Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary- Questions

[snowflakeinlove]

Hi everyone
I am currently preparing to make my total consecration on March 25 (the Annunciation) using the materials from myconsecration.org
I found out about the consecration from some friends a while ago but never considered it until about a month ago, when I felt like God was leading me to this consecration.
It’s been more than 20 days of preparation now and I’m finding that I’m having second thoughts.

I’ve been struggling with the language that St Louis de Montfort uses sometimes about Mary throughout the preparation- but I kept continuing through it because I felt like God knew better and I tried to trust Him and keep going.

But now looking back I feel like I’ve almost been rushing through the daily prayers/ not really meaning it… because I’m just not used to the language and it almost feels idolatrous, although I know it’s not- I know Mary always brings us closer to Jesus… I understand that I will be consecrating myself to Jesus through Mary, I know that the Church approves of the devotion. Half the time I am praying “I’m not sure if I mean this but if it’s what you want then help me Lord” … but I still am not sure.

Secondly, I just read somewhere, I think on these forums, that after our consecration we can no longer offer up things/ Holy Communion for others anymore; we ask Mary… That was not in my preparation booklet at all… is that true? If so, could someone explain, because that doesn’t feel right to me either- that we have to go through Mary?

So I’m not sure if I’m ready for the consecration at all, I feel like I don’t actually know much about the consecration and I have all these doubts, but on the other hand I feel like it’s just the devil trying to get me to not go through with the consecration. Thoughts??

And more questions:
Must we say the consecration immediately after communion/Mass/ before the Tabernacle? I have to be somewhere right after Mass that day (since it is a weekday) and really would rather not rush through the prayer of consecration.
Also, one of the consecration cards I have asks for a witness to sign. Is that necessary? I don’t have a witness…

Sorry this is kind of long and thank you for reading.

 

[Jeremyah]

Hi everyone
I am currently preparing to make my total consecration on March 25 (the Annunciation) using the materials from myconsecration.org
I found out about the consecration from some friends a while ago but never considered it until about a month ago, when I felt like God was leading me to this consecration.
It’s been more than 20 days of preparation now and I’m finding that I’m having second thoughts.

I’ve been struggling with the language that St Louis de Montfort uses sometimes about Mary throughout the preparation- but I kept continuing through it because I felt like God knew better and I tried to trust Him and keep going.

But now looking back I feel like I’ve almost been rushing through the daily prayers/ not really meaning it… because I’m just not used to the language and it almost feels idolatrous, although I know it’s not- I know Mary always brings us closer to Jesus… I understand that I will be consecrating myself to Jesus through Mary, I know that the Church approves of the devotion. Half the time I am praying “I’m not sure if I mean this but if it’s what you want then help me Lord” … but I still am not sure.

Secondly, I just read somewhere, I think on these forums, that after our consecration we can no longer offer up things/ Holy Communion for others anymore; we ask Mary… That was not in my preparation booklet at all… is that true? If so, could someone explain, because that doesn’t feel right to me either- that we have to go through Mary?

So I’m not sure if I’m ready for the consecration at all, I feel like I don’t actually know much about the consecration and I have all these doubts, but on the other hand I feel like it’s just the devil trying to get me to not go through with the consecration. Thoughts??

And more questions:
Must we say the consecration immediately after communion/Mass/ before the Tabernacle? I have to be somewhere right after Mass that day (since it is a weekday) and really would rather not rush through the prayer of consecration.
Also, one of the consecration cards I have asks for a witness to sign. Is that necessary? I don’t have a witness…

Sorry this is kind of long and thank you for reading.

I’m glad you have provided the link. I’m going to look into consecrating myself to Christ through Mary, myself.

To offer my own thoughts, without knowing much about it, I think it would be a great honor to be consecrated through Mary.

For me, it’s really ONLY through Mary that I can ever really learn to love Jesus. I grew up with some exceedingly negative views of Jesus. I was taught that he was the cause, instead of the solution, to all my problems. Also, because of certain experiences, I came to see his death on the cross, not as the most profound and complete act of love that any human being ever committed for another but instead the most profound and complete act of masochistic narcissism.

It’s learning to see Jesus through Mary’s eyes that I learn who he really was. All the kind and good things people say about Jesus, I only saw in Mary. But then Mary said to me, “He’s just like I am, but infinitely more so. Everything you love about me, You will find in Jesus, but infinitely more so.”

Do I believer this now? No. Sure don’t. Not fully anyway. I still feel a lot of anger and resentment toward Jesus.

But I’m still world’s closer to him than I was even a year ago. Even six months ago.

Mary was the human being that was the very closest to Jesus. She knew him better and more intimately than any other person during her life time. It is her above all people that can teach us the very most about Jesus.

I’m going to look into this and seriously consider it.

So long as it doesn’t require vows of lifelong singleness or celibacy, I’ll probably do it myself (if it does though, I’m avoiding it like the plague. But that’s a personal issue, not a theological one).

Once I get the material and look through it, I’ll give you a more informed opinion.

