consecration to Mary.

[theculturewarrior]

Hey...Corban's post in the picture thread really touched me. I think this is exactly the devotion I need. (Thanks Corban!)

How many of you all are consecrated to Mary? I want to be, but I'm short on time and money re: "True Devotion to Mary." Does consecration entail reading the book first? I am going to get my hands on that book someday, but entail then, can I still consecrate myself to her?

(I really just want to wear a cool chain. JK!!!)

[Christina]

I am consecrated to Jesus thru Mary using St. Louis de Montfort's formula as is the Holy Father. Yes, it is recommended that you read True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary first before you start the consecration. You can read it on line [url="http://www.kensmen.com/catholic/totalconsecrationmontfort.html"]here[/url] for free.

[theculturewarrior]

Google failed me!



*questions future career in Library Science*

Thanks for the link. I'm adding it to my favorites, to be read at work when I should be doing other things.

[theculturewarrior]

Can I consecrate myself on the Feast of the Visitation?

[theculturewarrior]

Feb 20 is a Sunday, and Annunciation is on Good Friday this year. I've got to do it during Lent.

[Dave]

Another way you can totally consecrate yourself to Our Lady is St. Maximilian Kolbe's way. Check it out: www.consecration.com

That one doesn't require such a long period of preparation. A lot of people on here are consecrated to Our Lady that way.

[theculturewarrior]

do I get to wear a chain? :thinking:

[corban711]

yeah you can consecrate yourself and wear the chain still. the whole preparation that St. Louis de Montfort is not necessary to consecration. his book will just help you understand and live it better. however...anything by st. maximilian kolbe will teach you and prepare you just as well. in the mean time, you can just throw yourself in the arms of your mother with absolute trust in her to bring you to Jesus. you don't need preparation to entrust your life to her. just do it! here is St. Max's prayer of Consecration to Mary:

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to thee. I, N___, a repentant sinner, cast myself at thy feet humbly imploring thee to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to thyself as thy possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases thee. If it pleases thee, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of thee: "She will crush your head," and, "Thou alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world."

Let me be a fit instrument in thine Immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed Kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever thou enters, one obtains the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through thy hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

V. Allow me to praise thee O Sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

[theculturewarrior]

I've been looking at my calendar. I'm swamped! (I'm a graduate student and I work full-time. :skitzo: )

I figured out that if I read one chapter of True Devotion every Sunday, I'll have time to prepare myself the 33 days before the Feast of the Visitation...when I would have more leisure time. (It's also the Feast of Corpus Christi I think...even better. )

I'm imagining telling my boss why I'm wearing a chain. "Well...I'm a slave."

[Tony]

there is the morning offering

"O Jesus,
through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer You my prayers, works,
joys and sufferings
of this day for all the intentions
of Your Sacred Heart,
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
throughout the world,
in reparation for my sins,
for the intentions of all my relatives and friends,
and in particular
for the intentions of the Holy Father.

Amen. "

[corban711]

yeah..the Visitation would be a great day to do it. you can actually just pray the prayer of Consecration and you will be consecrated...but i say a short prayer renewing it everyday as a morning prayer. but it would also be good to do some reading about it like you have said....and to consecrate yourself on a big Feast like that. that way you will celebrate it every year on that feast day. but i re-consecrate myself everyday because consecration to Mary has been one of the greatest gifts of my whole life. Mary is so good to me...

[Tony]

and one assosiated with the Brown Scapular:
O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary (here kiss your Scapular as a sign of your consecration; partial indulgence also), I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus from all the altars throughout the world, joining with It the offering of my every thought, word and action of this day. O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit I can and I offer them together with myself, to Mary Immaculate, that she may best apply them in the interest of Thy most Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

[theculturewarrior]

Thanks Corban. This has become my light at the end of the tunnel.

[corban711]

Here is the prayer i say each morning:

Mary, my Queen and my Mother, I give myself entirely to you. In proof of my affection, I give to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Since I am your own, keep me and guard me as your property and posession.

that is a short version, slightly modified from a more popular version that is prayed. oh yes...and the "slave" chain is actually a great witness. the chain is what got you interested too and it is a great conversation starter because many people ask me about it. depending on how much they want to hear...you can give different good answers about it. just to let you know...st. louis de montfort explains the difference between his "holy" slavery (which is really a bond of love) and slavery how we think of it. many people i know have been turned off when i use the word slave because how we think of it and they don't always want to hear the explanation. so, i usually say that it is something me and some friends from youth group did as a sign of our love for God and to bring us together.

[corban711]

you're welcome! it has been the light at the end of my tunnel too. it is so beautiful. i love being consecrated to Her and spreading this devotion too. because She has helped me so much. it is like when i was younger and i would fall and get scraped up or all dirty...my mom would show me special attention and clean me up before dad saw me that way. so Mary...seeing us in weakness actually loves us more...shows us more attention in order to "clean us up" to appear before our Father. she is so good!


and thank you tony for posting those great prayers too!