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wisemenpray
Guest
If you “absolutely” have no problem with a Marian devotion, then why do you get 
when they take it to the extreme?
when they take it to the extreme?
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godisgood77
Guest
Yes! It should be
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fin
Guest
I have done the deMontfort consecration years ago.
Prior to making it, here were some of my considerations:
Back to the present day, post Consecration.
I still pray for myself and others.
I still do fun stuff, wear nice clothes, vacations, etc. And yes, I am aware of carrying our crosses and offering them up for various intentions., doing voluntary penances.
Prior to making it, here were some of my considerations:
- Does this mean I can no longer pray for my intentions or for others? It was concerning for me, because I have a lot, including at present.
- Can I still do shallow and fun stuff, like watching tv, wearing beautiful clothes, going on leisure vacations, eat delicious food?
Back to the present day, post Consecration.
I still pray for myself and others.
I still do fun stuff, wear nice clothes, vacations, etc. And yes, I am aware of carrying our crosses and offering them up for various intentions., doing voluntary penances.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
This was also my biggest worry with it, as I was trying to explain to the person on the other thread.
I chose to take on praying for others, particularly the deceased, as my special “thing” because I felt called to do it after my mother died, and it’s something I can do, whereas I am not in a good position to be doing a lot of other ministry things that would expect me to show up at the same place on a regular schedule. I wanted to be consecrated to Mary but didn’t want to lose the ability to do that.
But I found after I did the consecration that it was very easy to continue. In fact I wondered why I hesitated for so many months about it. I figure I just wasn’t far enough along in grace to understand until after I did it.
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fin
Guest
Thanks for sharing. Yes, praying for the holy souls has also been a part of my prayer life ever since reading a booklet on this topic. Praying for deceased ancestors and relatives too, especially since some of them weren’t Christian, and for those who were, probably weren’t practicing.
The part about praying for myself was also a concern for me…because if I didn’t pray for my intentions, who on earth [literally, like the Church Militant, the Church here on earth] will? My family members are nominal Catholics. That is why I submit prayer intentions here on Caf, so at least there would be people who would pray for me. And I need a lot of prayers.
So I hope I’m doing it correctly… It is okay to still pray for myself, is that correct?
The part about praying for myself was also a concern for me…because if I didn’t pray for my intentions, who on earth [literally, like the Church Militant, the Church here on earth] will? My family members are nominal Catholics. That is why I submit prayer intentions here on Caf, so at least there would be people who would pray for me. And I need a lot of prayers.
So I hope I’m doing it correctly… It is okay to still pray for myself, is that correct?
Tis_Bearself
Patron
I’m sure it’s fine to pray for oneself. Believe me, I do it every day, especially since my husband passed. About every 3 hours it’s Help me Jesus this and Help me Mother Mary that and Help me St. Therese the other thing. I don’t take indulgences for myself (I do take the Divine Mercy special forgiveness from Jesus since I don’t think one can give that away) but I do ask for help all day every day, because I need it to stay sane.
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BoomBoomMancini
Guest
…because something taken to an extreme can go from good to bad? Really not that hard to understand. I have absolutely no problem with people eating food, but I recognize there is a point at which it becomes gluttony.
If you want to be pedantic, read “an appropriate amount” into it.
If you want to be pedantic, read “an appropriate amount” into it.
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on_the_hill
Guest
This is not meant to derail.
I have a very serious question.
How is Consecration to Mary different from praying to, or worship of Mary? I’m not very familiar with this particular devotion, and what I’m reading in this thread seems to skirt very close to what Protestants would accuse us Catholics of doing. I’m troubled.
It’s easy to reply, “We don’t pray to Mary to worship her. Our prayers ask her to be our advocate before God,” when we’re accused of Mary-worship.
However, the Consecration is something seems to go a few steps beyond asking for her intercession. People are stating that Mary will provide protection and such–as if she herself wields powers that belong to God.
I have a very serious question.
How is Consecration to Mary different from praying to, or worship of Mary? I’m not very familiar with this particular devotion, and what I’m reading in this thread seems to skirt very close to what Protestants would accuse us Catholics of doing. I’m troubled.
It’s easy to reply, “We don’t pray to Mary to worship her. Our prayers ask her to be our advocate before God,” when we’re accused of Mary-worship.
