Question about True Devotion to Mary

[Monica4316]

I think maybe what some are struggling with is the whole idea that we can give ourselves to Jesus through any other person at all, and that this could be considered more perfect. I think maybe this consideration might be helpful, though I’m not sure:

When we give ourselves to Jesus, that is by the Holy Spirit. But it’s still us who are offering ourselves freely, as a choice. God’s part is perfect… but ours is not! Our offering here, from our perspective, (not God’s) is imperfect. So while the inspiration from the Holy Spirit, and His power that makes this possible, is flawless, when a person gives themselves freely, they can do so more or less perfectly. So for example, if a person gives themselves conditionally: that is less perfect, than unconditionally. But maybe the point here is that anything we do in this, it would be accepted by God, but it woudln’t be so perfect as how Mary can give us to Jesus… Since she is full of grace, His Mother, sinless and perfect in Heaven, she can give us to Him so much better I hope that maybe helps anyone who’s wondering about this devotion…

also, since she is His Mother, she is involved

This book is very helpful with True Devotion, it’s written in a modern style and talks about St Louis de Montfort, St Maximilian Kolbe, Bl. Mother Teresa, and Bl. Pope John Paul II. maybe if someone is looking for more info, might be interested in this book… it’s really good. secure.marianweb.net/giftshop/product.php?DID=101&PID=07170081

God bless!

 

[anrmenchaca47]

Mary does help a lot in our spiritual growth. Biblically, Mary is the Mother of God (since Jesus is God and His two natures can’t be separated) and our Mother… there are certain theological implications of that, shown by Catholic teaching about Mary being our intercessor. As for Mediatrix, it doesn’t mean that Mary is a separate mediator for our salvation with the Father - this is Jesus. Mary’s mediation is subordinate and secondary, and within His mediation, and it’s a mediation of intercession. It’s different.

Some links that could help

piercedhearts.org/mother_adela/spiritual_maternity_mary.htm
piercedhearts.org/hearts_jesus_mary/heart_mary/mary_mediatrix_kolbe.htm

Going through Mary does not make going to Jesus any less direct. If it contradicted what Jesus said, I’m sure that the Church would have not approved it. If it seems to contradict, that means that we are probably understanding it in an incorrect way…

Jesus said that He is the way. And He is! We are not saying that we come to the Father through Mary and NOT through Jesus. Now this would be wrong to say and contradictory. We come to Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, with the help of Mary, because she gave birth to Him, - if she had not said yes… He would not have been born of her. She said yes to God’s will and so we were redeemed by Jesus. She’s clearly linked to our redemption.

Jesus also said that we go to the Father through no one but Him. Again, it’s not being said anywhere that we go through Mary to the Father and not through Jesus. We go to the Father through the Son, Jesus. But we go to Jesus with the help of Mary, who is the Spouse of the Holy Spirit… the Holy Spirit is involved in us coming to Jesus and the Father and it’s by His power that Mary has this role too, and that we are redeemed.

I think this reminds me of something in the book True Devotion, St Louis de Montfort says that we dont’ need to always constantly invoke Mary but simply have an internal intention, and of course when we consecrate ourselves to her, we consecrate all our future actions/prayers/etc too thanks for sharing this!

If I may add something…Let us not forget the first miracle…at the Wedding in Cana…When the wine ran out, who interceded for the servers? Mary…She asked Jesus to do something for her and Jesus, like the loving and respectful son he was, listened…Mary knew this and before Jesus said yes…she went to the servers and said “do as he says”

Not only that, but who else on earth was closest to Jesus? Mary…We are not replacing Jesus with Mary…on the contrary, by total consecration TO Mary, she shows us Jesus in the most intimate way as mother of our Reedemer. In the same manner, Mary’s intercession at the Wedding was the doorway for the disciples’ belief in Christ, total consecration to her would be the same doorway. She practically says, “I will show my son who IS the Way, the Truth and the Light who will lead you to God…” Mary is that gateway to Christ who then shows us God. None of this negates the Gospel Jesus teaches.

