(Day 2) continuing to prepare a gift for the Christ Child

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We now have several companions who will make the 33 Day journey with us! If you have your own copy of St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”, you may have begun reading it. If not, I encourage you to read from the online version HERE and ponder the Truth God has given to this saint for His Church.

Remember, what St. Louis wrote in paragraph 227 about these first 12 days of our journey:

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, as I have recommended in the first part of this preparation for the reign of Jesus Christ. They should then spend three weeks imbuing themselves with the spirit of Jesus through the most Blessed Virgin…

We perhaps have not thought much about “the spirit of the world” but it refers not to the beautiful world God has created but rather to that spirit which St. John the Apostle wrote about in his First Letter:

Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, the enticement of the eyes and a pretentious life is not of the Father but is of the world. Yet the world and its enticement is passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever. (1 Jn 2: 15-17).

By God’s Grace let us pray to the Holy Spirit through the intercession of our Mother Mary during this first period of 12 days. God willing I’ll continue to post each day, so if you’d like to add any comments and/or questions, I’ll do my best to help with answers and encouragement on our journey together.

 

[bastetsha]

Hello! I am using St. Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary that I have bought for my kindle on Amazon. Even though it is only day 2 of this, I am finding it eye opening and I am feeling a sense of peace when trying to empty myself of the spirit of the world. I am praying more and my anxiety is lessening. This is quite the journey. Thank you for your continued posting of each day of the consecration.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear bastetsha,

Thanks so much for sharing the graces God has given to you through St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to Mary”. You’ve given me yet another reason to thank God today.

As you continue, you may want to share particular quotes from the book which can encourage others. These 12 days are particularly important for us all to pray and discern, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of our Mother Mary: "what is this “spirit of the world?” It is important to recognize what we need to empty from ourselves.

By God’s Grace, let us pray in the peaceful presence of Our Lady who is the Mother and Model for the Church. I thank God you are finding that Peace of Christ which Mary can bring to us just as she brought Him to her cousin Elizabeth and Baby John the Baptist leaped in his mother’s womb!

The “spirit of the world” can engender anxiety but the Holy Spirit, just as He overshadowed Mary brings us also His Peace.

 

[bastetsha]

Thank you for so much! Such kind and thoughtful words. I noticed that the kindle version of St Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to Mary” has specific verses and passages per day to read while my physical copy of the book just has the chapters from the Gospel and the “Imitation of Christ” and no specific day. I prefer the day to day one as I don’t just read all at once and not absorb.

Today was Matthew 5:48 and 6:1-15 which includes the Our Father which is always good to reflect on at all times. I am also really enjoying the four prayers, especially Veni Creator Spiritus. I am trying to concentrate more on my prayers as that is something I need to work on as I get distracted very easily.

I hope you are having a Happy Thanksgiving today (if you are in the US) and God Bless!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear bastetsha,

Thanks so much for your reply. I have an old copy of “True Devotion” which I continue to use, as well as a newer one. Both have the the Preparation after the text and for a while I followed those but many people found it “too much” and I decided to restrict myself as well as my posts to simply what St. Louis wrote in his directions. He gives no specific readings or prayers for the first 12 days, although he does for the three weeks afterwards.

If you are following the day by day readings and find them helpful, do continue. Certainly the scripture from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, in Mt. 5:48 and 6: 1-15 are beautiful (as all God’s Holy Word is) and given to us that we may know and love His truth rather than be deceived by the spirit of the world.

Yes, my husband and I enjoyed a very “quiet” Thanksgiving Day, here in the USA. In the past we have been with family and friends – and those are happy memories, but this year we were by ourselves, and I had more time to pray and thank the Lord for everything! May the Lord bless you and yours, always.