Does anyone wear little chains of iron?

[redrosetea]

My understanding is that their confessor told them not to do this.

But no matter. The point is, as I originally said in this thread, that excessive physical ascesis is not the best route to take.

You might be right…It is just not how I recall it…but I read so much that things sometimes all swirl together

 

[JS_Cortez]

Hello,
I will be making my 33 Day Consecration on January 1st. I am really excited and want it to be just as deep and spiritually beautiful as St Louis de Montfort describes. I take this life vow very seriously and I want to actually wear little chains of iron after reading how important they are in True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Is there any one out there who figured out how to do it? Go to Home Depot and get 6’’ of chain? But how to attach it? I’m planning on wearing it on my wrist. Any ideas are appreciated! Does anyone actually do this, if so please tell me how.
Leeray

You could always one of these Consecration Chain Bracelet for $4 from this Franciscan University Bookstore. The link is bookstore.franciscan.edu/ePOS/form=cat.html&cat=35&store=421 . I saw this suggestion on another similar thread.

 

[consecrated_one]

Hello,
I am on day 6 of my Consecration and I’ve already purchased a charm type bracelet. It’s not fancy and has only one heart shaped charm. I’m going to have Mary’s name engraved on one side and the date of my compete Consecration on the other. I will be identified with and bound to our Blessed Mother by “golden (actually silver) chains of Love”.

 

[bpbasilphx]

\Jesus Christ Himself wore chains… we are to follow in His footsteps. \

**Not williingly.

This means we should not willing wear chains either.**

 

[Shin]

\Jesus Christ Himself wore chains… we are to follow in His footsteps. \

**Not williingly.

This means we should not willing wear chains either.**

Everything that happened to Christ in His life was His will, and the Will of the One who sent Him.

 

[consecrated_one]

Good Point!

 

[Monica4316]

Hi Basil

I wanted to clarify something

the little chain is not a sign of penance and it’s not an instrument of corporal mortification (if it was, it wouldn’t be for everyone… cause we should only use these things under the guidance of a spiritual director)

it’s just a little bracelet that we can wear as a reminder that we belong to Mary

St Louis de Montfort wrote a book called “True Devotion” upon which this devotion is based. It’s about totally consecrating yourself to Jesus through Mary. It’s imho one of the most beautiful and holy devotions in the Church.

He calls this “the holy slavery of love”

but this is entirely Biblical, because this slavery is free and voluntary, and doesnt contradict us being His friends

if your’e doubting, look here, St Paul describes himself as Christ’s slave!

*Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus *
Romans 1:1

in the language, they didn’t have a word for "servant"
only “slave”

St Louis explains why he chose this word… it shows the type of relationship with Our Lord where we don’t ask for anything in return, and belong entirely to Him

it’s a relationship of love

God bless

 

[GracieLacie333]

The only chains we need to connect us to the Theotokos are the Prayer Rule of the Mother of God (as St. Pachomius and St. Seraphim called the Rosary), the beautiful Akathist, and other devotions based on the liturgical prayer of the Church.

bpbasilphx, whether you find this devotion to be personally beneficial or not, you really should not put down others’ ways of devotion. St. Louis deMontfort’s total consecration to Mary has been approved by the Church, so there is nothing wrong with its practice unless it is done for vain glory. To criticize it as a whole or to try to convince others not to practice it is ultimately trying to convince others not to come closer to God. There are many routes to God, many beautiful devotions in the Church. Many, many saints have used exterior practices to remind them of their interior devotions. God uses many physical things to remind us of Him and reveal Himself to Him, and who is to say that He may not use these things to draw His children close? Instead of trying to persuade others from a good and holy devotion approved by the Church, celebrate the large diversity the Church has in available devotions. You are spending your energy fighting God’s callings instead of lifting them up.

 

[Like]

bpbasilphx, whether you find this devotion to be personally beneficial or not, you really should not put down others’ ways of devotion. St. Louis deMontfort’s total consecration to Mary has been approved by the Church, so there is nothing wrong with its practice unless it is done for vain glory. To criticize it as a whole or to try to convince others not to practice it is ultimately trying to convince others not to come closer to God. There are many routes to God, many beautiful devotions in the Church. Many, many saints have used exterior practices to remind them of their interior devotions. God uses many physical things to remind us of Him and reveal Himself to Him, and who is to say that He may not use these things to draw His children close? Instead of trying to persuade others from a good and holy devotion approved by the Church, celebrate the large diversity the Church has in available devotions. You are spending your energy fighting God’s callings instead of lifting them up.

Hi Gracie,
bpbasilphx has not been a member for several months now. However I like your post.
Thanks

 

[myangelmarc]

Before I made my consecration back in 1992 I bought a small-link silver bracelet. I asked Fr. Kennedy to bless it for me after the ceremony telling him this was my external sign of being a slave to Our Lady and have worn it ever since. Nothing fancy, nothing to draw attention to myself. And when people comment on it I just silently tell Mary how much I love her as only I know the true meaning of this bracelet. Hope this helps.