About a month ago a friend emailed me with an invitation to join a book club at our usual coffee spot with a group of women. I said yes before I even knew the book! I can’t help it, it had all the key ingredients; spiritual book, great women, and coffee. Turns out we were going to read Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary and Preparation for Total Consecration.
Many years ago I did the Consecration but sadly did not follow through with continued fervor or devotion. I realized as I read the book that at the time I had very little understanding of what I was doing without the background of St. Louis de Montfort’s information as to why it is important to consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary.
As I read and prayed, I was convicted that I should do the consecration again and with full knowledge of why. I also suggested it to my husband and he agreed. We began on August 6 and will end on September 8, the Nativity of Mary. These dates seem ordained by God as my husband will be ordained as a permanent deacon just four days later. We both have seen spiritual fruit from this devotion though we are still in the preparatory phase, where the goal is “casting off the spirit of the world, which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ.”
I have cut out mindless fiction reading and games on Facebook. I can see the Lord asking me to make small sacrifices every day, denying what comes naturally to me and relying on his grace to move me forward instead of my will. I’m sure he isn’t done with me yet, but since I have the support of his mother I know she is also there guiding and supporting me.
If you are interested in the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary you can join in on the next group here at New Evangelizers, on the Total Consecration tab. The next one begins on November 5 and ends on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Copyright 2015, Deanna Bartalini
Deanna Bartalini
Deanna G. Bartalini, is a Catholic writer, speaker, and educator. She serves on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center. Deanna loves teaching about Catholicism and how it fits into our daily lives. She writes at DeannaBartalini.com, serves as the editor of the NewEvangelizers.com blog, and is a contributor there as well as at AmazingCatechists.com. Deanna contributed to A Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion published by Ave Maris Press. She is the author of “Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life: Growing in Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control” published by Our Sunday Visitor. Deanna is available to lead retreats and speak at catechist and ministry events.
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