A friend from our bible study group invited me to do the Marian Consecration during the Advent. It’s a 6-week program, so it’s great to do for Advent. We’ll use the book 33 Days to Morning Glory (Fr. Michael Gaitley’s abbreviated version of St. Louis De Montfort’s orignal 33 day consecration preparation) and watch videos from Formed.org. We’ll begin on November 29, next Friday. I’ll update this post weekly to share my insights and reflection.
November 29 January 1 Mary Mother of God
Want to Grow in Holiness, But Too Busy?
Want to transform your work, your marriage, your family, and your life, but don’t have time? Looking for the quickest, surest, and easiest way to holiness, but don’t know where to begin? In our hectic day and time, Pope John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa knew that the quickest way to be transformed into a saint is through a relationship with Our Blessed Mother, Mary.
Join me for a 33 day preparation for Marian Consecration. For six weeks from Friday, November 29 – January 1 (Feast of Mary, Mother of God), we’ll individually read about and reflect on four great Marian giants: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa, and Pope John Paul II. They’ll teach us the secrets to drawing closer to the Heart of Jesus through the Heart of Mary. In our weekly meetings, we’ll share our insights within our small group and then watch a 30-minute video. The video by popular author and speaker, Fr. Michael Gaitley.
If you’re looking for a simple way to be spiritually renewed, develop a deeper relationship with Our Merciful Savior, and grow in holiness, join me for 33 Days to Morning Glory Small-group Retreat.
Week 1: 11/29 – 12/5
This week’s reading is all about St. Louis de Montfort from Fr. Gaitley’s book. In the first two days, it’s about St. Montfort’s background. In his short life (only 43 years), he’s passion brought so many people to Jesus through Mary and influenced many Popes, including St. Pope John Paul II (the fourth week and final week will be focusing on him!). In day 3 and 4, Fr. Gaitley talked about St. Montfort’s consecration, which emphasizes two elements: “(1) a renewal of our baptismal vows and (2) a particularly intimate gift of ourselves to Mary.” By renewing our baptismal vows and offer it in Mary’s hand, this act would help us overcoming sin in our lives as Mary’s power over evil. As we give ourselves entirely to Mary through this devotion, Mary has the right to dispose the graces of our good works, which is so beautiful and meaningful. In day 5 and 6, Fr. Gaitley discussed about why we should really give Mary everything. St. Louis’s used a interesting analogy (a peasent’s offering to the king through the queen) to explain Mary makes the good things we give her more perfect. Also, because of Mary’s generosity, she will take care of our loved ones better than us if we ever worried we can’t use our good works for them. As we aim high to reach to the higher degrees of glory in heaven with Mary’s help, our motive should not be self-love, but to glorify God. In the last day, Fr. Gaitley talks about other benefits of Marian consecration and emphasizes it’s ” a quick, easy, and secure way to holiness.” I also watched Fr. Gaitley’s introduction and session 2 (week 1) videos from Formed.org with Mark. He shared his personal experience and stories to let us know how incredibly beautiful when he give everything to Mary. With this week’s readings and videos, I was meditating through the day and slowly reflecting back my life. We visited an elderly friend at a nursing home and the sisters from Centro Maria, the residence I used to live a few days ago. Also, some old photos from years ago poped up in my new phone’s photo album. It brought me back what amazing work God had done on me and how much help I got through Mary.
Joyful Christine 