| Traditional Roman Catholicism |
Total Consecration To Jesus Through Mary
St. Louis de Montfort's method of devotion is known as "Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary," "True Devotion,"
or "Holy Slavery."
Step 1:
Read "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary"
First, read "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin," written by St. Louis de Montfort himself and decide for certain
whether to consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary. Read carefully, and don't take this lightly; consecrating oneself
has the character of a vow.
True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Introduction of Saint Louis-Maria
Part I: True Devotion to Our Lady in General
Necessity of Devotion to Our Lady
In What Does Devotion To Our Lady Consist
The Perfect Consecration To Jesus Christ
Motives Which Recommend This Devotion
Biblical Figure Of This Devotion: Rebecca and Jacob
Particular Practices Of This Devotion
Supplement: This Devotion At Holy Communion
Choosing a Date to Begin
or "Holy Slavery."
Step 1:
Read "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary"
First, read "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin," written by St. Louis de Montfort himself and decide for certain
whether to consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary. Read carefully, and don't take this lightly; consecrating oneself
has the character of a vow.
True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Introduction of Saint Louis-Maria
Part I: True Devotion to Our Lady in General
Necessity of Devotion to Our Lady
In What Does Devotion To Our Lady Consist
The Perfect Consecration To Jesus Christ
Motives Which Recommend This Devotion
Biblical Figure Of This Devotion: Rebecca and Jacob
Particular Practices Of This Devotion
Supplement: This Devotion At Holy Communion
Choosing a Date to Begin
Part II The Perfect Devotion to Our Lady
Step 2:Begin the 33-Day Preparation for Consecration
Now begins the 33-day period of exercises. St. Louis-Marie breaks these days into sections of days, each section
having its own prayers, and each particular day having its own brief readings with which to fill the mind for that day
(the readings come from Sacred Scripture, "The Imitation of Christ," and "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary").
Don't just read the readings, internalize them; don't let your lips just mouth the prayers, truly pray them.
First comes a 12-day preparation period that consists of emptying oneself of the spirit of the world in penance and
mortification. For those 12 days, we pray the Veni Creator, the Ave Maris Stella, the Magnificat, and the Glory Be.
Then follow 3 weeks, each week having a specific focus.
The first week focuses on offering up our prayers and devotions for the purpose of coming to understand ourselves
and our sins; humility is the key, and the prayers the Litany of the Holy Ghost, the Litany of Loreto, and the Ave Maris
Stella help us.
During the second week, we ask the Holy Ghost to help us better understand the Blessed Virgin; we pray the Litany of
the Holy Ghost, the Litany of Loreto, the Ave Maris Stellis, the prayer to Mary by St. Louis-Marie, and 5 decades of the
Holy Rosary each day for assistance.
During the third week, we seek to better understand Christ through meditation and the Litany of the Holy Ghost, the
Ave Maris Stella, and the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, Montfort's prayer to Jesus, and the prayer O Jesus Living
in Mary.
Below are links to the individual readings for each day, and accompanying prayers.
12-Day Preparation:
Now begins the 33-day period of exercises. St. Louis-Marie breaks these days into sections of days, each section
having its own prayers, and each particular day having its own brief readings with which to fill the mind for that day
(the readings come from Sacred Scripture, "The Imitation of Christ," and "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary").
Don't just read the readings, internalize them; don't let your lips just mouth the prayers, truly pray them.
First comes a 12-day preparation period that consists of emptying oneself of the spirit of the world in penance and
mortification. For those 12 days, we pray the Veni Creator, the Ave Maris Stella, the Magnificat, and the Glory Be.
Then follow 3 weeks, each week having a specific focus.
The first week focuses on offering up our prayers and devotions for the purpose of coming to understand ourselves
and our sins; humility is the key, and the prayers the Litany of the Holy Ghost, the Litany of Loreto, and the Ave Maris
Stella help us.
During the second week, we ask the Holy Ghost to help us better understand the Blessed Virgin; we pray the Litany of
the Holy Ghost, the Litany of Loreto, the Ave Maris Stellis, the prayer to Mary by St. Louis-Marie, and 5 decades of the
Holy Rosary each day for assistance.
During the third week, we seek to better understand Christ through meditation and the Litany of the Holy Ghost, the
Ave Maris Stella, and the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, Montfort's prayer to Jesus, and the prayer O Jesus Living
in Mary.
Below are links to the individual readings for each day, and accompanying prayers.
