Joshua Bennett
Marian consecration is a personal or collective act of devotion among Catholics, where an individual dedicates themselves to the Virgin Mary. This act of consecration is believed to enhance one's love for God, with the ultimate goal of leading every individual to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pope John Paul II encouraged Marian consecrations, and individuals can consecrate themselves multiple times. The Militia of the Immaculata (MI) is a Vatican-approved association that encourages all people to develop a relationship with Mary, and members engage in apostolic initiatives to spread devotion to her. To consecrate oneself, one can pray for 33 days, drawing from Scripture, St. Louis de Montfort's True Devotion to Mary, and Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of consecration | Personal or collective act of devotion among Catholics |
| Who can consecrate? | Individuals, the Pope, Marian societies |
| Requirements | Prayer, self-sacrifice, apostolic initiatives |
| Duration | 33 days of preparation |
| Example prayers | St. Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary, Thomas à Kempis’ Imitation of Christ |
| Example consecrators | Maximilian Kolbe, Mother Teresa, Pope St. |
| Example days for consecration | Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Feast of the Visitation |
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What You'll Learn
Pray for 33 days
Praying for 33 days is a traditional preparation for the Act of Consecration. During this time, you can pray for Mary's intercession and guidance to help you grow in your understanding of her and of Christ.
The 33-day journey to Marian consecration can be done through St. Louis de Montfort's "True Devotion to Mary", Thomas à Kempis' "Imitation of Christ", or the more recent "33 Days to Morning Glory" by the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. The latter is a do-it-yourself retreat that can be easily followed and put into practice, even for busy people. It is centered around the book "33 Days to Morning Glory", which is available in English and Spanish. The program consists of reading, pondering, and meeting. There are short, daily reflections to read and ponder, and the meeting portion can be done at home with your family or with your Small Christian Community.
During the first 12 days of Marian consecration, you can pray the following four prayers: Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and the Glory Be. From days 13 to 26, you can pray the Litany of the Holy Ghost, Litany of Loreto, Ave Maris Stella, and St. Louis de Montfort’s Prayer to Mary. On days 27 to 33, you can pray the Litany of the Holy Ghost, Litany of Loreto, Ave Maris Stella, the Rosary, and St. Louis de Montfort’s Prayer to Mary.
After 33 days of preparation, it is time to make the formal Act of Consecration. In True Devotion to Mary, St. Louis de Montfort urges those making the Act of Consecration to engage in spiritual penance, such as fasting, almsgiving, or praying intentionally for someone.
Additionally, there are a few other recommendations for the final days of preparation. These include making a good confession and getting a miraculous medal to wear around your neck as a sign of your consecration.
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![Mary Day by Day: Marian Meditations for Every Day Taken from the Holy Bible and the Writings of the Saints [Imitation Leather] Fehrenbach, Charles G](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814JOrCvxeL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Trust in Mary's motherly care
Trusting in Mary's motherly care is a key part of Marian consecration in the Catholic Church. This involves a total gift of oneself to Mary, offering all prayers, intentions, sacrifices, and gifts, to allow her to form you into a saint.
Mary is seen as a spiritual mother to all Catholics, as when Jesus gave her to the disciple John from the Cross, he made her the mother of all. This is reflected in the prayer, "Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need… cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life... Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of His children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life." Mary is also referred to as the Mother of God, and the Mother of fair love, and Catholics fly to her protection in times of danger and need.
Mary is seen as a way to Jesus, a reflection of him, and a way to show us the Way. She is also seen as a prayer warrior, interceding for us before the Father and Son, and praying with us and for us. This is reflected in the Rosary, a spiritual bouquet given to the Blessed Mother, which is an excellent form of prayer.
Pope John Paul II recommended an "act of entrustment" to Mary, reflecting his belief in her importance. Devotion to Mary is not a new phenomenon, with roots going back to at least John Damascene, who died in 750.
Marian consecration is a way to deepen one's faith and trust in Mary's motherly care, and to grow in understanding of her role as a spiritual mother.
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Understand Mary's role as a spiritual mother
Mary is the spiritual mother of all Catholics. She is the Mother of Jesus, and because of this, she is also the Mother of the Catholic Church and the Mother of all the faithful.
Mary is an example of unwavering faith and trust in God. She is a model of charity and faith, and she is a "preeminent and wholly unique member of the Church". She is the "exemplary realization" of the Church. Her motherhood in the order of grace began with her consent at the Annunciation and continues uninterruptedly.
Mary is always ready to help her spiritual children. She intercedes for us in prayer and bestows graces on us from God. She is the person closest to God and Jesus. No other human was as close to Jesus as she was. She is the Mother of God and remained a virgin in conceiving her Son, in giving birth to him, in carrying him, and in nursing him at her breast.