 

[Monica4316]

If I may add something…Let us not forget the first miracle…at the Wedding in Cana…When the wine ran out, who interceded for the servers? Mary…She asked Jesus to do something for her and Jesus, like the loving and respectful son he was, listened…Mary knew this and before Jesus said yes…she went to the servers and said “do as he says”

Not only that, but who else on earth was closest to Jesus? Mary…We are not replacing Jesus with Mary…on the contrary, by total consecration TO Mary, she shows us Jesus in the most intimate way as mother of our Reedemer. In the same manner, Mary’s intercession at the Wedding was the doorway for the disciples’ belief in Christ, total consecration to her would be the same doorway. She practically says, “I will show my son who IS the Way, the Truth and the Light who will lead you to God…” Mary is that gateway to Christ who then shows us God. None of this negates the Gospel Jesus teaches.

That’s a great point! we are not replacing Jesus with Mary… and our relationship with Jesus does not become distant in any way, quite the opposite.

I think maybe what people might be struggling with is the whole idea that we are closer to Jesus when there’s another person involved… as if He were not enough. I would say that He is enough, but the issue is something else… it’s more with us. If a person were to give themselves to Jesus without mentioning Mary at all… that would still be accepted by Him, and He would work in their life and give them graces, and they would grow, and belong to Him. And it would all be by the power of the Holy Spirit, because we need grace to do this at all we can’t do it without grace. In this way, there are many people who belong to Jesus and are His but they might not even pray to Mary at all. She’s still praying for them though. The question then becomes: why have this Consecration, if the other works? How can it possibly be any improvement, since Jesus is enough, and perfect? Maybe someone here has a good answer to that…

My perspective is just that - Jesus is perfect, and we are not. After consecrating ourselves to Jesus, He works in our lives but we have so many flaws, attachments, pride, etc… all that must be purified. The purification can be difficult, long, painful… we can get there… but it would be hard for us. It’s Jesus who would be doing the work in us, bringing us graces, etc, - but we have to cooperate, and *this cooperation *is so hard especially at first… I’m not saying that this consecration to Jesus without mentioning Mary, is not effective. God still uses it. But with Mary, with this consecration to her, the cooperation part is easier. It’s an easier, shorter road. I don’t quite yet understand why that is… Maybe it’s the prayers that she obtains. Maybe it’s because someone needs to be doing the giving part… God doesn’t take from us, we need to cooperate with Him and give. If we do this part, it happens by grace but we can do it more or less perfectly. But with Mary, we give ourselves to her during the consecration prayer so SHE now does the part of giving us to God now and forever we no longer do this ourselves. And this is like a continual thing, it happens during the Consecration, but it lasts forever. It’s the continual cooperation part that’s so difficult with us, and this consecration makes it easier. And since Mary is perfect, she does this perfectly, and we give up all control… we are only trying to serve God: Mary does the rest. It’s not like we do nothing, but our efforts becoem so much more fruitful and powerful, through her. Since we are not the ones giving ourselves: all the imperfections that go with our efforts are no longer an obstacle. I’‘m talking about it like a continual process… we should be giving ourselves to God all the time… and this can be extremely hard, but with Mary, it’s easy. So in TD its’ called the short, easy, perfect road. Just something to pray about I’m not sure if I said anything wrongly. If I did, please correct me, and I hope that God shows me.

Since our ultimate goal is to belong to Jesus, it’s not idolatry.

 

[nuntym]

+JMJ+

Well, those who want to make a Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary by the traditions of St. Louis de Montfort or St. Maximillian Kolbe, but are having difficulties with grasping the theologies accompanying them, may want to look at an alternative. Through the excellent thread of eddadonkey titled “My Ideal: Jesus Son Of Mary” - An alternative to St. de Montfort’s Total Consecration I first heard of such an alternative, and was so intrigued that I ordered the book from Amazon.

eddadonkey’s summary of the book in the thread I linked to above is spot on. However, I feel that the spirituality of My Ideal: Jesus Son of Mary can be best expressed not as Ad Mariam Per Jesum (To Mary Through Jesus) as eddadonkey wrote but Pro Mariam Per Jesum (For Mary Through Jesus). The goal of the spirituality of the book is to love Mary with the love of Jesus; therefore through Jesus’ help we give our all to Mary. To paraphrase St. Paul, “I can give and do everything for her through Him who strengthens me.” And then Mary, seeing Jesus in us, will treat us as she treated her First Born Son (not ONLY Son, since we are her children also), molding and teaching us to better express Jesus in us through our actions and thoughts. And when we are properly molded, she will send us out into the world, fighting under the banner of Jesus and Mary’s Hearts.

