Grace Thompson
Consecration to Mary is a devotion practised by Catholics. It is a personal or collective act of dedication to the Virgin Mary, with the ultimate goal of enhancing one's consecration to God. The act of consecration involves surrendering oneself to Mary's care and protection, seeking her maternal blessings. While some may view it as Mariolatry, Catholics believe that devotion to Mary is a means to a deeper relationship with Jesus. The practice has a long history, with early Jesuit missionaries consecrating their missions to Mary Immaculate, and it continues today with various Catholic societies and individuals consecrating themselves or their dioceses to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of Consecration | "To make holy" and to be set apart for God, that is a total surrender to the Will of God |
| Purpose | To keep drawing souls closer to her Son, Jesus Christ |
| Consecration to Mary | An act of accepting her help to offer ourselves and mankind to God; entrusting our lives to Mary's care to achieve our goal of union with God |
| Not Idolatry | Marian consecration is not idolatry as Catholics do not worship Mary as a divine being |
| History | The beginnings of the notion of "belonging to Mary" can be seen in the writings of Ephrem the Syrian in the 4th century; a form of personal consecration to Mary dates back to the 5th century |
| Recent Examples | In 2017, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops suggested local ordinaries consecrate their respective dioceses to the Immaculate Heart of Mary; Pope Benedict XVI consecrated all priests to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 2010 |
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What You'll Learn
Marian consecration is not idolatry
Marian consecration, or consecration to the Virgin Mary, is a personal or collective act of devotion among Catholics. It is not a sacrament, but a spiritual practice. Over the centuries, a number of Marian movements and societies have been consecrated to the Virgin Mary. The practice involves giving one's life over to Mary, asking for her maternal blessing and protection, and entrusting oneself into her care as our spiritual mother.
Some may object to Marian consecration, arguing that it constitutes idolatry. However, this is a misunderstanding of the practice. When Catholics consecrate themselves to Mary, they are not giving their lives over to her as if she were God. All consecration is ultimately made to God, and Marian consecration does not diminish or substitute the love of God but enhances it. By drawing closer to Mary, Catholics believe they are also drawing closer to her Son, Jesus Christ, and thus deepening their love for him.
The practice of Marian consecration is rooted in the Bible. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus said to his mother Mary and the Apostle John at the foot of the cross, "Woman, behold your son," and to John, "Behold your mother" (John 19:26-27). In this act, Jesus gave us the gift of his mother as our spiritual mother.
Marian consecration is also reflected in the writings of Ephrem the Syrian in the 4th century and practiced as early as the 5th century by those called "servants of Mary." The theologian Garrigou-Lagrange designated personal consecration to Mary as the highest level among Marian devotions. Pope St. John Paul II, who had a personal consecration to Mary, reflected this in his motto, "Totally Yours."
In conclusion, Marian consecration is not idolatry but a spiritual practice that enhances one's devotion to God through drawing closer to Mary and, by extension, her Son, Jesus Christ. It is a means of deepening one's relationship with Jesus and experiencing the joy and peace that come from knowing him more fully.
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The history of consecration to Mary
The act of consecrating cities and regions dates back at least to the 9th century, when Abbo Cernuus of Saint-Germain-des-Prés composed a poem attributing the failure of the Vikings in the Siege of Paris (885–886) to the consecration of the city to the Virgin Mary and her protection. During the Medieval period, towns, cities, abbeys, and religious orders began to consecrate themselves to the Virgin Mary to seek her protection. In the 12th century, Cîteaux Abbey in France used the motif of the "protective mantle" of the Virgin Mary, which shielded the kneeling abbots and abbesses.
In the 11th century, Odilo at the Cluny Abbey in France began to spread the formal practice of personal consecration to Mary. In the 12th century, the Cistercian orders began consecrating themselves to Mary, first individually and then as a group, and this practice then spread to other orders. The 17th century saw the adoption of the custom of consecrating the month of May to the Blessed Virgin. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the traditions of Marian consecration grew, and by 1860, First Communion in France included an act of consecration to the Virgin Mary.
