Have a problem with Consecration to Mary

[BRZ]

Today is March 25th which is supposed to be the day of the Annunciation. Today was the last day of my Consecration and I went to the church after work and there was no mass! I am in a foreign country, not the US, so it may be that they do not have a mass for the Annunciation. The instructions told me to go to the mass and receive communion in the way described by Montfort. Unfortunately I could not receive communion. I did go in front of the Tabernacle and read the prayer and sign the paper as per the instructions. What should I do in this situation?

 

[NotWorthy]

Today is March 25th which is supposed to be the day of the Annunciation. Today was the last day of my Consecration and I went to the church after work and there was no mass! I am in a foreign country, not the US, so it may be that they do not have a mass for the Annunciation. The instructions told me to go to the mass and receive communion in the way described by Montfort. Unfortunately I could not receive communion. I did go in front of the Tabernacle and read the prayer and sign the paper as per the instructions. What should I do in this situation?

Although I’m no expert on this, I’d be willing to bet money that you have fulfilled your obligation as long as you attend a Mass at your first opportunity (Even though its not a Mass dedicated primarily to the Marian Consecration).

 

[fmagill]

I had a similar problem when I went through the Montfort Consecration at this time last year. I had planned to finish the process on the feast day, but a problem arose at work that day and I was unable to get away to go to confession and attend Mass. I spoke with the pastor at the church where I had been doing most of my preparatory activities (he’s an OMI priest, who went through the Consecration himself many years ago, and he helped to guide me through it all.) He said not to worry, just to finish the process as soon as I was able. That turned out to be the next day.

He pointed out that today’s Solemnity is not a Holy Day of Obligation for U.S. Catholics (although many of us think it should be, but that’s another issue!), and since the Consecration is a private devotion, there is no Church law requiring it be done at any particular time. We are not even really obligated to do everything in St. Louis de Montfort’s book, though we should do the best we can in honor of Jesus and Mary (at all times, of course). So long as you feel you have the proper intentions and have faithfully prepared yourself for such a solemn occasion, you’ll be fine, and our Lord and Lady will gladly accept your self-offering.

So, welcome to the “club”, so to speak!! You will find it very rewarding, I am sure.

 

[Pray4Life]

The de Montfort formula for consecration renews the baptismal vows you’ve already made. It does not constitute a new set of vows, nor is it a Sacrament of any kind. If it is not done “by the book,” it is not all that relevant. What is important is the intention of your heart. It would have been ideal to receive Communion as instructed by St. Louis de Monfort, but if you could not, just receive your next Communion for this intention. Don’t worry about it. Peace and God’s blessing to you & congratulations on this special occasion.

 

[diggerdomer]

Today is March 25th which is supposed to be the day of the Annunciation. Today was the last day of my Consecration and I went to the church after work and there was no mass! I am in a foreign country, not the US, so it may be that they do not have a mass for the Annunciation. The instructions told me to go to the mass and receive communion in the way described by Montfort. Unfortunately I could not receive communion. I did go in front of the Tabernacle and read the prayer and sign the paper as per the instructions. What should I do in this situation?

Well, it’s after work, as you say, so I would suggest either going home and eating, or exercising, or napping, or getting together with friends. What do you normally do after work?

 

[BRZ]

Eh? Well that isn’t exactly helpful, do you even know what the discussion was about? Anyway, I got my answer, thanks for all the help.

 

[diggerdomer]

Eh? Well that isn’t exactly helpful, do you even know what the discussion was about? Anyway, I got my answer, thanks for all the help.

Sorry if my response was not helpful. I only know what the discussion was about from what the original posting was.

I was limited in my ability to help because I’ve never heard of a consecration to Mary, I have no idea what instructions you’re referring to, I have no idea what you’re referring to by “reading the prayer” and “signing the paper” per “the instructions.”

You could help those of us reading to respond by clarifying what you mean by:

what consecration to Mary?

What instructions?

What prayer?

What paper?

I don’t mean to be obtuse but I’m a practicing cradle Catholic for 45+ years and I have no idea what you’re referring to. I apologize if I should have been able to intuit more from the original post but was unable to.

 

[BRZ]

Then you shouldn’t post if you don’t know about the topic. My question was already answered. Also, if you don’t know about The Consecration to Mary then you are lacking my friend. Please google Montforts Total Consecration to Mary.

 

[NotWorthy]

Sorry if my response was not helpful. I only know what the discussion was about from what the original posting was.

I was limited in my ability to help because I’ve never heard of a consecration to Mary, I have no idea what instructions you’re referring to, I have no idea what you’re referring to by “reading the prayer” and “signing the paper” per “the instructions.”

You could help those of us reading to respond by clarifying what you mean by:

what consecration to Mary?

What instructions?

What prayer?

What paper?

I don’t mean to be obtuse but I’m a practicing cradle Catholic for 45+ years and I have no idea what you’re referring to. I apologize if I should have been able to intuit more from the original post but was unable to.

The Consecration is a wonderful tradition of the Church which has the petitioner asking Mary to further lead one to Christ. It’s a devotional that occurs over the span of several days. If you’re familiar with the Novena, than you already have a grasp on the concept.

What our OP came accross, was that the last day of the Consecration you are supposed to go to Mass and offer up a few prayers (according to the instructions of the Consecrations to Mary. But it was hard for him to fulfill his obligation because there was no Mass that day at the Church he attended. So he was worried if this would nullify all the previous days of prayer and petitions.

BTW, despite the words of BRZ, don’t feel like an idiot if you are unfamiliar with this prayer. I’m a cradle Catholic of 45 years and have always been active in my parish(es). Yet I only came across the Consecration to Mary 3 years ago and only because a devotee of Mary asked me if I’d like to participate.

But BRZ is correct in that you can find numerous web sites that will help you if you wish to participate.

 

[BRZ]

Sorry, I did not mean to sound rude. I just get annoyed when people post in a thread when they don’t know what it is the thread is about. I also did not mean to sound rude when I said he was lacking, I meant that he is lacking in the sense that it is a shame he doesn’t know what it is. I guess my wording was poor. Forgive me.