Dear Jessie,
I’m far from the “perfect person” (Camehome4john6 mentions in his reply) , but since you asked for advice, let’s listen to St. Louis De Montfort and hope his words help all of us peacefully look forward to renewing our Total Consecration on Mar. 25.
St. Louis de Montfort wrote in his treatise on “
True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”:
- 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.
St. Louis wrote the above paragraph to give adequate “direction” in the 33 Day Preparation for Total Consecration. He is not putting us under any “obligation” - if we are unable to receive the sacraments immediately after the three weeks. He is specifically writing directions for our first Act of Consecration in paragraph 231.
If you are in the midst of your preparation, (as in fact I and others are in the midst of our preparations)
to renew Total Consecration, to Jesus through Mary, trust in the Lord and our dear Mother to enable you to pray that Act of Consecration with great attention and devotion on Mar. 25.
Regarding the keeping of the same day, St. Louis wrote in paragraph 233:
- Every year at least, on the same date, they should renew the consecration following the same exercises for three weeks. They might also renew it every month or even every day by saying this short prayer: “I am all yours and all I have is yours, O dear Jesus, through Mary, your holy Mother.”
St Louis certainly
encourages renewal on the Feast of the Incarnation, Mar. 25, but notice, he also suggests we can renew it every month, or even every day with the short prayer: “I am all Yours and all I have is Yours, O dear Jesus through Mary, Your holy Mother.”
Finally in paragraph 257 St. Louis wrote:
- The exterior practices of this devotion which I have just dealt with should be observed as far as one’s circumstances and state of life permit. They should not be omitted through negligence or deliberate disregard. In addition to them, here are some very sanctifying interior practices for those souls who feel called by the Holy Spirit to a high degree of perfection. They may be expressed in four words, doing everything through Mary, with Mary, in Mary, and for Mary, in order to do it more perfectly through Jesus, with Jesus, in Jesus, and for Jesus.
This a a long reply but it seemed good to go back to St. Louis de Montfort since he was given such amazing grace to write his little treatise which has helped so many to grow in love for Jesus through Mary. May God help all of us to grow in holiness as St. Louis and all the saints have grown by God’s Grace and loving dependence on Mary’s intercession. Totus Tuus!
. So will my (re) consecration be invalid, or can I do these obligations once the church is back in action? As far as I understand it, it’s recommended to keep the same Feast day, plus I’m already so far through, so can’t really just start again later. I’m sure there are others in this situation, any advice? Thank you
.