Consecration To Mary?

[Katholikos]

Monica,

"Co-" (as in Co-Redemptrix) means "with". It comes from Latin.

It does not mean that Mary and Jesus are both our redeemers, as Protestants often claim it does.

It means that Jesus is our Redeemer with Mary, through Mary, because Jesus became incarnate through her, with her consent. Without Mary, we would have no Savior.

Jesus is flesh of Mary's flesh, bone of Mary's bone, DNA of Mary's DNA. He was nourished in His humanity at her breasts.

She is honored as the Singular Vessel of our Redemption, because only through her was our Savior born and came to live among us. And imitating her is our surest way to heaven.

"Co-" does not mean 'and' as it does in English. To understand Catholicism, it helps to learn a little Latin. Just a little .

Ave Cor Mariae, Katholikos

[IcePrincessKRS]

There are a couple different methods. Many people, myself included, are consecrated to Jesus through Mary by the St. Louis De Montfort method. You can get a little book with the prayers and meditations for consecration preparation. (Its about $3.00 from Catholictreasures.com, I've never ordered from them, but I am pretty sure they are a reliable site.) Or you can check it out online here: http://www.iipg-queenofpeace.org/consecration1.htm?o=0

:)

[Good Friday]

We are doing it together, as a group, in my youth group.

On January 1st, Feast of Mary, Mother of God.

That's the anniversary of my consecration, Vera. One year ago this January 1st.

[Faithful heart]

IcePrincessKRS, thank you for the info.

[Anna]

I, too, enjoy the great priviledge of Holy Slavery.

I'm consecrated by the St. Louis de Montfort method. There is a similar method by instituted by St. Maximillian Kolbe.

The exact title of this consecration is Consecration to Jesus Christ through Mary.

(Or, Consecration to Jesus Christ, Incarnate Wisdom, through Mary.)

The logic here is that a slave owns nothing, and does not get paid for his labor. All goods go to the Master. We offer all that we have and all that we do to the Master, through the hands of our Mistress, who takes our grimey little offerings into her immaculate hands, kisses them, and lays them at the feet of her Divine Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ. She embellishes and makes perfect our imperfect prayers and acts of devotion.

Therefore, we need not despair that we'll "never be good enough," because whatever we have, whatever we do, Mary makes it even more pleasing to Jesus.

And yes, it is very freeing, very liberating, to let go of everything, and entrust it all to Mary Most Holy, for entrusting it all to her, we are ultimately entrusting all to Jesus Christ.

Pax Christi. <><

[IcePrincessKRS]

Great explanation Mama! I was trying to explain that to Paladin last night. I hope he checks this thread again and sees that. :)

[Paladin D]

Wow...

Aren't there requirements before taking this pledge?

[Anna]

There are recommendations, but not necessarily requirements.

Lemme get the info together and post it for ya...my pleasure!

Pax Christi. <><

[Anna]

It's really funny that this thread should come up, because my 9-month old, who has been getting around the house in a walker, recently discovered how to get into a buffet, which holds some of my favorite Catholic books. I'm looking right now at three copies of True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort. (multiple copies from my homeschooling days!)

So, if someone would like one, PM me your address, and I will mail it to you. True Devotion is a complete explanation of devotion to Our Lady, and outlines consecration as the surest, quickest, easiest way to follow and imitate Jesus, with the total aid of His Mother.

In the Saint's own words: "All our perfection consists in being conformed, united and consecrated to Jesus Christ; and therefore the most perfect of all devotions is, without any doubt, that which most perfectly conforms, unites, and consecrates us to Jesus Christ.

Now, Mary being the most conformed of all creatures to Jesus Christ, it follows that, of all devotions, that which most consecrates and conforms the soul to our Lord is devotion to His holy mother, and that the more a soul is consecrated to Mary, the more it is consecrated to Jesus.

Hence, it comes to pass that the most perfect consecration to Jesus Christ is nothing else but a perfect and entire consecration of ourselves to the Blessed Virgin, and this is the devotion which I teach; or, in other words, a perfect renewal of the vows and promises of holy Baptism." [/color=blue]--excerpted from True Devotion

***Note that just as I abbreviate the titled, "True Devotion," so too, Catholics abbreviate the consecration, saying "Consecrated to Mary," rather than saying "consecrated to Jesus through Mary." That is because it's easier off the tongue, and to a Catholic who knows his Faith, it's the same thing! But to someone else, they might think that we are worshipping Mary. (just to clarify).

Finally, I might add that the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, is consecrated to Jesus through Mary. His crest has a blue M for Mary, and his motto is "Totus Tuus," Latin for "Totally Yours." This is our pledge to Mary, "Totus Tuus, O Maria."

Pax Christi. <><

Ok, why isn't St. Louis's quote in BLUE? :angry:

Edited November 4, 2003 by Anna

[Anna]

By the time you've finished the first chapter of True Devotion, you'll be aching to consecrate yourself.

The Montfort Fathers in Bayshore, NY publish the book(let), Preparation for Total Consecration, according to St. Louis de Montfort.

This booklet is a 33 day preparation: one day for each year Our Lord walked the earth.

On the 34th day, the promises (or consecration) are made.

The book begins with a timetable of six suggested schedules so that you may make consecrate promises upon a special feastday.

The preparation consists of Part I (12 Days) where we examine the spirit of the world.

Part II (7 Days) where we grow in Knowledge of Self.

Part III (7 Days) where we grow in Knowledge of our Lady

and Part IV (7 Days) where we grow in Knowledge of Christ.

Each day of this preparation, readings and prayers are provided in the book.

The final day, the consecration prayer is recited, and it is recommended that you receive the Sacrament of Penance before, and attend Holy Mass prior to your consecration. (Consecration is also called taking the vows of holy slavery.) You may choose an article of holy slavery, such as scapular and/or rosary. There is a formula in the book that a priest may follow, to offer the faithful a consecration ceremony, of sorts.

