Saint Louis Marie de Montfort wrote preparation the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary was published in 2001. Saint Louis Marie de Montfort dedicated his life to praying to the Virgin Mary. His devotion to Mary was even considered “the best and most acceptable form of devotion to Our Lady” by Pope Pius IX. 4 of his miracles were examined and Saint Louis de Montfort was canonized by Pope Pius XII on July 20, 1947, over two hundred years after his death. Do you commit to following a 33-day program?
What’s the Preparation Process?
The purpose of Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary is to rid the self of the spirit of the world and to become completely in union with Jesus and Mary. There are five parts of this consecration. They are listed here.
Part I: Twelve Preliminary Days
The first part of the twelve days of Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary is set aside as the preliminary days, and rid yourself of all outside hindrances. Saint Louis de Montfort writes that this “part of the preparation should be employed in casting off the spirit of the world which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ.”
After a short introduction to the preliminary days in Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, Saint Louis de Montfort gives a list of 3 prayers that should be said daily. These prayers are Veni Creator, Avi Maris Stella, and the Magnificat. Each day also entails a short meditation that incude one or two bible verses with a few words from the Saint Louis de Montfort.
Part II: Knowledge of Self
After the twelve days of preparation are finished, the Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary moves on to Part II. In this section, Saint Louis de Montfort’s goal for the consecrator is to “consider not so much the opposition that exists between the spirit of Jesus and ours, as the miserable and humiliating state to which our sins have reduced us.” The prayers for this period are longer than Part I: Litany of the Holy Ghost, Litany of the Blessed Virgin, and the Ave Maris Stella.
Part III: Knowledge of Mary
Once the Knowledge of Self week is finished, the next section of the Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary to be prayed is Part III: Knowledge of Mary. It is important to reflect on “the interior life of Mary, namely, her virtues, her sentiments, her actions, her participation in the mysteries of Christ and her union with Him,” in this part. The prayers said for this part are the same as the last one, but the consecrator must say a daily rosary.
Part IV: Knowledge of Jesus Christ
The last part of Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary is the Knowledge of Jesus. The prayers for this section include Litany of the Holy Ghost, Ave Maris Stella, Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, St. Louis de Montfort’s Prayer to Jesus, and O, Jesus Living in Mary.
At the finish of the consecration, usually, the consecrator buys a chain that is worn on the wrist as a reminder of one’s slavehood to Mary and Jesus. Before wearing the bracelet, the consecrator has it blessed by a priest. For the consecration to be complete, the consecrator must attend Mass on the last day, go to confession within a week, and do a personal penance for Mary.
Conclusion
Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary is a 33-day five-part process that Catholics should do to deepen their faith. The Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary was written by Saint Louis Marie de Montfort two centuries ago and published in 2001. Some versions have a handy calendar that can help devotees to do the consecration.