12-Day Preparation:
First Week
Second Week
Third Week
Step 3 : Day 34 Day of Consecration
On the day of consecration, either fast, give alms, or offer a votive candle for the good of another (or all of the above);
do some spiritual penance and approach consecration in the spirit of mortification.
Now go to Confession (or, if that is not possible, go during the 8 days prior) and then receive Communion with the
intention of giving yourself to Jesus, as a slave of love, by the hands of Mary. Try to receive Communion per the
method described in the Supplement of the book, "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary" above.
Now pray the words of the consecration. Copy them and have them with you at church, read them after the Mass (in
front of the tabernacle would be nice), and sign your copy of the Act of Consecration.
The Consecration Prayer
On the day of consecration, either fast, give alms, or offer a votive candle for the good of another (or all of the above);
do some spiritual penance and approach consecration in the spirit of mortification.
Now go to Confession (or, if that is not possible, go during the 8 days prior) and then receive Communion with the
intention of giving yourself to Jesus, as a slave of love, by the hands of Mary. Try to receive Communion per the
method described in the Supplement of the book, "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary" above.
Now pray the words of the consecration. Copy them and have them with you at church, read them after the Mass (in
front of the tabernacle would be nice), and sign your copy of the Act of Consecration.
The Consecration Prayer
Step 4: After Consecration
Once you have consecrated yourself to Jesus through Mary, live that consecration. St. Louis-Marie de Montfort
recommended the following:
Keep praying to develop a "great contempt" for the spirit of this world
Maintain a special devotion to the Mystery of the Incarnation (e.g., through meditation; spiritual reading; focusing on
Feasts centering around the Incarnation, such as the Annunciation and the Nativity, etc.)
Frequently recite the Ave, Rosary, and the Magnificat
Recite, every day if it is not inconvenient, the "Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin" -- a series of Paters, Aves, and
Glorias -- one Ave for each star in the Virgin's Crown. St. Louis has a special way of praying the Little Crown, which is
recommended.
Do everything through, with, in and for Mary for the sake of Jesus, with the prayer, "I am all thine Immaculate One,
with all that I have: in time and in eternity" in your heart and on your lips
Associate yourself with Mary in a special way before, during, and after Communion (see Supplement of the book,
"True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary" above)
Wear a little iron chain (around the neck, arm, waist, or ankle) as an outward sign and reminder of holy slavery. This
practice is optional, but very recommended by St. Louis. The appearance of this chain is not further specified.
Renew the consecration once a year on the same date , and by following the same 33-day period of exercises. If
desired, also renew the consecration monthly with the prayer, "I am all thine and all I have is thine, O dear Jesus,
through Mary, Thy holy Mother."
Optional: Join the Confraternity of Mary, Queen of All Hearts. Their address:
Director, Confraternity of Mary Queen of All Hearts
26 South Saxon Avenue
Bay Shore, NY 11706
Once you have consecrated yourself to Jesus through Mary, live that consecration. St. Louis-Marie de Montfort
recommended the following:
Keep praying to develop a "great contempt" for the spirit of this world
Maintain a special devotion to the Mystery of the Incarnation (e.g., through meditation; spiritual reading; focusing on
Feasts centering around the Incarnation, such as the Annunciation and the Nativity, etc.)
Frequently recite the Ave, Rosary, and the Magnificat
Recite, every day if it is not inconvenient, the "Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin" -- a series of Paters, Aves, and
Glorias -- one Ave for each star in the Virgin's Crown. St. Louis has a special way of praying the Little Crown, which is
recommended.
Do everything through, with, in and for Mary for the sake of Jesus, with the prayer, "I am all thine Immaculate One,
with all that I have: in time and in eternity" in your heart and on your lips
Associate yourself with Mary in a special way before, during, and after Communion (see Supplement of the book,
"True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary" above)
Wear a little iron chain (around the neck, arm, waist, or ankle) as an outward sign and reminder of holy slavery. This
practice is optional, but very recommended by St. Louis. The appearance of this chain is not further specified.
Renew the consecration once a year on the same date , and by following the same 33-day period of exercises. If
desired, also renew the consecration monthly with the prayer, "I am all thine and all I have is thine, O dear Jesus,
through Mary, Thy holy Mother."
Optional: Join the Confraternity of Mary, Queen of All Hearts. Their address:
Director, Confraternity of Mary Queen of All Hearts
26 South Saxon Avenue
Bay Shore, NY 11706
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