Mary is a mediatrix of grace, meaning that she dispenses graces to us that God gives to her for this purpose. She wants to see all of us love God and listen to her Son. She helps us to do this in any way she can.
By consecrating yourself to Mary, you become a member of an international spiritual family sharing in her maternal mission for the conversion and sanctification of all souls.
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Join the Militia of the Immaculata (MI)
The Militia of the Immaculata is a worldwide evangelization movement founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe in 1917. It encourages total consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a means of personal conversion and sanctification, and of spiritual renewal of society. The MI is open to all Catholics over 7 years old—laity, clergy, and consecrated persons.
The MI's mission is to win the entire world for the Immaculata and, through her, for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is achieved through prayer and self-sacrifice as the main tools in the spiritual battle for the victory of good over evil. As Marian missionary disciples, MI members also engage in apostolic initiatives throughout society, either individually or in groups, to give witness to the Lord and our Catholic Faith and to spread devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To join the MI, you should:
- Select the date on which you want your name recorded in the official register of the MI, preferably a Marian feast day, and fill out the enrollment form.
- Prepare for your consecration and enrollment by engaging in spiritual reading, the Rosary, and the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation on or shortly before the day of your enrollment.
- On the day of your MI enrollment, attend Holy Mass (if possible) and recite the Official MI Act of Consecration, composed by St. Maximilian. Give yourself wholeheartedly to Our Lady to let the Holy Spirit guide you on the path to holiness with her!
- Wear a Miraculous Medal as a sign of your belonging to the MI, and give them out to others.
- Get involved and attend MI local events, if possible.
By joining the MI, you become a member of an international spiritual family sharing in the maternal mission of Mary for the conversion and sanctification of all souls.
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Learn from the examples of St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Mother Teresa, and Pope St
St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Mother Teresa, and Pope St. John Paul II are all figures who have demonstrated a strong devotion to Mary. Here are some lessons that can be drawn from their examples:
St. Louis de Montfort
St. Louis de Montfort, who died in 1716, is known for his devotion to Mary and his total consecration to her. He wrote the book "True Devotion to Mary," which was published posthumously in 1843 and became an instant success. In this book, de Montfort emphasised the importance of a relationship with Mary as a path to Jesus. The book complements de Montfort's other works, "The Secret of the Rosary" and "The Secret of Mary."
St. Maximilian Kolbe
St. Maximilian Kolbe was a devout follower of Marian devotion, which emphasises the role of the Virgin Mary as a mediator between humans and Jesus. In his letters, St. Maximilian Kolbe emphasised that belonging to the Immaculate, or Mary, leads one closer to Jesus and, ultimately, God. He taught that peace comes from wanting to belong to Jesus through Mary, rather than from understanding or feeling it emotionally.
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa had a deep devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. She is known for her prayer to Mary, in which she asks for Mary's heart so that she may receive Jesus in the Bread of Life, love Him, and serve Him by serving the poorest of the poor. Mother Teresa's prayer reflects her desire to emulate Mary's love, purity, and humility in her service to others.
Pope St. John Paul II
Pope St. John Paul II had a strong devotion to Mary, as evidenced by his papal motto, "Totus Tuus," which means "Totally Yours." He encouraged Catholics to make an "act of entrustment" to Mary and stressed the importance of developing a relationship with her as the Mother of God. Following in the footsteps of St. Louis de Montfort, Pope John Paul II's religious beliefs were influenced by the book "True Devotion to Mary."
In summary, these four figures exemplify the importance of devotion to Mary as a path to a deeper relationship with Jesus and God. Their teachings and examples can guide those seeking to reconsecrate themselves to Mary in the Catholic tradition.
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Frequently asked questions
Marian consecration is a personal or collective act of devotion among Catholics, where an individual dedicates themselves to the Virgin Mary.
You can consecrate yourself to Mary through 33 days of prayer, asking Mary to help form you into a saint by her faithful example. You can pray the traditional 33 days of preparation for the Act of Consecration, or the more recent and popular 33 Days to Morning Glory. On the day of the consecration, you can say a final prayer—preferably on a Marian Feast Day.
Marian consecration is ultimately made to God, with the belief that it will enhance the love of God. The goal of Marian consecration is the conversion and sanctification of all people and, ultimately, the universal reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In 1942, Pope Pius XII made a solemn act of consecration of the Catholic Church and the whole world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In 2000, Pope John Paul II and the bishops consecrated and entrusted themselves, the Catholic Church, and the new millennium to Mary.