In the early 20th century, Maximilian Kolbe, called the "Apostle of Consecration to Mary", began a vigorous program of promoting consecration to the Immaculata. The term "consecration" was used by French saints, especially John Eudes and Louis de Montfort, in a particular way. Pope John Paul II tried to vary the term so that it could be more easily understood by using the term "entrustment".
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The act of consecration
The practice of consecration to Mary has a long history in the Catholic Church. Early Jesuit missionaries consecrated their missions to Mary Immaculate, and Marian movements and societies have continued this tradition over the centuries. Theologians like Maximilian Kolbe, also known as the "Apostle of Consecration to Mary", have promoted consecration to the Immaculata. Pope St. John Paul II, with his motto "Totus Tuus" ("Totally Yours"), also reflected his personal consecration to Mary.
Through consecration to Mary, individuals seek her guidance, protection, and blessings. They recognise her role as the Mediatrix of All Graces and believe that she will lead them closer to her Son, Jesus Christ. This act of entrustment is not seen as idolatry but as a means to achieve union with Christ. By consecrating themselves to Mary, Catholics believe they are following Jesus' example of entrusting John into Mary's care at the foot of the cross.
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The purpose of Mary
In the Catholic tradition, Mary is seen as having a special role in leading people to her son. This is reflected in the words of Jesus on the cross, when he said to Mary and the Apostle John, "Woman, behold your son," and to John, "Behold your mother" (John 19:26-27). By these words, Jesus gave Mary to humanity as their spiritual mother.
Marian consecration is an act of entrusting oneself to Mary's care and guidance, seeking her protection and maternal blessing. It is believed that Mary is united to the will of God more closely than any other human being, and by consecrating oneself to her, one can be led closer to God. This devotion to Mary is seen as a means to achieving union with Christ, who provides access to God.
The act of consecration to Mary involves a substantial period of prayer and preparation. It is often done in small groups or parishes, and individuals may seek guidance through books or other resources. The process can include spiritual reading, the Rosary, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. On the day of consecration, individuals may attend Mass and recite an Act of Consecration, giving themselves wholeheartedly to Mary and seeking her guidance on the path to holiness.
Marian consecration has a long history in the Catholic Church, with the practice dating back to the 5th century, where its practitioners were called "servants of Mary". Throughout the centuries, various popes and bishops have consecrated the Catholic Church, countries, cities, and regions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, emphasizing her role as an intercessor and protector.
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Consecration and entrustment
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments clarifies that the term "consecration" in this context is used in a broad and non-technical sense. It involves placing oneself under the protection of Mary and asking for her maternal blessing. This act of consecration to Mary has taken place from three perspectives: personal, societal, and regional, and under different titles such as the Immaculate Conception, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and Mother of the Church.
The beginnings of the notion of "belonging to Mary" can be traced back to the writings of Ephrem the Syrian in the 4th century, and a form of personal consecration to Mary dates back to the 5th century, where practitioners were called "servants of Mary." Over the centuries, various Marian movements and societies have been consecrated to the Virgin Mary, such as the Marianist Fathers and the Marian societies like the Sodality of Our Lady.
On October 8, 2000, Pope John Paul II and the bishops consecrated and entrusted themselves, the Catholic Church, and the world to Mary in the new millennium. This act of consecration and entrustment is a way to seek Mary's intercession and protection, recognizing her role as the Mother of God and our spiritual mother. It is believed that by entrusting oneself to Mary, one is led closer to her Son, Jesus Christ, and a deeper relationship with Him.
Preparing for consecration involves spiritual reading, praying the Rosary, and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. On the day of consecration, one may attend Mass and recite an official Act of Consecration, giving oneself wholeheartedly to Mary and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide one's path to holiness.
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Frequently asked questions
Consecration means "to make holy" and to be set apart for God. By consecrating oneself to Mary, Catholics are asking her to take care of them and guide them to her son, Jesus Christ.
No, Catholics do not worship Mary as a divine being. The consecration to Mary is ultimately made to God, with the understanding that Mary always leads us to Jesus.
Consecration to Mary involves prayer and self-sacrifice. Preparation for consecration can include spiritual reading, the Rosary, and the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. On the day of consecration, one might attend Mass and recite an official Act of Consecration, giving oneself wholeheartedly to Mary.