I cannot help but feel gratitude to eddadonkey for introducing the book to me. I feel that this spirituality is even a shorter shortcut to Jesus than St Louis’ and St. Kolbe’s spiritualities (I have made my consecration according to St. Louis’ spirituality, so I have some experience to compare to), since I start with Jesus in me, and, as eddadonkey posted in the thread above, it is Jesus, my beloved Elder Brother, who softens me and pours me into the mold that is Mary. I am gradually integrating the recommendations of the book into my life, and when it comes time to renew my consecration, I will renew it through the process endorsed by My Ideal: Jesus, Son of Mary.

 

[sdegutis]

This seems backwards and just plain wrong. Does the book have nihil obstat? I’m doubting it.

+JMJ+

Well, those who want to make a Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary by the traditions of St. Louis de Montfort or St. Maximillian Kolbe, but are having difficulties with grasping the theologies accompanying them, may want to look at an alternative. Through the excellent thread of eddadonkey titled “My Ideal: Jesus Son Of Mary” - An alternative to St. de Montfort’s Total Consecration I first heard of such an alternative, and was so intrigued that I ordered the book from Amazon.

eddadonkey’s summary of the book in the thread I linked to above is spot on. However, I feel that the spirituality of My Ideal: Jesus Son of Mary can be best expressed not as Ad Mariam Per Jesum (To Mary Through Jesus) as eddadonkey wrote but Pro Mariam Per Jesum (For Mary Through Jesus). The goal of the spirituality of the book is to love Mary with the love of Jesus; therefore through Jesus’ help we give our all to Mary. To paraphrase St. Paul, “I can give and do everything for her through Him who strengthens me.” And then Mary, seeing Jesus in us, will treat us as she treated her First Born Son (not ONLY Son, since we are her children also), molding and teaching us to better express Jesus in us through our actions and thoughts. And when we are properly molded, she will send us out into the world, fighting under the banner of Jesus and Mary’s Hearts.

I cannot help but feel gratitude to eddadonkey for introducing the book to me. I feel that this spirituality is even a shorter shortcut to Jesus than St Louis’ and St. Kolbe’s spiritualities (I have made my consecration according to St. Louis’ spirituality, so I have some experience to compare to), since I start with Jesus in me, and, as eddadonkey posted in the thread above, it is Jesus, my beloved Elder Brother, who softens me and pours me into the mold that is Mary. I am gradually integrating the recommendations of the book into my life, and when it comes time to renew my consecration, I will renew it through the process endorsed by My Ideal: Jesus, Son of Mary.

 

[nuntym]

+JMJ+

This seems backwards and just plain wrong. Does the book have nihil obstat? I’m doubting it.

Imprimi Potest: Peter A. Resch, S.M., Provincial Superior

Nihil Obstat: William M. Drumm, Censor Liborum

Imprimatur: Joseph E. Rutter, Archbishop of St. Louis, December 21, 1946

LOL! That’s the last thing I’ve ever thought I’d hear about the book! Have you even read eddadonkey’s summary? Are you even aware that St. Maximillian Kolbe wrote the following about this book:

“The Marianist E. Neubert has published a book entitled My Ideal, Jesus, Son of Mary. The spirit that pervades this book is entirely the same as ours.”

 

[sdegutis]

Well then fine.

+JMJ+

Imprimi Potest: Peter A. Resch, S.M., Provincial Superior

Nihil Obstat: William M. Drumm, Censor Liborum

Imprimatur: Joseph E. Rutter, Archbishop of St. Louis, December 21, 1946

LOL! That’s the last thing I’ve ever thought I’d hear about the book! Have you even read eddadonkey’s summary? Are you even aware that St. Maximillian Kolbe wrote the following about this book:

“The Marianist E. Neubert has published a book entitled My Ideal, Jesus, Son of Mary. The spirit that pervades this book is entirely the same as ours.”