However, the Consecration is something seems to go a few steps beyond asking for her intercession. People are stating that Mary will provide protection and such–as if she herself wields powers that belong to God.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
Mary’s protection or whatever she provides ALWAYS comes from God. It’s the same as the saints and angels. We pray in the St. Michael prayer, “Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.” If we can make this prayer - which came from a Pope - to an angel, who is below Mary as she is Queen of the Angels, then of course we can also ask Mary to protect us, spread her mantle over us etc. We do this in normal prayer all the time, not just in the Consecration. It’s understood that Mary protects us as her children, since Jesus gave her to us to be Our Mother. Nothing at all odd about asking Mary to protect us, whether we are consecrated to her or not.
The Sub Tuum Praesidium prayer reads in pertinent part
As described in the thread, Consecration to Mary means dedicating yourself to her,“totus tuus” as Saint Pope John Paul II (who consecrated himself to Mary) did. Obviously if a Saint and a Pope is doing this activity, and Popes are approving it, then there is nothing wrong with doing it. Saint Louis de Montfort and Saint Maximilian Kolbe, the primary promoters of Consecration to Mary, are also both great saints. Total Consecration to Mary is seen as a way to become closer to Jesus through giving yourself to His Mother, who is also Our Mother.
It’s a personal choice as to whether someone wants to do this devotion or not. There are other consecrations you can choose to do, such as consecrating yourself to the Sacred Heart, or to the Holy Angels. All of these devotions have the ultimate goal of growing in faith and being closer to God. None of them are the least bit odd or out of line, to me.
The Sub Tuum Praesidium prayer reads in pertinent part
The Memorare, a very, very old Marian prayer, reads in pertinent part
It is an established, long standing tradition, as shown by these prayers, that we ask Mary to protect us.
As described in the thread, Consecration to Mary means dedicating yourself to her,“totus tuus” as Saint Pope John Paul II (who consecrated himself to Mary) did. Obviously if a Saint and a Pope is doing this activity, and Popes are approving it, then there is nothing wrong with doing it. Saint Louis de Montfort and Saint Maximilian Kolbe, the primary promoters of Consecration to Mary, are also both great saints. Total Consecration to Mary is seen as a way to become closer to Jesus through giving yourself to His Mother, who is also Our Mother.
It’s a personal choice as to whether someone wants to do this devotion or not. There are other consecrations you can choose to do, such as consecrating yourself to the Sacred Heart, or to the Holy Angels. All of these devotions have the ultimate goal of growing in faith and being closer to God. None of them are the least bit odd or out of line, to me.
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Tis_Bearself
Patron
I would really advise you to follow what the Popes say and ignore whatever Protestants are going on about. Many of them lack any understanding of Marian devotion anyway.
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on_the_hill
Guest
It seems I don’t have much understanding of it, either.on_the_hill:
I would really advise you to follow what the Popes say and ignore whatever Protestants are going on about. Many of them lack any understanding of Marian devotion anyway.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
There are quite a few Catholic websites that promote it, if you need to read and research it more. The Roman Catholic Man blog, the website Myconsecration.org , and the website totalconsecration.newevangelizers.com all have quite a bit of discussion about it.
Also lots of other articles on Catholic blogs or in the Catholic press about it.
However, if it’s not something you want to do yourself, you may not wish to spend the time and instead just pursue another devotion.
Even if you don’t choose to do this yourself (which is fine), it’s important to note that we are clearly NOT “worshipping Mary” or any of the things Protestants like to accuse us of doing. Saint Pope John Paul II and other Popes do not promote “Mary worship” as such a practice would be contrary to Church teaching. Nor do those of us who consecrate ourselves practice “Mary worship”. For me, total consecration was simply a natural extension of the devotion I already have had to Mary since childhood.
MariaChristi on this forum has also made many, many threads about her own Total Consecration. She renews it every year (you’re supposed to do this) and posts daily reflections in Spirituality. Her threads are also a good place to learn more about Total Consecration and other aspects of Marian devotion.
Also lots of other articles on Catholic blogs or in the Catholic press about it.
However, if it’s not something you want to do yourself, you may not wish to spend the time and instead just pursue another devotion.
