"This is My beloved Son, ... listen to Him." (Mt 17:5)

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

For awhile now, I’ve been stressing the need to Listen to God’s Word in the Holy Scriptures. Rather than comment on today’s Mass readings for the Feast of the Transfiguration, I want to share yet another way to grow closer to God, as described by St. Louis de Montfort in Chapter 3 of his Treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin

1. As all perfection consists in our being conformed, united and consecrated to Jesus it naturally follows that the most perfect of all devotions is that which conforms, unites, and consecrates us most completely to Jesus. Now of all God’s creatures Mary is the most conformed to Jesus. It therefore follows that, of all devotions, devotion to her makes for the most effective consecration and conformity to Him. The more one is consecrated to Mary, the more one is consecrated to Jesus.

That is why perfect consecration to Jesus is but a perfect and complete consecration of oneself to the Blessed Virgin, which is the devotion I teach; or in other words, it is the perfect renewal of the vows and promises of holy baptism.

Mary listened to all Jesus said and did, and pondered all in her heart (cf Lk 2:19 and Lk 2:51). Jesus told us from His Cross, “Behold Your Mother”, yet so many ignore her today, or worse, deface statues and blaspheme both her Son and herself. I want to introduce some on CAF who may have never heard about the 33 day preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, God willing, beginning tomorrow.

Today seemed a good day to invite people since it is the Feast of the Transfiguration. In this beautiful Feast we “see by Faith” God’s Glory in Jesus, Whose Life we share in Baptism. St. Louis de Montfort was given great graces to write God’s Truth in this little book and if anyone is interested, I encourage you to read it online or purchase an inexpensive paperback copy. Online version is at: Treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin | EWTN

As I pondered today’s and yesterdays’ Mass readings I was happy to remember how often the Church celebrates Feasts of Jesus and Mary close together. I hope many persons will begin this journey of 33 days to “Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary” tomorrow.

You can prayerfully begin reading the book online today! If you have read it, maybe reading it again will give you new insights.

Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of Your Faithful; kindle in us the Fire of Your Love. Eternal Father, help us to listen to Your Son. Jesus, we trust in You. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

 

[carmelitequotes]

I made my consecration to Jesus in/with/through Mary according to the formula of Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort 24 years ago on 8 September, but it is the spontaneous moments of renewal that occur every day that mean the most to me. I’m speaking of those moments of prayer when I pray, “Jesus, I love you, I’m totally yours, everything I have belongs to you through Mary, your most holy Mother.”

It’s more a reminder to me than it is a reminder for him. But when one loves and keeps reminding the other how much they are loved, the inflow and circulation of love between them seems limitless.

Lord, help us to listen to the loving heartbeat of your Son.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear carmellitequotes,

Thanks for your reply, and for your “heart” which indicates your love for Jesus through Mary. Yes, I too have experienced. by God’s Grace, how God’s Love for us and ours for Him grows through Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, following the writing of St. Louis de Montfort.

I prayed my First Act of Consecration in High School as a member of the Junior Legion of Mary, in the 1950"s. Of course it seems like yesterday to me, but each time I re-read St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion”, I learn more. I continue to encourage anyone I know to read it prayerfully and more than once. Please let us pray for one another, for the Church and for all those who are in most need of His Mercy. Let us pray that many will turn to the Mother of Mercy, and through her find Him!

 

[Mark121359]

Mary is the most conformed to Jesus. It therefore follows that, of all devotions, devotion to her makes for the most effective consecration and conformity to Him. The more one is consecrated to Mary, the more one is consecrated to Jesus.

Amen to that! Thanks MariaChristi for your wonderful posts! Your love for the Virgin is very moving. She is especially needed in these difficult times we’re living through.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Mark,

Ah yes, the “wisdom of the Saints!” – St. Louis de Montfort was given great graces by the Lord to write his treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. In Chapter 1, he wrote:

1. All the rich among the people, to use an expression of the Holy Spirit as explained by St. Bernard, all the rich among the people will look pleadingly upon her countenance throughout all ages and particularly as the world draws to its end. This means that the greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most Blessed Virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them.

These are indeed very difficult and serious times we are living through, Mark – and I wonder how close we are to the “end times”. By God’s Grace, hopefully, many will begin this 33 Day Preparation today to consecrate themselves totally (or renew their Consecration) on Sept 8 - Feast of the Nativity of Mary.

Thanks for your encouraging reply. Totus Tuus!