WHAT MAKES TOTAL CONSECRATION SO SPECIAL?
I know that there are many forms of consecration to Our Lady. What makes the Montfort form of consecration so special that Pope John Paul II says it is taught in all the seminaries in Poland?
Pope John Paul II recommends the Montfortian form of consecration to Jesus through Mary, not only to the seminarians of Poland, but seminarians and priests throughout the world. He has personal experience of its value and knows how much it helps in the spiritual formation.
What appeals to the Holy Father in this form of consecration is St. Louis de Montfort’s statement that it is a perfect renewal of the promises we make in baptism. “Before baptism,” Montfort explains, “every Christian was a slave of the devil because he belonged to him. At baptism he has either personally, or through his sponsors, solemnly renounced Satan, his seductions and his works. He has chosen Jesus as his Master and his sovereign Lord and undertaken to depend upon Him as a slave of love.”
Montfort calls his form of consecration a “perfect renewal” of these promises because, by it, we give everything we have to Jesus through Mary, including the value of our prayers and good works. It is this total belonging to Jesus and Mary that gives special efficacy to the apostolate and ministry of priests.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CONSECRATED TO MARY?
A. 1. In summary, when one consecrates himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he promises to become dependent on her in all things: to offer all his prayers and oblations to God through Mary, and to seek every gift from God through Mary. Catholics do this with the greatest confidence. Since Mary is our mother, she knows our needs better than we; and since she is Queen of Heaven, she has immediate access to the infinite treasury of graces in the Kingdom of her Divine Son.
The process of Total Consecration to Mary was introduced by Saint Louis de Montfort in the early part of the 18th century. The heart of Montfort’s classic work “True Devotion to Mary” is a formal act of consecration to Mary, so through her, one can be consecrated to Christ.
The Vatican’s guidelines for Marian consecrations state: “Louis Grignon de Montfort is one of the great masters of the spirituality underlying the act of “consecration to Mary”. He proposed to the faithful consecration to Jesus through Mary, as an effective way of living out their baptismal commitment.” [“Consecration and Entrustment to Mary”, § 204, Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, Vatican.]
Montfort’s process of Total Consecration has seven elements and effects:
• knowledge of one’s unworthiness,
• sharing in Mary’s faith,
• the gift of pure love,
• unlimited confidence in God and Mary,
• communication of the Spirit of Mary,
• transformation into the likeness of Jesus,
• and bringing more glory to Christ.
A number of different prayers may be used as part of the consecration to the Virgin Mary. The “Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary” appears in the official Raccolta book of indulgenced prayers.
ABOUT THE CONSECRATION
This is a formal consecration to Our Lady, not unlike a vow. It has to be done in a solemn manner. Through this program, you are giving Mary all of yourself – heart, mind, and soul – in order to bring you to her Son, Jesus Christ.
It includes an initial 12-day preparation followed by a period of three consecutive weeks of prayer and meditation, each week focusing on a different theme. In the First Week, the soul strives to acquire a better knowledge of self; in the Second Week, of Mary; in the Third Week, of Jesus Christ.
The length of time devoted through the preliminary period may vary according to one’s personal needs and circumstances.
“Happy are the faithful slaves of the Queen of Heaven, for they will enjoy true freedom.” – St. Cecilia to Mother Agnes of Jesus, as quoted by St. Louis de Montfort
“The Immaculate alone has from God the promise of victory over Satan. She seeks souls that will consecrate themselves entirely to her, that will become in her hands’ forceful instruments for the defeat of Satan and the spread of God’s kingdom.” – St. Maximilian Kolbe
IF YOU MISS A DAY, DONT GIVE UP!
It is not a requirement to do all 33 days of prep in order to do the consecration. you can do multiple days at a time. Circumstances come up, but do plan your day. If it means getting up 15 minutes earlier to get your prayers in, do so, even if it means getting to bed 30 minutes earlier. If you do miss a day, do read the reflection as it builds each day.
FIND A TIME DURING THE DAY THAT YOU WILL HAVE A HIGH PROBABILITY OF GETTING THROUGH THE PRAYERS
In the beginning you may only need about 10-15 minutes. Later, the Rosary is added to the daily regimen. Towards the end, with the Rosary, you will need about 30 minutes, but remember this is for 33 days and is not something you will be required to continue. But, the Rosary should follow you into your spiritual life. If you struggle with praying the Rosary, I recommend using the mysteries as they are found at the Rosary Confraternity’s website because they have a scriptural reflection for each of the Hail Mary’s in every mystery.
MANY PEOPLE START OUT ENTHUSIASTICALLY, BUT THEN FAIL TO FINISH DUE TO LACK OF TIME
You have to ask if you really need that prime-time television program, or if you need to spend all that time on the web, or doing some other activity, which is part of the purging process. It’s sad when we can’t find 15-30 minutes daily to give to God, our Creator, but can place ourselves in front of a TV or computer for hours daily.
START YOUR DAILY PREPARATION WITH PRAYER TO THE BLESSED MOTHER AND TO YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL TO AID YOU WITH UNDERSTANDING
Also ask them to give you the grace of accepting those things you do not understand, based on faith. Often times, when we submit ourselves humbly, the understanding is infused at a time we don’t expect, such as while standing in line at a grocery store, or while working in the workshop. Don’t hesitate to turn to Catholic forums to ask questions about what you are reading, but again – seek out sources well versed in Marian devotion
WHY WAS I CHOSEN FOR THIS DEVOTION?
Because Jesus and Mary love you in a very special way and have chosen you.
KEY FACTOR OF OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE
Mary is the key factor
CAN I DO THIS CONSECRATION ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON?
This Consecration can only be performed by you for yourself.
MUST DO TO HAVE A PROPER CONSECRATION
You must complete the following for your Consecration to be complete and valid:
- A substantial period of prayerful preparation (typically 33 days) – daily prayers and readings
- attend confession no more than one week prior
- attend mass on your consecration day
- receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist on your consecration day
- A final prayer — the Act of Consecration itself — to be said on the day of the consecration.
- A persistent spirit of trust in Mary’s motherly care and intercession, to endure for the rest of your life.
DOES THIS MEAN THAT I AM MAKING MARY MORE IMPORTAN THAN GOD HIMSELF?
I can see why it might seem that way, especially to someone who’s new to the idea of consecration. But the answer is an emphatic no. Mary’s goal, while alive, was simply to live in union with God, and now that she’s in Heaven, she has the same goal for each of us. If we consecrate ourselves to Mary, it’s not with the intention of replacing God but rather, of allowing Mary to bring us closer to him, as other servants of the Lord, committed to doing his will in the world.
Godly Women with Faith Catholic Ministry 