Even if you don’t choose to do this yourself (which is fine), it’s important to note that we are clearly NOT “worshipping Mary” or any of the things Protestants like to accuse us of doing. Saint Pope John Paul II and other Popes do not promote “Mary worship” as such a practice would be contrary to Church teaching. Nor do those of us who consecrate ourselves practice “Mary worship”. For me, total consecration was simply a natural extension of the devotion I already have had to Mary since childhood.
MariaChristi on this forum has also made many, many threads about her own Total Consecration. She renews it every year (you’re supposed to do this) and posts daily reflections in Spirituality. Her threads are also a good place to learn more about Total Consecration and other aspects of Marian devotion.
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brit_2911
Guest
Sorry, but I have to be frank with you. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work for you. It’s the truth, you just have to choose whether you accept the truth or your own truth.
Also, if you are okay with having a strong love for Mary through other devotions, it doesn’t make any sense for you to not be okay with Marian consecration. Like they said, it’s consecration to Jesus, through Mary.
Just being honest here with you, friend.
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Casilda
Guest
What a wonderful thread! Thanks to all for the links and explanations.
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angel12
Guest
No, you are saying that everyone has to have the same expression of Marian devotion that you have.
The Church doesn’t say that. I choose to follow the Church, not you.
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brit_2911
Guest
That’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m only saying you present a double standard, and I do not mean that rudely in saying so.
I am not looking to attack you in saying these things, I am pointing out the flaws in your argument. You say you choose to follow the Church, not me. Great, and I think you should most certainly do that. However, you appear to be lacking in trust of the Church’s support for Marian consecration. I’m sorry, but that is not fluent.
It is inconsistent for you to trust the Church, yet say that “doesn’t work for you.” It is inconsistent for you to be strongly devoted to Mary, yet have problems with consecration through Mary. I’m not asking you to follow me. All I’m saying is that you are contradicting yourself if you are presenting full trust in the Church, and strong love for Mary.
Again, not trying to attack you. Not trying to be a troll. I’m merely bringing you awareness of your inconsistencies. That is something you should take to heart, and pray about. This is how we lose sight of what the Church is trying to tell us.
Blessings
I am not looking to attack you in saying these things, I am pointing out the flaws in your argument. You say you choose to follow the Church, not me. Great, and I think you should most certainly do that. However, you appear to be lacking in trust of the Church’s support for Marian consecration. I’m sorry, but that is not fluent.
It is inconsistent for you to trust the Church, yet say that “doesn’t work for you.” It is inconsistent for you to be strongly devoted to Mary, yet have problems with consecration through Mary. I’m not asking you to follow me. All I’m saying is that you are contradicting yourself if you are presenting full trust in the Church, and strong love for Mary.
Again, not trying to attack you. Not trying to be a troll. I’m merely bringing you awareness of your inconsistencies. That is something you should take to heart, and pray about. This is how we lose sight of what the Church is trying to tell us.
Blessings
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angel12
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There’s no double standard in choosing the devotions that are right for you.
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AugustTherese
Guest
That is not what she said. To say that the Devil fears Mary more than God is not saying, “[T]hat everyone has to have the same expression of Marian devotion” that she has. You’re simply projecting, no offense.
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AugustTherese
Guest
It is both. Exegesis.
“I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.”
Genesis 3:15 DRA
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brit_2911
Guest
I think you are missing something big here.
The devil does not fear the Lord appropriately because he has distorted himself through evil. It is perfectly understandable he would fear a woman more than the Lord because Satan is imperfect and fallen.
Think of those who have disorders that cause them to fear things they shouldn’t be fearful of (I do not intend to offend them, I’m just making a connection for the sake of analogy). It’s like that, but obviously more severe and spiritual. It’s a part of his fall. It’s like a disordered fear.
The devil does not fear the Lord appropriately because he has distorted himself through evil. It is perfectly understandable he would fear a woman more than the Lord because Satan is imperfect and fallen.
Think of those who have disorders that cause them to fear things they shouldn’t be fearful of (I do not intend to offend them, I’m just making a connection for the sake of analogy). It’s like that, but obviously more severe and spiritual. It’s a part of his fall. It’s like a disordered fear.
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