Today, we begin!

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

By God’s Grace and the powerful intercession of our Mother Mary, our Guardian Angels and all the saints, especially St. Louis De Montfort, we begin our 33 Days of Preparation to consecrate ourselves totally to Jesus through Mary. Let us hear again words of St. Louis de Montfort:

1. Those who desire to take up this special devotion … should spend at least twelve days in emptying themselves of the spirit of the world, which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus, as I have recommended in the first part of this preparation for the reign 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 opposed to the spirit of Christ, which is also the spirit of Mary.The spirit of the world manifests itself in sin, and all else by which we are led into sin; works which bring error and darkness to the mind and corruption to the will. The spirit of the world loves pomp and splendor and all the devil can use to render sin alluring in persons, places and things.

While St. Louis de Montfort himself does not include in the above description of the first 12 days any particular prayers, or practices other than “emptying themselves of the spirit of the world”, some books written by others do suggest certain prayers, readings and exercises. These may be helpful, but it seems to me best to stay with the words of St. Louis de Montfort, and begin as he suggested in the paragraph 227 of “True Devotion”.

Since Jesus has told us in the Gospel that the Holy Spirit will bring us into the complete Truth, let us pray especially to the Holy Spirit. We can do this often simply by the words, “Come Holy Spirit” and humbly asking Him to reveal to us how we may empty ourselves of the world that He may fill us with His Love and purify our hearts. Let us also continue to pray to our Blessed Mother for her intercession.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. Kindle in us the fire of your love.
Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede for us.
St. Louis de Montfort and all the saints and angels pray for us as we begin our journey.

If you have not read or if you wish to re-read “True Devotion”, the online version is HERE

 

[Tablefor9]

Come, Holy Spirit…

 

[Pythagoras]

When is the best time of the day to say the 33-Day Consecration, Morning or Evening? I would like to say it at night but doesn’t it feel awkward when you say it at evening, a few minutes before sleeping already?

 

[MariaChristi]

When is the best time of the day to say the 33-Day Consecration, Morning or Evening? I would like to say it at night but doesn’t it feel awkward when you say it at evening, a few minutes before sleeping already?

Dear Pythagoras,

St. Louis de Montfort wrote in his book, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin:

1. At the end of these three weeks they should go to confession and Holy Communion with the intention of consecrating themselves to Jesus through Mary as slaves of love. When receiving Holy Communion they could follow the method given later on. They then recite the act of consecration which is given at the end of this book. If they do not have a printed copy of the act, they should write it out or have it copied and then sign it on the very day they make it

Each time I renew my consecration I pray the Act of Consecration after receiving Holy Communion.

The online version of True Devotion is HERE At the end of the book there is a supplement: on this Devotion at Holy Communion.

 

[MariaChristi]

When is the best time of the day to say the 33-Day Consecration, Morning or Evening? I would like to say it at night but doesn’t it feel awkward when you say it at evening, a few minutes before sleeping already?

Dear Pythagoras,

In my first response to you, I thought you meant: “when is the best time to say the Act of Consecration?” On re-reading it I now think you meant when is the best time to pray or read or ponder the particular method St. Louis has outlined for us in his book, “True Devotion”. The best time for anything is really subjective – it depends on the individual.

For instance today we begin the 33 Days with a period of 12 days in which we try to" rid ourselves of the spirit of the world." I woke up this morning thinking first of my Morning offering. I try to pray that prayer before I get out of bed. Morning is always my best time of day. I’m more tired when night time comes, but if I haven’t had time enough to pray, I will take time at night.

Today after breakfast, I thought of the beginning of our 33 Day Journey and sat at the computer to write about it. During Mass and Holy Communion, I was aware of my desire to give myself totally to the Lord. After Mass and Bible Study this morning, as I prepared our mea, I prayed some short prayers to the Holy Spirit. God willing I’lll pray my Rosary later this afternoon.

Hopefully, by God’s Grace, tonight will find me thanking the Lord for all He provided for me today, for His help in seeing more deeply into “the spirit of the world” and how I need to choose to follow His Spirit, Hope that helps a bit. Perhaps you can ask the Holy Spirit’s help in finding the best time for you

 

[MariaChristi]

Come, Holy Spirit…

Dear Tablefor9,

Thanks for your prayer. Those words are such a simple and beautiful cry of the heart! By God’s grace, may we continue asking the Holy Spirit to come and help us to rid ourselves of the spirit of this world. We are poor judges in our own case. We often do not see ourselves truly, as God sees us.

May the Holy Spirit shine His Light into our hearts and purify them with His Love. Please let us pray for one another and all who may be making this journey.

 

[Pythagoras]

Dear Pythagoras,

In my first response to you, I thought you meant: “when is the best time to say the Act of Consecration?” On re-reading it I now think you meant when is the best time to pray or read or ponder the particular method St. Louis has outlined for us in his book, “True Devotion”. The best time for anything is really subjective – it depends on the individual.

For instance today we begin the 33 Days with a period of 12 days in which we try to" rid ourselves of the spirit of the world." I woke up this morning thinking first of my Morning offering. I try to pray that prayer before I get out of bed. Morning is always my best time of day. I’m more tired when night time comes, but if I haven’t had time enough to pray, I will take time at night.

Today after breakfast, I thought of the beginning of our 33 Day Journey and sat at the computer to write about it. During Mass and Holy Communion, I was aware of my desire to give myself totally to the Lord. After Mass and Bible Study this morning, as I prepared our mea, I prayed some short prayers to the Holy Spirit. God willing I’lll pray my Rosary later this afternoon.

Hopefully, by God’s Grace, tonight will find me thanking the Lord for all He provided for me today, for His help in seeing more deeply into “the spirit of the world” and how I need to choose to follow His Spirit, Hope that helps a bit. Perhaps you can ask the Holy Spirit’s help in finding the best time for you

Thank you so much MariaChristi!

 

[MariaChristi]

Thank you so much MariaChristi!

I’m always happy to help. I posted “Day 2” this morning. If you go to my profile page you can find it under “Statistics” – threads begun by MariaChristi. By God’s Grace, may we all grow spiritually during these 33 days.