First Week of the Consecration Starts Monday May 10th... Why This Consecration? Why Mary?

Hello Church Militant:
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I hope you are persevering through this first 14 days of the 33 day Preparation of Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary. We are almost at the next step which is Knowledge of Self. These instructions are posted under Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary under Formation on this website.

I thought I would post on why do this consecration....why Mary...
We should all know that we are called to be saints to please God and win for Him many souls. Many think this is too difficult a task and that we are ALL not called to it. Not so. St. Francis de Sales says that we are not saints because we do not want to be. Being a saint for Jesus Christ does not have to be difficult if we know and understand the easy way to Jesus. We know that this easy way is effective because it is so hidden by the enemy who does not want us to grow closer to Jesus. THIS SECRET IS MARY. All who have wanted to enter on the narrow way of perfection, all who are desirous of living true, holy Christian lives, have need of many helps, many assistances; we have much to overcome; we have many hindrances in the way of perfection; we have many stumbling blocks, old habits, predominant passions, selfish inclinations, so very much opposed to the reign of Jesus Christ. It can be overwhelming to walk this narrow way by ourselves. God knew that and therefore He gave us His Mother. She is the Mother of God. She is a model, our guide and our help during this trying time on earth.

St. Louis deMontfort from his book, “Love of the Eternal Wisdom” states that there are four means of obtaining possession of this wisdom needed to identify ourselves with Christ:

1. By an ardent and sincere desire. If I want to possess the Wisdom of God, if I want to possess Our Lord Jesus Christ who is Eternal Wisdom, if I want to become a saint, the first means is an ardent desire.  The graces are there for all of us to be saints – we need to ask.
2.  The second condition is a continual prayer and all the means of grace through the Sacraments. Our Lord said we must pray without ceasing. Converse with Him frequently and personally and this does not mean always on our knees although this time each day is necessary. Our daily life can be a prayer if we keep His Presence before us and send our continual love. We need to frequent the Sacraments.
3. The third condition to possess Christ and Christ crucified in our lives is a universal mortification or self-denial. Giving up our self will for God’s Will. “If anyone will come after Me, let him take up his cross and follow Me.” This is where we fall off. We need to remember that this life is a grain of sand compared to the beaches and beaches of grains which still do not represent eternity. Do we know what eternity is? Do we think about it? If we did - we could make those sacrifices!
4. Finally, DeMontfort says the fourth means is to have a tender and true devotion to Mary. She will guide us most perfectly to Her Son and teach us the way. This needs to be constant. In order to have it constant, we need to be consecrated to Her, wear Her Scapular and Say Her Rosary daily!

May we be truly diligent and persevere through these 33 days and seek to perfect ourselves by surrendering ourselves to Jesus through Mary. She will help us if we ask her. Let us not grow weary....let us persevere....God wills it!
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pray for us!

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