True Devotion Consecration

[starrs0]

Is the formula of preparation found in True Devotion to Mary required before making the total consecration to Mary talked about by St.Louis de Montfort?

 

[solanus]

I would say that you can consecrate yourself to Our Lady any way you would like. It is an act of total love and devotion to her Son through her. However , St Louis has given us a “formula” to prepare us for the commitment we are about to make.

I myself have asked this question as I have attempted to go day by day via St Louis process and have decided that until I can complete his way I will not consecrate myself. I am doing this myself as I want to prove to myself and Our Lady that I take it serious and prepare myself for this huge act.

 

[4carmel]

DeMontfort’s Total Consecration is different. This consecration has the characters of a vow: because it is a most solemn and eternal dedication. It is more than an ordinary promise - which is not binding under penalty of sin; but it is less demanding that the solemn vows, which one would make to become a professed religious. Still, the effect of this consecration, properly made, is irrevocable. Once a person understands the nature of this consecration, he understands that he is entirely abrogating any of his natural spiritual rights to dictate where the merits of his good actions might be applied. A person who makes this consecration, may fast and pray for any intention he would like; but he has absolutely no assurance that merits of his fasts and prayers will be applied for that intention. In fact, he can almost be certain that Our Lady may often see a greater spiritual need elsewhere; she may freely use these merits for anything that she desires. He can not, in fact, even offer up prayers and fasts for himself. He entirely abrogates possession of himself; he completely gives away ownership of his own body and his soul, all of his material possessions, and even the right to to dispose of the values of any of his good actions.

Proper Conditions for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary
Additional related material can be found at the New Jerusalem site linked here The Secret of Mary by St. Louis de Montfort
For those who can not yet prepare for the Montfortian consecration Saint Maximillan Kolbe has a wonderful consecration and the one aids the other in their writings and preparations. I have done both and renew both throughout the year at certain times. One must not just plan to make the consecration and that is it- one must live it daily. Be prepared though because the evil one does not like souls consecrated to the Mother of God. Our Lady will keep you beneath her mantle but you must do your part through praying the Rosary and living out the consecration daily. She will not remove her mantle but we can run out from under it. It is a wonderful devotion and great graces flow from Our Lady. Rosary beads only work as a effective weapon if used- if they just collect dust or lint from a pocket they don’t work to well. May God grant you the grace to undertake this great devotion and come closer to Him. You can do this and you can become a great Saint with Our Lady’s help. May God bless you for this task you are about to undertake.

 

[momof8]

Dear Ed,

I was so pleased to find this message by doing a search of the form archives. I have made the Total Consecration and desire to live it fully. But I have been very confused on so many points. Could you clarify the point made in your quote above?

I have a booklet from a prayer society who aim is to increase vocations. The booklet says that if I join, in addition to saying varioius prayers daily, it is suggested that I say a daily offering. The offering begins, “O my God, I choose this day to offer You all my works, prayers, joys, and sufferings - all that I have, all that I am - for the intention of many more vacation to the priesthood and religious life.”

Now I would think that that would not be a prayer that I could offer anymore, since I have already given “all that I have, all that I am” to the Blessed Virgin. But from the passage you quote in your message, I could dedicate my prayers, Communion, Mass, etc for the intention of an increase in vocations. I just could not be certain that that is where Mary would use those offerings. Is that correct?

This is important to me, because I see so many things I’d like to pray for but don’t, for instance I don’t offer any Masses for Holy Souls because I’ve been thinking that all of my Masses are already given directly to Mary. I do ask her to bring many of the Holy Souls to heaven, but I don’t offer the Mass for them. Is this correct? I’ve also read that we could offer a Mass we’re hearing (that is, participating in) for the saint of the day or in honor of our Guardian Angel, but I don’t do that, either. But I can still ask Mary to honor my Guardian Angel.

I just want to see my Consecration in the correct light, being sure to give everything to Mary and yet not giving up on other devotions. Can you tell me if you think I"m seeing the Consecration correctly?

I’ve printed out David Hughes’ adaptation of the Scret of True Devotion. I’m sure that will be helpful but may be back for more questions!

Thank you!

God bless,
Sharon