 

[Lifesong]

As a Methodist convert who struggled mightily with the whole thing even as I went through the 33 day prep I recommend also Fr. Michael Gatley’s 33 Days to Morning Glory. When I did the consecration this summer I did both St. Louis Marie De Montfort’s method (and I did the Rosary Army podcasts which I highly recommend) as well as the 33 Days to Morning Glory which just made the whole thing make better sense to a 21st Century woman raised mainline Protestant and newly Catholic The book discusses St. Louis De Montfort, Maximillian Kolbe and also adds the spirtuality of Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul II. I am happy I did the consecration now- it did help me certainly with giving up atttachments (still struggling) and the spirit of the world and really helped me see the Blessed Mother as the perfect Christian and my mentor- if anything I feel closer to Jesus and I still pray for the most part drectly to Our Lord but one thing I do now post consecration is some of the post consecration things St. Louis De Montfort recommended such as saying part of the Magnificat to myself after receiving communion and offering up my communion to Mary that I will love Jesus with a more perfect love and love and serve Jesus in the person of others. I did my consecration all by myself but we have a goup starting up in the parish and I am thinking of going for a refresher though it has not been a year yet. It really has deepened my spirtuality and as a new convert even though I had my moments of Jesus, is it ok to say some of these prayers about your mother moments I feel blessed to acknowledge “Mom” in my life and to give her my whole mess of a life everyday to offer to the Lord where she sees fit.

Blessings,

Val

 

[catholicanne]

You’re unsure? It’s quite black and white. It’s called the Annunciation.

I am just starting the process to consecrate myself to Mary. I have always prayed for Mary’s intercession and I have a shrine to her in my home and in my office at work (I also have one for Jesus). I even started wearing a mantilla during Mass as a way to honor her. I see consecrating myself to her as simply the next logical progression in my journey as a Catholic. I am a revert and after spending 15 years away from the Catholic faith, it was Mary who brought me back home. I understand and love Jesus because of her. I went to a few protestant churches before coming back to the Catholic church. Without Mary, those churches simply didn’t speak to me. No one has to consecrate themselves to Mary, it’s simply a personal choice, but I think if you’re a Catholic and you don’t see Mary as necessary to better understanding Jesus, you might consider starting a devotion to her. So many of our Catholic leaders, theologians, and saints have marveled at how better they understand our Lord once they come to a relationship with his mother. But that’s just my opinion. :twocents:

 

[MJE]

I am preparing for a renewal of my consecration w/ Father Michael Gaitley MIC 's book
33 Days to Morning Glory; A do it yourself retreat in preperation for Marian Consecration.
Father Gaitley explains everything clearly including de Montfort and includes teachings from blessed JP II, St Max Kolbe & Blessed Mother Teresa in this version.
ignatius.com/Products/TDMG-P/33-days-to-morning-glory.aspx

 

[Monica4316]

+JMJ+

Well, those who want to make a Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary by the traditions of St. Louis de Montfort or St. Maximillian Kolbe, but are having difficulties with grasping the theologies accompanying them, may want to look at an alternative. Through the excellent thread of eddadonkey titled “My Ideal: Jesus Son Of Mary” - An alternative to St. de Montfort’s Total Consecration I first heard of such an alternative, and was so intrigued that I ordered the book from Amazon.

eddadonkey’s summary of the book in the thread I linked to above is spot on. However, I feel that the spirituality of My Ideal: Jesus Son of Mary can be best expressed not as Ad Mariam Per Jesum (To Mary Through Jesus) as eddadonkey wrote but Pro Mariam Per Jesum (For Mary Through Jesus). The goal of the spirituality of the book is to love Mary with the love of Jesus; therefore through Jesus’ help we give our all to Mary. To paraphrase St. Paul, “I can give and do everything for her through Him who strengthens me.” And then Mary, seeing Jesus in us, will treat us as she treated her First Born Son (not ONLY Son, since we are her children also), molding and teaching us to better express Jesus in us through our actions and thoughts. And when we are properly molded, she will send us out into the world, fighting under the banner of Jesus and Mary’s Hearts.

I cannot help but feel gratitude to eddadonkey for introducing the book to me. I feel that this spirituality is even a shorter shortcut to Jesus than St Louis’ and St. Kolbe’s spiritualities (I have made my consecration according to St. Louis’ spirituality, so I have some experience to compare to), since I start with Jesus in me, and, as eddadonkey posted in the thread above, it is Jesus, my beloved Elder Brother, who softens me and pours me into the mold that is Mary. I am gradually integrating the recommendations of the book into my life, and when it comes time to renew my consecration, I will renew it through the process endorsed by My Ideal: Jesus, Son of Mary.

