On September 4, 2013 approximately 1,400 of us embarked on a 33 day journey that was designed to prepare us for making (or renewing) our Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. Using Fr. Michael Gaitley’s book, 33 Days To Morning Glory, we committed to a daily study of the teachings of St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Blessed Pope John Paul II. Using my daily radio show, I read and discussed the meditations on the air each day. Congratulations, my friends, we made it through and the BIG DAY is just about here. On October 7th (the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary), we will make (or renew) our Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary! Before we do, however, let’s review some of the key concepts that we discussed during our journey:
St. Louis de Montfort
Passion – Are we prepared to give ourselves to Mary with great zeal?
Baptism – Total Consecration will allow us to better live out our baptismal promises.
Gift – The more we give ourselves to Mary, the more we’ll experience the greatness of this gift.
St. Maximilian Kolbe
Mystery – We’re invited to ponder the relationship between Mary and the Holy Spirit.
Militia – Although the goal of Kolbe’s program is the conversion of the whole world, it begins with one person.
Love – We should love Mary by trusting in her, speaking to her and letting ourselves be led by her.
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Thirst – Jesus thirsts for our love. We can satiate his thirst by loving others.
Heart – We must let Our Lady lend us her heart and allow ourselves to enter her heart.
Covenant – When we make our Total Consecration, we have certain responsibilities and Mary has certain responsibilities.
Blessed Pope John Paul II
Mother – The Church points to Mary’s maternal mediation and tells us that she’s our spiritual mother.
Entrust-acration – Through Total Consecration, we officially let Mary into our lives.
Mercy – Marian Consecration leads us to Divine Mercy.
Now, in case you need it, here is the Consecration prayer…
I, ___________________________ , a repentant sinner, renew and ratify today in your hands, O, Immaculate Mother, the vows of my Baptism. I renounce Satan and resolve to follow Jesus Christ even more closely than before. Mary, I give you my heart. Please set it on fire with love for Jesus. Make it always attentive to his burning thirst for love and for souls. Keep my heart in your most pure Heart that I may love Jesus and the members of his Body with your own perfect love.
Mary, I entrust myself totally to you: my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions. Please make of me, of all that I am and have, whatever most pleases you. Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for bringing the greatest possible glory to God. If I fall, please lead me back to Jesus. Wash me in the blood and water that flow from his pierced side, and help me never to lose my trust in this fountain of love and mercy.
With you, O Immaculate Mother – you who always do the will of God – I unite myself to the perfect consecration of Jesus as he offers himself in the Spirit to the Father for the life of the world. Amen.
Thank you Gary. I will tune back in. May God bless you and your ministry.