
no. 36: marian consecration
St. Louis de Montfort was a huge proponent of Marian Consecration. I first heard of this practice at my previous parish in their Women’s Group, but never thought it was for me. Then in Advent 2014 I decided to use the preparation as my daily prayer for the season. My consecration day is January 1st and I was at the National Shrine in DC that day in 2015, so I was able to formally make my consecration in Our Lady’s Shrine!
I used both of these books the first year because I needed to learn more about the consecration (33 Days to Morning Glory is great for that), but wanted a more rigorous prayer plan that that book offers. The St. Louis de Montfort book is very rigorous, so that was no problem.
After I finished my consecration I wanted a way to never forget what I did. I’ve decided to do two things:
- I renew each year by doing either or both books in preparation during Advent (Nov 29th to Jan 1st for the 33 days). This is a strong recommendation from St. Louis de Montfort just like we would renew any vows we make to one another or to the Lord.
- I read that JPII prayed the long form consecration prayer every day – that seemed a little much for me, but I do pray a longer renewal each morning and a quicker renewal each evening as part of my prayer routine.
Morning: I, NAME, unfaithful and sinful as I am, today take your hands in mine, and renew and rectify my baptismal promises, renouncing for ever Satan, all his seductions and all his works, and making a total donation of myself to Jesus Christ, Wisdom Incarnate, with the intention of carrying my cross in his footsteps all the days of my life and of being more faithful to him than I have been until now. Today, with the whole court of heaven to witness, I choose you for my Mother and Queen. As your slave, I deliver up and dedicate to you my body, my soul, all my spiritual and temporal possessions, including even the rewards of any good action of mine, past, present or future, with the right to make use of me and what is mine, without exception, as you think best for the greater glory of God in time and eternity. AMEN.
Evening: Mary, my Mother, I give myself totally to you as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all that I am and have, whatever most pleases you. Let me be a fit instrument and merciful hands for bringing the greatest possible glory to God.