in the process of giving ourselves to God as they learned to do.

I can give you some links to learn more, but I would encourage you to read the most beautiful of all writings on this subject, in my opinion, and I am joined by St. John Paul II who said that reading the small book, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary by St. Louis De Montfort was a “turning point” in his life. His papal motto, “Totus Tuus” is taken directly from St. Louis and means “Totally Yours”.

The online version of this book is HERE

You can purchase an inexpensive paperback copy of this book HERE

St. John Paul II wrote that he read this little book more than once, and Servant of God Frank Duff said that he read the book at least 5 or 6 times before he realized the “truth” of it. Pray to the Holy Spirit and read what the saint has learned from the Holy Spirit about giving yourself completely to Jesus through Mary.

I prayed the words of the Consecration when I was about 15 years old and had not yet read the book by De Montfort. I learned about it through our Religion teacher at a Catholic High School. I will be eternally indebted to her. As an adult however I read and re-read and continue to re-read and learn more and more form this little gem of a book. It is steeped in scripture and the writings of other saints for St. Louis de Montfort was a careful writer as well as a loving and prayerful one.

Hopefully, you will begin to read this little book today and if you have questions, please post them. I’m happy to help you in any way I can.

 

[FaustinaJulia]

As a matter of fact, I am in my final days of preparation and I am using both “33 Days To Morning Glory” by Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, STL as well as the St. Louis de Montfort original version. (I’m disabled/retired and if I have the time do both!). Friday the 21st, which is the feast day for the Presentation of Mary, is my consecration date. So, soon, very soon!

 

[MariaChristi]

As a matter of fact, I am in my final days of preparation and I am using both “33 Days To Morning Glory” by Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, STL as well as the St. Louis de Montfort original version. (I’m disabled/retired and if I have the time do both!). Friday the 21st, which is the feast day for the Presentation of Mary, is my consecration date. So, soon, very soon!

Dear FaustinaJulia,

Wonderful! The Feast of Mary’s Presentation is a beautiful Feast on which to pray the prayer of Consecration and to give oneself totally to Jesus through Mary. I will be reconsecrating myself on that Feast. I like to renew my consecration on all the major Marian Feast Days, even when I do not have time to keep to the 33 Day Preparation as strictly as I might; i.e. praying the recommended prayers and striving to consciously follow the pattern outlined by St. Louis De Montfort.

As I mentioned elsewhere my first Act of Consecration was prayed on June 10. No particular Feast Day that I can remember at that time was chosen by the nun who encouraged us as High school sophomores to make this Act of Consecration to Mary. Now, so many years later as an adult I am awed by this great gift she enabled us to receive. I will be eternally grateful to her.

I do try to make the full 33 Day Preparation to renew my consecration on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25 - the feast which St. De Montfort wrote is the “mystery proper to this devotion” (paragraph 243). It is good also to use the short form of renewal often in praying, “Mary, my Queen and my Mother, I am all yours. Keep me; guard me as your property and possession.”

Thanks so much for your reply and for your love of Jesus and Mary!

 

[chopstocky]

I am currently working towards my consecration on Dec 8th. I am using the “33 Days” and “Preparation for Total Consecration” books simultaneously. It’s my first time doing this devotion as I only discovered it this summer.

 

[MariaChristi]

I am currently working towards my consecration on Dec 8th. I am using the “33 Days” and “Preparation for Total Consecration” books simultaneously. It’s my first time doing this devotion as I only discovered it this summer.

Wonderful! Thanks so much, chop stocky, for your desire to give yourself totally to Jesus and Mary. God willing, I will be renewing my own Consecration today, and on Dec. 8 as well. Both are such beautiful Feasts on which to honor God’s work in Mary and to open ourselves to the marvels of His Grace in us!

Please let us pray for one another, for the Church and for all those in most need of His Mercy.