By God's grace, getting set for 33 Day Journey!

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

There are 7 persons (I know of) beginning , Feb. 20, the 33 Day Journey of Preparation, either to renew or to Consecrate themselves totally to Jesus through Mary as described by St. Louis de Montfort in his treatise on [True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.] (https://www.ewtn.com/library/Montfort/TRUEDEVO.HTM) Praying the Act of Consecration on the Feast of the Annunciation, Mar. 25.

Today I’d like to post the “program” St. Louis wrote for these 33 Days of preparation. Since I’ll be repeating these paragraphs along the way, and you can read them online as they are given in Chapter 7, today I’ve shortened them due to CAF’s word limit for posts:

1. Those who desire to take up this special devotion…should spend at least twelve days in emptying themselves of the spirit of the world, which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus, … They should then spend three weeks imbuing themselves with the spirit of Jesus through the most Blessed Virgin. Here is a program they might follow:
2. 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…

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…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.

1. Each day of the second week they should endeavour in all their prayers and works to acquire an understanding of the Blessed Virgin and ask the Holy Spirit for this grace. They may read and meditate upon what we have already said about her. They should recite daily the Litany of the Holy Spirit and the Ave Maris Stella as during the first week. In addition they will say at least five decades of the Rosary for greater understanding of Mary.
2. During the third week they should seek to understand Jesus Christ better. They may read and meditate on what we have already said about him. They may say the prayer of St. Augustine which they will find at the beginning of the second part of this book. Again with St. Augustine, they may pray repeatedly, “Lord, that I may know you,” or “Lord, that I may see.” As during the previous week, they should recite the Litany of the Holy Spirit and the Ave Maris Stella, adding every day the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus.
3. At the end of these three weeks they should go to confession and Holy Communion with the intention of consecrating themselves to Jesus through Mary …

Please feel free to ask questions, anytime, and by God’s Grace, I’ll do my best to help. Please let us pray for one another and for the Church. It is providential for us to begin the day before the Pope and Bishops’ meeting in Rome on the Abuse Scandal.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear CradleRC and Francis,

Thanks for your “hearts” indicating that you liked the post. I wondered if you were also going to begin tomorrow, Feb. 20 – the 33 Day Preparation for Consecrating yourselves totally to Jesus through Mary. I heard from one more person on CAF who will be making the journey so our number is now at 8 (that I know of).

Some persons may choose to begin in a hidden way, and that is fine too. I was thinking also of the Saints and our Guardian Angels who will be close to us on the journey too. Most of all, I thank God for this opportunity to ask for His grace to grow in holiness that we may be more in union with Him than we have ever been before, through Mary our Mother. May He be glorified; may His Name be hallowed, His Kingdom Come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven… through Mary our Mother!

“O Jesus living in Mary, come and live in your servants, in the spirit of holiness, in the fullness of your power, in the perfection of your ways, in the truth of your virtues, in the communion of your mysteries. Rule over every adverse power, in your Spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.” – Prayer of Fr. Olier

 

[Athrunzala]

I’m going in!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Athrunzala,

GREAT! Our number has climbed to a possible 12 on the journey - Nice Number!

Do you have a copy of “True Devotion” by St. Louis de Montfort? If not you can read from the online version HERE

Have you ever made this 33 Day Journey before now? As I’ve shared many previously, each time I make this journey I learn more and am so grateful for all God has given and gives us through Mary.

St. Louis de Montfort was given many graces to be able to write this beautiful treatise on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”. It is a great gift to the Church. In his Introduction, to this little treatise he wrote:

1. My heart has dictated with special joy all that I have written to show that Mary has been unknown up till now, and that that is one of the reasons why Jesus Christ is not known as he should be.

If then, as is certain, the knowledge and the kingdom of Jesus Christ must come into the world, it can only be as a necessary consequence of the knowledge and reign of Mary. She who first gave him to the world will establish his kingdom in the world.

Please let us pray for one another and for all who will make this journey. Let us also pray especially for the Church as the Pope and Bishops meet in Rome Feb. 21 -24. These are difficult times, and Prayer is so important! Thanks again for your willingness to be “going in”!