What is Consecration? Webster's Dictionary defines it as: to make or declare sacred; to devote irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony. After these 33 days, we will be ready to FORMALLY give ourselves, to formally devote ourselves to Jesus and Mary, and this will be done through a ceremony. This is LIKE a vow. It really is a natural step for those of us who want to grow deeper in our faith and in our relationship with Jesus. By formally giving and consecrating ourselves to Jesus thru Mary, we are, ultimately, in my opinion, declaring that WE want to be holy, that WE want to be saints, and that we will attain this through the help of Mary.
St. Louis de Montfort lived in the late 1800s. He is the first person to outline and write out this way to devote and formally consecrate ourselves to Jesus and Mary. In his writing, “True Devotion to Mary”, he makes the point that, compared to God, Mary is a creature, she is really truly nothing compared to the great all powerful God, Creator of the Universe. God truly had no NEED for Mary. BUT the will of God was to raise up Mary when it was His decision to give the world the Only-Begotten Son through Her. God chose to make Mary necessary by choosing her to be the vessel by which the Incarnation happened!!
St. Louis de Montfort says, “The world was unworthy...to receive the Son of God directly from the Father’s hands. He gave Him to Mary in order that the world might receive him from her. The Son of God became man for our salvation; but was in Mary and by Mary.”IT WAS THROUGH MARY THAT SALVATION WAS BEGUN…So it is through Mary that salvation will be won for us, on the daily journey of life. And it will be through Mary that Christ’s final victory will take place!
Because Mary was going to play such a pivotal role in our salvation, God granted her many gifts and graces, which she now has the ability to give to US. We will learn more about this as we go...But trust me when I say, that she has an amazing gift to be able to mold us to be more like her son and more like herself, for they are both FULL OF GRACE AND VIRTUE.
If you think about it, Mary had an intense union with her son. She was the perfect mother to him and he was the perfect son to her. If there is anyone who has walked this earth who is intimate with Jesus, it is Mary. She had and still has the most perfect union with Jesus that is humanly possible. So let’s take advantage of her help! Let’s devote ourselves to her so that we can, ultimately, give ourselves more perfectly to Jesus!!!
At the end of these 33 Days, we won’t be ending a process, WE WILL BE BEGINNING a relationship with Mary and a deeper one with Jesus. You should devote yourself to some kind of formal prayers to Mary and you should devote yourself to continuing to study Mary and learn about her virtues. You will not be a perfect son/daughter of Mary, but we should strive!
This book by Fr. Gaitley is a simple, refreshing journey to Mary. St. Louis de Montfort is INTENSE, even for me at times. So this one that Fr. Gaitley has done is an introduction. Like I said, it is a starting point. He takes the wisdom of St. Louis, and adds St. Kolbe, Mr. Theresa, and St. John Paul II.
We will read from the book everyday and then journal and pray about our readings and what Christ is putting on our hearts. This is pivotal, because I believe it will really deepen your relationship to Jesus and Mary.
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