WHAT EXACTLY DOES “CONSECRATE” MEAN?
When something or someone is said to be consecrated, this means it is set apart by God for his exclusive use; it becomes holy. The word comes from the Latin consecrare: con-together + secrare-sacred.
We were all consecrated at Baptism when the priest poured holy water on our heads and baptized us “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” That is, we were “set apart” for the Holy Trinity. We are changed forever and pledged to the exclusive service of God, by God.
However, baptismal consecration represents only the germ of consecration. God has chosen us to a lifetime of Christian holiness, and “his call is irrevocable” (Rom 11:29). But God does not do anything in us or to us without our cooperation. We must continually give ourselves to God, to ask for, and to seek holiness on a daily basis, until it becomes a natural habit that lasts a lifetime.
WHY SHOULD WE CONSECRATE OURSELVES TO MARY?
God willed that Mary would have a special role in our Christian life when he gave her to us as our spiritual mother at the foot of the Cross (In 19:27). It is a universal role assigned to her by God: All Christians of every age are to “take her into his home”-into our hearts, minds and every aspect of our lives. This is why we pray to her and through her, asking for her assistance.
In perfect union with her Son and subordinate to him, Mary is called by the Second Vatican Council “our mother in the order of grace” (Lumen Gentium, no. 61). Mary became the prototype of total consecration when, at the beginning of the New Testament, she said “yes” to becoming the Mother of God (Lk 1 :37). She was chosen to help us in our consecration through her maternal intercession as Mediatrix of All Graces, thus disposing us to develop the gifts of God that we received in Baptism. As such, Mary will enlighten your mind, guide your will, empower your efforts and intercede for you in a special way before the throne of the Father.
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DOES MARIAN CONSECRATION TAKE AWAY FROM MY RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS?**
On the contrary, consecration to Mary heightens the depth of our commitment to Christ. It is a way to express explicitly that our ultimate goal and end is GOD.
St. Maximilian Kolbe made it very clear that Marian consecration does not stop at Mary: “In reality, we are entirely, completely and exclusively consecrated to the Immaculata; in her and through her entirely, completely and exclusively to the Lord Jesus; in him, finally and through him entirely, completely and exclusively to our Father in heaven.” And also, “Devotion to Mary is a direct means to this end. We pass with Mary to the Other.”
By consecrating ourselves to Mary, she will always point us to the heart of Jesus, for “her will is so perfect that in nothing does it differ from God’s.” Marian consecration thus becomes the ideal way to fulfill our baptismal promises, which we renewed at our Confirmation. St. Maximilian Kolbe summarized our Christian mission in the beautiful expression: “To win the world for the Immaculata, and as soon as possible.”
As Vatican II teaches, calling upon Mary’s intercession “does nor hinder in any way the immediate union of the faithful with Christ, but on the contrary fosters it.” (Lumen Gentium, no. 60). catholicexchange.com/en/ave_maria_meditations