I made my vows with several others in the presence of a priest during a little private ceremony in church. As we recited the consecration prayer, all of us were aware of a flashing light behind us. We thought someone had taken a picture. Afterward we learned that there had been no one in the church but us. The flash reminded us of the flashes of light which preceded the Blessed Virgin's visits to the Fatima children, and we were quite certain that Our Blessed Mother, inDouche came to the church and received our humble offerings.

Pax Christi. <><

[Anna]

Can you believe I forgot one thing?

Most devotees like to renew their consecration each year on the anniversary date. They may go through the entire 33 day preparation as well.

Some devotees repeatedly follow the preparation prayers and readings followed by the renewal of vows all through the year.

[vianney]

Will someone explain this to me. On page five in the True Devotion To Mary by st louis de montfort it says this. I quote "The length of her power, which she excercises even over God himself, is incomprehensible;

Whats up wit dat?

[IcePrincessKRS]

Will someone explain this to me. On page five in the True Devotion To Mary by st louis de montfort it says this. I quote "The length of her power, which she excercises even over God himself, is incomprehensible;

Whats up wit dat?

I think it means that He will grant all of her requests. I don't have "True Devotion", though, so I can't read it in context.

He is not saying that Mary is MORE powerful than God, I can gurantee that. The whole premise is to become closer to HIM through His mother.

[cmotherofpirl]

The book is online:

http://www.newjerusalem.com/Secret-of-Mary.htm

[Uncle Gus]

Will someone explain this to me. On page five in the True Devotion To Mary by st louis de montfort it says this. I quote "The length of her power, which she excercises even over God himself, is incomprehensible;

Whats up wit dat?

Perhaps that is referring to the Motherhood of Mary, the authority that Mary is granted over Jesus as His parent. Jesus was obliged by the fifth Commandment, just like any other.

[vianney]

in the context of the reading it wasnt talking about mary as mother of Jesus in the sense of her being his maternal mom. So I dont think that is what it was talking about. I understand that it COULD be talking about Mary simply taking things to Jesus to ask her to pray for etc but why wouldnt they just say that instead of saying what they said.

I dunno It just didnt sit well with me it sounds almost as if mary is above god. I know that is not what they meant but does ne one else think it came off that way?

[Anna]

Vianney,

There are several revised editions ("updated language") of True Devotion, so giving a page number doesn't help me find the quote.

Please provide a paragraph number! Each paragraph is numbered.

The sentence fragment you quote is an incomplete thought, what is the rest of the sentence? Does it clarify that fragment?

Chapter 1 begins: "I avow, with all the Church, that Mary, being a mere creature that has come from the hands of the Most high, is incomparison with His Infinte Majesty less thanan atom; or rather , she is nothing at all, because only He is "He who is" (Exod.3:14), consequently that grandlord, always independent andsufficient to Himself, never had, and has notnow, any absolute need of the holy Virgin for the accomplishment ofHis will and for the manifestation of His glory. he has but to will in order to do everything.

This book is written by a canonized saint, bears the nihil obstat and imprimatur, and the consecration is followed even by the Holy Father.

One thing that deMontfort consistently marvels at, is how God would be willing to come down and become man, and willingly be subject to a human woman...

I believe he also speaks later in the book on how Mary will never ask anything of God that would be inappropriate or not in accord with His Divine Will. She is so closely united to Christ and so conformed to the will of God ("be it done unto me according to your word") that all she asks is granted by the Most High.

I'm skimming the book, but not finding that quote...It may be that I have just a different variation of wording.

Pax Christi. <><

[vianney]

Paragraph 7 Page 5 for me. I am not doubting that this is legit. I started my consecration today. I am just wondering what is meant by that because It sounded bad to me. I dunno how else to take that quote. And I read it in the context and still it disturbed me, I couldnt get what he was trying to say out of it.

[Anna]

I can understand your point, vianney.

The entire quote is, "Yet, after all they (the saints) hav esaid, they cry out that the height of her merits, which she has raised up to the throne of the Divinity, cannot be fully seen; that the breadth of her charity, which is broader than the earth, is in truth immeasurable; that the length of her power, which she exercises even over God Himself, in incomprehensible; and finally, that the depth of her humility, and of all her virtues and graces, is an abyss which never can be sounded. O height incomprehensibe! O breadth unspeakable! O length immeasurable! O abyss impenetrable!"

The saint is speaking here in a poetic sense, certainly not as a theologian.

And in a sense, he is correct, by her merits, (many of which are still unknown to us, as her life was quite hidden) she was assumed into heaven, is easy enough to understand for instance...

But how does one measure charity as being broader than the earth?

The length of her power, incomprehensible (whichshe exercises even over God Himself) I take this to mean how powerful is her intercession.

And this, too, is true.

Only by Mary's powerful intercession have wars been averted or brought to a quick close.

There is a priest who has appeared on EWTN who was in a severe car crash. His neck was broken, and he could hear God's judgement being pronounced against him for being lukewarm.

Then, he heard her voice, begging, pleading, "Give him to me. Please give him one more chance..."

The priest made a miraculous recovery and is now tirelessly faithful to the souls who've been entrusted to him....

I'll get you this priest's name, as his story is remarkable. He had no devotion to Mary before this experience.

So, her intercession will even hold back the hand of God's wrath at times. But her only "power" is the power of intercessory prayer--prayer to God, to appease His Just Anger.

I'll get searching for that priest's story...

Hope this helps.

Pax Christi. <><

[Anna]

The priest's name is Fr. (John?) Shire...not sure if I spelled it correctly...could be Schyre, etc....so still am having trouble narrowing down a search. :(