 

[steymard]

So long as it doesn’t require vows of lifelong singleness or celibacy, I’ll probably do it myself (if it does though, I’m avoiding it like the plague. But that’s a personal issue, not a theological one).

It’s got nothing to do with singleness.

I recommend this website - it’s got the same content, but it’s easier to navigate.

fisheaters.com/totalconsecrationmontfort.html

The main thing to remember is that in consecrating yourself to Mary, you are doing what Jesus did - i.e. putting yourself under the complete protection of and obedience to Mary. Jesus did this as an infant and continued to obey her as a son growing up. Therefore you will only be walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

Regarding offering up your prayers, works, joys, sufferings, etc. I think it’s sufficient to make that intention at the beginning of each day. This devotion does not mean we can’t say a Hail Mary for our parents anymore or anything like that, but due to your general intention made at the consecration and the daily renewal of that consecration, the prayer for your parents, along with all your other intentions, are ultimately offered up to Mary to do with as she wishes. It’s not either/or.

 

[Jeremyah]

I trust Mary. More so than Jesus (wrongly I know, just being honest). I remember the wedding at Cana. I am liking the idea of this more and more as it goes. I trust Mary not to leave me single. If it’s in her hands and she gets to call the shots…

I’m feeling very hopeful about this. I need to learn and read more about this though to make sure I’m understanding this right.

 

[salve_maria_1]

Hi everyone
I am currently preparing to make my total consecration on March 25 (the Annunciation) using the materials from myconsecration.org
I found out about the consecration from some friends a while ago but never considered it until about a month ago, when I felt like God was leading me to this consecration.
It’s been more than 20 days of preparation now and I’m finding that I’m having second thoughts.

I’ve been struggling with the language that St Louis de Montfort uses sometimes about Mary throughout the preparation- but I kept continuing through it because I felt like God knew better and I tried to trust Him and keep going.

But now looking back I feel like I’ve almost been rushing through the daily prayers/ not really meaning it… because I’m just not used to the language and it almost feels idolatrous, although I know it’s not- I know Mary always brings us closer to Jesus… I understand that I will be consecrating myself to Jesus through Mary, I know that the Church approves of the devotion. Half the time I am praying “I’m not sure if I mean this but if it’s what you want then help me Lord” … but I still am not sure.

Secondly, I just read somewhere, I think on these forums, that after our consecration we can no longer offer up things/ Holy Communion for others anymore; we ask Mary… That was not in my preparation booklet at all… is that true? If so, could someone explain, because that doesn’t feel right to me either- that we have to go through Mary?

So I’m not sure if I’m ready for the consecration at all, I feel like I don’t actually know much about the consecration and I have all these doubts, but on the other hand I feel like it’s just the devil trying to get me to not go through with the consecration. Thoughts??

And more questions:
Must we say the consecration immediately after communion/Mass/ before the Tabernacle? I have to be somewhere right after Mass that day (since it is a weekday) and really would rather not rush through the prayer of consecration.
Also, one of the consecration cards I have asks for a witness to sign. Is that necessary? I don’t have a witness…

Sorry this is kind of long and thank you for reading.

The consecration is about doing all in, through, and with Mary, making yourself into a voluntary slave of love to the Sacred Heart of Our Lord. Because Mary is the only one to have perfectly served God, we seek her to help us find him. I sort of think of it as you being a babe in the womb, totally dependent on your mother to take care of you- your life depending on her actions. I suppose you could use a newborn baby too as an example, but a newborn doesn’t explicitly require his biological mother to care for him.

St. Louis de Montfort said that unless we explicitly retract our offering, everything of ours is offered. So, we don’t have to even intend to offer something, even though that isn’t a bad practice. This was a relief to me as I am scrupulous and being able to let go was a very good thing.

As for prayer, you most certainly can pray for loved ones (family and friends), the Poor Souls in Purgatory, or anyone else. In fact, you can pray with even more confidence, because Mary is not going to refuse to help people when you impoverished yourself for her. That would be very ungrateful, and we know that she is the epitome of generosity and motherliness. Now, if you offer a Rosary, or something like that, for someone in particular, what you can do is tell her you understand that she is free to do as she wishes with your prayers, but that you ask that if it pleases her, to apply your prayers for that person or intention. Even if it does not, ask her to protect (or whatever your intention is) them. She will be able to do far more for them that way than you could on your own.

It’s not absolutely critical to do things exactly as stated, I don’t think. It doesn’t render the consecration invalid, so long as you intend to consecrate yourself as intended. I could not make it to Mass on my consecration day- I had to be in class. I found a quiet place on campus to kneel and made my consecration with no one but God, Our Lady, and my Guardian Angel as witnesses (and the rest of the saints too I guess!). I did, however, talk about this with a dear friend, and informed him when I made it on that day. But no, you don’t have to have witnesses, as far as I can possibly know.

 

[salve_maria_1]

I know you didn’t ask for my story, but maybe it will help to get some personal experience.