I just bought this book a few days ago I thought it would provide useful ideas on how to live out the Consecration!

Regarding the thread, I actually see the two devotions as really similar and linked, and not opposed at all.

This seems backwards and just plain wrong. Does the book have nihil obstat? I’m doubting it.

Yes, it does have the nihil obstat. I don’t think it’s wrong, because it’s not saying that we go to Mary instead of Jesus. It’s saying that we can love Mary like Jesus did: in imatation of Him. Clearly it’s not wrong to follow the life of Jesus we love Mary with His love, and we love Him with her love. Imo, it relates to the True Devotion and the teachings of both St Louis de Montfort and St Maximilian Kolbe.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Something to think about…

What’s misunderstood about St Louis de Montfort is a few things. First he didn’t create anything new, his exegesis is Biblical and rooted in the Early Church Fathers. Most important is his understanding that “all” Salvation comes through Christ Crucified.

“As for the Queen of All, She holds authority over All, and from one end of the Earth to the other end, All things submit to Her and glorify Her. for She reigns with Her Son and King and will reign especially in the last days when the end and conclusion of this fleeting world will take place. And She will reign with Her Son in a unending and incomprehensible reign.” St Maximus the Confessor, who is accredited with the final work on the Incarnation.

 

[ImmaBV]

Through our struggles to be a better Christian, it is like Jesus tells you, “let me show you a shorter and easier way, come to Me through my Mother, it the way I used to come to you, you know…” I advice anyone who has doubts to read the True devotion to Mary (book by Saint Louis de Montfort) before panicking and thinking about rivalry. This devotion is a great gift God is giving the world for our time. Many have said a lot of good about the devotion, but you too need to read the book yourself (available online for free) it has so much to offer. It does not hurt to do the little research, does it?

And yes, my life has changed since the consecration. Many lives have changed. Your life will change too if you consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary. If all of us consecrated ourselves to Jesus, the history of mankind would change dramaticantly. The iclination to evil would disappear and Christ’s reign will be accomplished in our hearts. What the consecration does is to give the Holy Spirit more freedom to act in our hearts, because Mary helps us to offer ourselves in a manner that we can never do on our own, so that our own offering may resemble Her own offering, with no obstacles to divine action.

After my consecration, I feel inner peace, and much inner joy and energy, a fire in my heart that keeps me loving and ready to praise Him any now. I perceive much more ability to live in the present moment, knowing that the future is in safe hands, and that the past is well accounted for, as best as it could ever be. No more worries, - all offerred up together with the rest of me. If I accidentally fail I hasten to confession and I know that Mother is helping me with my confession in ways I would never be able to do on my own.

If you want to get a further background on the devotion to the Immaculate Heart, please read the private revelations to Bernadetta, Juan Diego, and the Fatima children (all Church approved).

 

[ImmaBV]

To address the original question to this thread, I understand that we continue to live our Christian lives as best as we can, including praying for anyone and for all, and offering up anything we want or everything, to God, for any intentions, but since our will is surbordinated to the will of Our Mother now, it means that we should expect that She will intercede for us before Almighty God as far as our petitions are in par with God’s will, since She knows better than anyone else what the will of God is. I would say that She would paraphrase (edit?) our prayers to conform to God’s will, something we would never know how to do ourselves since our knowledge of God’s will is impaired by our blurred vision of Him. (Our will is secondary to hers for all our prayers and petitions). When we consecrate ourselves to Jesus through Mary, we are giving Our Mother the permission to do that for us from now onwards. On the other hand, it is okay if we sometimes forget to form the intentions before some of our prayers, actions or offerings, since they are all within the Total Consecration of oneself which we have already made. This is the part that thrills me most, that I am well accounted for, I do not have to waste any of my good actions, sufferings, offerings, etc, since Mother collects them immediately and makes use of them in ways that She knows to be more beneficial for me than I would never figure out by myself.
Again, it is the best way to make sure that my loved ones are divinely protected, since by myself I am likely to sometimes forget to pray for them. But when Our lady is our “Spiritual Accountant”, She who has divine wisdom, will not make any mistake, she never makes one. I hope the name “Spiritual Accountant” makes some sense, maybe not totally correct, probably.

