Day 6 - on our journey to Total Consecration

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are now at the mid point of our preliminary 12 days of preparation, as St Louis de Montfort described in True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin:

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…
   Each time I’ve made this 33 Day journey, it has been “different” – not surprising, since no one is the “same” moment by moment. Hopefully we are continuing to grow in Grace even as we grow in age. These first few days, have been a particular blessing to me in appreciating the union especially of Mary and the Holy Spirit working in my life. I’m continuing to re-read de Montfort’s “True Devotion” and learning by God’s Grace, to understand more about the spirit of the world and the necessity of striving to rid myself of it:

43. If devotion to the Blessed Virgin is necessary for all men simply to work out their salvation, it is even more necessary for those who are called to a special perfection. I do not believe that anyone can acquire intimate union with our Lord and perfect fidelity to the Holy Spirit without a very close union with the most Blessed Virgin and an absolute dependence on her support.

Pondering also the Encyclical on the Holy Spirit by St. John Paul II (who also consecrated himself totally to Jesus through Mary) I realize how important God’s work of perfecting him was accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Mary. St. JPII’s Papal motto expresses his heart so well: “Totus Tuus” (All Yours) which was taken directly from de Montfort.