I was abused by my mother and as a result, felt literally no filial affection, and honestly felt a hard crust over my heart that kept me from even being able to feel love. I have Aspergers Syndrome which only increased the problem. It was hard to feel love for God, even though I wanted to. It wasn’t that I hated Him or was angry at Him or anything like that, but I felt very dry. I did what I was supposed to do and beyond, but not out of any sensible devotion.

I knew that Mary was my mother and decided to start some form of devotion to her. I knew that I needed a Mother, and that she was the best one I could have, period. I was I don’t know, maybe 12 when I first heard of the Total Consecration. I was a bit repelled at first. The thought of “slavery” to Mary, of trusting everything to her…it just seemed a bit much. But still, I read much about it, and was fascinated by the thought. It seemed attractive almost, to be so dependent on someone when I never had a person I could trust, but I pushed it aside. I came across things mentioning it from time to time for years and thought about it. Then when I was sixteen or so, I kept thinking really seriously, but kept putting it off. Finally, at 18 I decided to just finally do it.

It is immensely comforting to know that I belong to her, that she is watching out for me, that I can help save sinners or succor the souls in Purgatory, without any knowledge of the fact, by doing nothing more than my own day-to-day duties. I feel like a little child of hers in that I just abandon myself to her arms especially when I am feeling upset. I never had this with my biological mother, and it is a strange but wonderful thing that I can feel love for her and by keeping her on my mind, she is leading me to always keep Christ on my mind. And I can feel love for Him too, and understand with my heart and not just my head what He did for us. I talk to her in my heart all the time about anything really, even simply what is on my mind.

And one thing that I do is I am perpetually raising up my friends to her for her to watch over and help. I have a couple of very close friends whom I love more than words can tell and I feel like this is the very best thing that I can possibly do for them short of perhaps offering Masses for them.

 

[steymard]

Thanks for your beautiful story, salve_maria. I’m in week 2 of preparation for Total Consecration and will consecrate myself on the 25th of March. This is very encouraging for me, too.

 

[InNomineDomini]

I’m in week 2 of preparation for Total Consecration and will consecrate myself on the 25th of March.

Are you using a particular book to help you with this? I’ve got a copy of *33 Days to Morning Glory, *but have as yet not attempted the preparation. If you’re familiar with the work, I wonder what your thoughts on it are.

 

[Christine85]

Hello, I will be renewing the consecration for the 3rd time on the Feast of the Annunciation. I have never regretted doing. I totally feel the Mother of Gods filial protection all the time. There have been times of suffering still of course but that is life, as it says in the work of St Louis De Montfort, Mary makes the crosses sweet, I think for any one to do this consecration it is necessary to read St Louis De Montfort’s work True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. This will help you understand it all more…

God bless

 

[snowflakeinlove]

I’m glad you have provided the link. I’m going to look into consecrating myself to Christ through Mary, myself.

I am glad you are looking into it and found the link helpful. Although I am struggling, I know this consecration is a good thing!

The main thing to remember is that in consecrating yourself to Mary, you are doing what Jesus did - i.e. putting yourself under the complete protection of and obedience to Mary. Jesus did this as an infant and continued to obey her as a son growing up. Therefore you will only be walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

Regarding offering up your prayers, works, joys, sufferings, etc. I think it’s sufficient to make that intention at the beginning of each day. This devotion does not mean we can’t say a Hail Mary for our parents anymore or anything like that, but due to your general intention made at the consecration and the daily renewal of that consecration, the prayer for your parents, along with all your other intentions, are ultimately offered up to Mary to do with as she wishes. It’s not either/or.

This makes so much sense to me. Thank you for the clarification- I get it now!

I know you didn’t ask for my story, but maybe it will help to get some personal experience. …

And one thing that I do is I am perpetually raising up my friends to her for her to watch over and help. I have a couple of very close friends whom I love more than words can tell and I feel like this is the very best thing that I can possibly do for them short of perhaps offering Masses for them.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. I feel much more at peace now after reading it.

Are you using a particular book to help you with this? I’ve got a copy of 33 Days to Morning Glory, but have as yet not attempted the preparation. If you’re familiar with the work, I wonder what your thoughts on it are.

I’m just using the materials from myconsecration.org (they’ll mail you a booklet if you sign up on their site), but I’ve heard great things about that book.

Hello, I will be renewing the consecration for the 3rd time on the Feast of the Annunciation. I have never regretted doing. I totally feel the Mother of Gods filial protection all the time. There have been times of suffering still of course but that is life, as it says in the work of St Louis De Montfort, Mary makes the crosses sweet, I think for any one to do this consecration it is necessary to read St Louis De Montfort’s work True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. This will help you understand it all more…

God bless

Thanks Christine for sharing your experience. I’ve been reading parts of True Devotion; it is a difficult read for me like I mentioned in the OP but I think God is helping me through it.

After posting this I feel much more encouraged and I think I will keep on going through with this consecration.
Thank you so much for all your replies. God bless!