 

[His_helpmeet]

I strongly recommend that anyone considering consecration to Our Blessed Lady read True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort. I myself have read it at least once (probably twice, by the time I read a little bit each night) and am quite familiar with it. St. Louis describes devotion to Our Lady in a number of ways. He talks about how someone, wishing to serve his king better, might make himself the slave of the queen. He also gives the analogy of a peasant bringing the first fruits of his farm as an offering to the king. Would it not be more acceptable to the king if the peasant brought them to the queen first, and she placed them on a golden plate and brought them to the king herself on the peasant’s behalf? In addition, he also explains how we can indeed still pray for ourselves and for others while being consecrated to Our Blessed Lady. He talks about how Jesus Christ is our Last End, and how He is our mediator of redemption, while Our Blessed Lady is our mediatrix of grace. As I read True Devotion, I keep thinking ot myself, “This makes so much GOOD SENSE! THIS is THE book to give to someone struggling with Marian devotion!” If you can’t find a copy of the book, you can access it free of charge on EWTN’s library.

 

[ImmaBV]

Thanks His_Helpmeet for such a nice summary on True devotion.

I am also trying to find time to re-read it for the 3rd time at least. The Consecration is a gift to humanity. Let us pray for those who find it difficult to accept it.

Frank Duff (Servant of God) had initially problems to accept the devotion, but after God’s grace he embraced it and found the Legion of Mary… no less!

Let us see Jesus with the eyes and heart of Mary, and let us see Mary with the eyes and heart of Jesus.

 

[aeerestain]

I have been practicing the Total Consecration Devotion to the Blessed Virgin according to Saint Louis Marie de Montfort since August 15, 1957 seven years before I was ordained a Roman Catholic priest. What is important is to do everything with, in, for and through Mary, so that we can do everything with, in, for and through Jesus.

 

[GraceUnderFire]

I have been feeling the nudge to do the total consecration but afraid at the same time. Being a convert, the idea of “to Jesus through Mary” is a sticking point for me. I accept all of the Marian doctrines and have a special affinity for the Holy Virgin. However, I can’t get consecration out of my head. . .

I’m reading True Devotion slowly and carefully and trying to determine if I can accept this pathway to heaven. I asked myself: what if it’s not true at all? And I reasoned that God in His mercy wouldn’t not see this as idolatry but as my feeble attempt to reach Him. I can’t imagine someone being cast into hell because of this. (Seems like an extreme train of throught but we get one shot at this life and I want to do ti right!)

 

[Christine85]

Hi Grace Under Fire, it’s normal I believe to have some doubts about the consecration at first, it happens to a lot of people. Know that a lot of Early Fathers and Popes have done this consecration themselves. JPII being a big advocate, same as Mother Teresa, St Louis de Montfort, St Max Kolbe.

I have done it myself and never regret it, the only thing I regret is if I’m not living it well enough. I know several Carmelite nuns that have done it.

I dont believe it is idolatry at all, it is consecrating ourselves to JESUS, with his Mother Marys help. I don’t see anything wrong with that. It is using her intercession to help us with our relationship with Jesus. We ask for her intercession in the Mass , the Rosary etc.

I had a problem at first with the Catholic devotion to Mary, my Pentecostal housemates were telling me it was wrong, I agreed. But I went away sad, feeling I rejected Mary, and then I wanted to involve her in my life and she really helped me in her typical Motherly way whilst I lived in that house, as I was in a way bullied there. It was interesting because we all had Jesus there, but suddenly when I took up a resolution to love Mary as much as I could, I had an extra edge and extra help and it was when I started investigating doing the consecration that I suddenly felt safe and protected in that household. Very interesting indeed.

You should pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance and to Jesus and the Father, pray that you can see what is best for you, but I believe it will be only a matter of time until Mary really captures your heart.
God bless you through Mary our Holy Mother

 

[abinjoy]

I read in a website that we have to first read the book by St Louis Montfort to do the total consecration.Is that absolutely essential?