Marian Consecration
To end our year of Prayer for forming Missionary Disciples, Bishop Boyea has asked us all to consecrate ourselves to Mary.
What is Marian Consecration?
St. Louis de Montfort (1673 – 1716) had a profound devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and wrote extensively on the virtues of Our Lady, what true devotion to her consists in, and how the faithful need to turn to her as the way to her Son, Jesus Christ. Marian consecration is the act of entrusting one’s body, soul, possessions, works, and entire life to the protection, guidance, and intercession of Our Lady.
Totus tuus was Saint John Paul II’s apostolic motto. It is a Latin phrase meaning “totally yours” and expressed his personal Consecration to Mary
How do I consecrate myself?
The method of consecration set forth by St. Louis de Montfort is presented in the book True Devotion
to Mary (see Additional Resources section below). This act of consecration is a specific 33-day program consisting of various prayers and readings to help the faithful detach themselves from the world and bond themselves more closely with Christ through the example and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
When is the consecration at St Thomas?
Preparation will start on Friday, November 29th, 2019. After the 33 day preparatory period, the Act of Consecration is made on the 34th day, a Marian feast day. Our parish consecration will take place on January 1st, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, following each mass.
Preparation Prayers
Below you will find a link to the prayers for each day of the consecration preparation period according to St. Louis de Montfort.
January 1st: Total Act of Consecration Prayer
What Do I Need to Start My Marian Consecration?
To complete a Marian consecration, you really just need a willing heart. Just begin with a desire to know Jesus more deeply through His Mother.
You’ll probably also want a guide.
St. Louis de Montfort’s is the original preparation for Total Consecration and has been used for decades. Options to obtain his preparation materials for consecration:
1) Use the links provided in this post for your daily prayers
2) Obtain his classic writings (The Secret of Mary, The Secret of the Rosary, and True Devotion to Mary)
3) Download this printable PDF version that compiles all the prayers for you.
St. Maximilian Kolbe’s 9-day formal consecration to Mary is also beloved by many.
In more recent years, Fr. Michael Gaitley wrote 33 Days to Morning Glory, which focuses on the Marian spiritualities of four Saints.
Formed.org has a five video series that walks you through Fr. Michael Gaitley’s consecration preparation.