M
MariaChristi
Guest
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
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Today begins the preparation for total consecration to Jesus through Mary; the first period of 12 days is spent in ridding oneself of the spirit of the world. St. Louis in his book, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin describes it this way:
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Several books and also a website are available to help in this preparation, but the best help is perhaps St. Louis' book on True Devotion, which he also called the "preparation for the reign of Christ" when he mentions his book above in paragraph 227. There is an online version of this book [HERE](www.ewtn.com/library/montfort/truedevo.htm). Below are prayers for each day of the first period of 12 days:
Prayers
Veni Creator Spiritus
Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father,
Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue.
Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.
Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen.
Ave Maris Stella
Hail, O Star of the ocean,
God's own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heav'nly rest.
Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve's name.
Break the sinners' fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.
Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.
Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.
Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.
Suggested spiritual exercises (during these 12 days):
Examine your conscience, pray, practice renouncement of your own will; mortification, purity of heart. This purity is the indispensable condition for contemplating God in heaven, to see Him on earth and to know Him by the light of faith. The first part of the preparation should be employed in casting off the spirit of the world which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ. The spirit of the world consists essentially in the denial of the supreme dominion of God; a denial which is manifested in practice by sin and disobedience; thus it is principally opposed to the spirit of Christ, which is also that of Mary.
It manifests itself by the concupiscence of the flesh, by the concupiscence of the eyes and by the pride of life. By disobedience to God's laws and the abuse of created things. Its works are: sin in all forms, then all else by which the devil leads to sin; works which bring error and darkness to the mind, and seduction and corruption to the will. Its pomps are the splendor and the charms employed by the devil to render sin alluring in persons, places and things
Suggested Reading (during these 12 days): Gospel of Matthew chapters 5-7 also begin reading St. Louis' book, *[True Devotion](www.ewtn.com/library/montfort/truedevo.htm)*.
The most important part of the preparation is the desire of one's heart. If one truly desires to love Jesus and Mary more, this can be a very fruitful journey. I hope many will begin with me today; if you have questions or comments as we journey on, please post them. It is good to encourage one another. We may not always be able to do all the exercises or readings suggested but we can pray and desire more always. :)