Protestant convert & Total Consecration to Mary

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Big question here:

I’m currently a Protestant undergoing the RCIA process to become a Catholic. and I love to read anything about, from or concerning the saints (especially the writings of the French mystics of the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries). So, I inevitably stumbled upon St. Louis-Marie de Montfort and his ‘Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary.’ What I was wondering is, what with myself still currently being a Protestant, at least in essence, and still being unable to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion or absolution of sins during Confession, how can I complete the vow? Should I wait until after the Easter Vigil? It’s really something I would love to do now, for a variety of personal reasons, but I can see the spiritual value of waiting it out, too. It just makes it sweeter when it finally does happen.

Thanks for any answers I can receive! =)
 
Don’t look to me for an official view. Others may be more versed.

My opinion is if you know and understand what this means and want to do this, proceed with the advice of a priest in the parish you are attending. The early Protestant figures had a believ and devotion to Mary.
 
Hi there, so glad you are crossing the Tiber!

It’s wonderful that you already love Our Blessed Mother so much. I think she must have specially chosen you like some saints do.

Total Consecration is a great thing to do, but to do it, especially the de Montfort way, is very consuming. The prayers are pretty long and there’s a lot to unpack.

Since right now your main focus is RCIA, I would suggest that you concentrate on RCIA until after the Easter Vigil. You can say a daily Rosary between now and then and ask Mary to pray for you and give you graces to bring you closer to God through her. You can also read and reflect on de Montfort’s book.

Then start your consecration after the Easter Vigil, as your next step. You can plan it to end on the next big Marian feast after Easter.

Remember also that once you do your consecration, you need to renew it each year, so this is a commitment to do the 33-day cycle, or at least the 9-day Maximilian Kolbe cycle (slightly different focus but still a consecration to Mary) each year. So like I said, big commitment.

Just my thoughts as one who has done consecration a couple years ago.
 
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33 Days to Morning Glory is also a good consecration to Our Lady by Fr. Gaitley. I don’t think it necessarily has all the requirements that only a Catholic could fulfill in the de Montfort consecration.

You can go as far as you are able to do in a Marian Consecration. It’s really up to you. Nothing wrong with having a very strong devotion or even a consecration to Mary and being not yet a Catholic.

You can certainly pray her Rosary daily and wear something like a scapular or miraculous Medal and have an icon of her at home with a candle nearby. Things like this. How pleased she is I’m certain when her rosary is devoutly said daily.
 
I just saw in my Parish bulletin that a group of more than 20 people recently completed this in my Parish!

Usually something like this is a “stumbling block” to Protestants converting. Often times non-Catholics and even some Catholics misunderstand Marian Devotions.
 
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I was just going by what OP said. I have not done the de Montfort consecration, but I’m aware it’s pretty in depth. I did the 33 Days to Morning Glory consecration by Fr. Gaitley. I really liked it.

If I can find some time I would really like to get back to reading True Devotion to Mary by de Montfort. I’ve read some of it. Really excellent. Edifying and inspiring.
 
Just wondering, because I made the de Montfort concecration last year, on my own. I don’t recall anything that would prevent the OP from doing it now, if he desires. It is time consuming, especially later on. But I was stubborn and persisted.
 
Canvas said:
Would that be the Feast of the Assumption, August 15?
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Easter 2019 is on April 21, so if you started the 33 days the very next day then Day 33 would be on May 24, which is the feast day of Mary Help of Christians and a solemnity for the Salesians of Don Bosco.

(I have a chart of all the possible Marian Feasts so I can consult it when I’m trying to do my 33-day or 9-day annual consecration renewals.)
 
monjilton said:
Big question here:

I’m currently a Protestant undergoing the RCIA process to become a Catholic. and I love to read anything about, from or concerning the saints (especially the writings of the French mystics of the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries). So, I inevitably stumbled upon St. Louis-Marie de Montfort and his ‘Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary.’ What I was wondering is, what with myself still currently being a Protestant, at least in essence, and still being unable to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion or absolution of sins during Confession, how can I complete the vow? Should I wait until after the Easter Vigil? It’s really something I would love to do now, for a variety of personal reasons, but I can see the spiritual value of waiting it out, too. It just makes it sweeter when it finally does happen.

Thanks for any answers I can receive! =)
Click to expand...
Prayers ascending for you during your Journey.

April 21 is Easter. Just 4 mos away till you officially become Catholic.

Since the consecration is a 33 Day process, and also one ends the consecration on a Marian feast day which is also part of the process, Why not consider starting this consecration right after Easter vigil?

here are Marian feast days, during the year. http://www.myconsecration.org/images/33_day_schedule_english.pdf
Note: the feast day occurs on the day the consecration ends.

Consider using this time as preparation to consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary, described by St Louis de Montfort.

Example (7 days after Easter)

Starting on April 28, + 33 days, = May 31 The Visitation feast day, AND completion of the consecration.

Just a suggestion.
 
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When I did my consecration last year, I timed it for the Annunciation on March 25th, not realizing that was going to be Palm Sunday–meaning the Feast of the Annunciation would be moved. No big, I just took a few days off and resumed back on schedule. It’s a private devotion anyway, between the devotee, our Blessed Mother and her Son.
 
Fr. Michael Gaitley has developed a very good and holy method of Total consecration to Mary as well as the Sacred Heart of Jesus by using the method of de Montfort and other saints. I did it a few years ago and my diocese runs it every year to the completion on December 8th with a Diocesan mass led by the Bishop. Check out these two wonderful books, it’s a few pages of reading, reflecting, and prayer each day. Not too intensive and very good! I actually met Fr. Gaitley a couple years ago, went to a mass and talk of his, he is great! Also got to talk with him briefly afterwards and he said a prayer over me and my family members and friends with me.

https://www.ignatius.com/33-Days-to-Merciful-Love-P2411.aspx

https://www.ignatius.com/33-Days-to-Morning-Glory-P2410.aspx
 
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For me, it was very personal, I didn’t even talk about it much; though I understand how others might benefit from a group consecration effort. I’m more the solitary, contemplative type. Probably very much in the minority. I could maybe be a diocesan hermit but, too many hoops to jump through.
 
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I’m a quiet type when it comes to spiritual matters, too. I totally understand.
 
With a lot of spiritual matters you will get differing answers here in CAF. If anything is concerning for you, I advise you to seek wise counsel from a priest or deacon. They are ordained and responsible for the care of souls. Glad to see you on your continued journey 😊
 
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