Continued from LAST WEEK
They ought to write it, or have it written, unless they have a printed copy of it; and they should sign it the same day they have made it. It would be well also that on that day they should pay some tribute to Jesus Christ and our Blessed Lady, either as a penance for their past unfaithfulness to the vows of their Baptism or as a testimony of their dependence on the dominion of Jesus and Mary. This tribute ought to be according to the devotion and ability of everyone, such as a fast, a mortification, an alms or a candle. If they had but a pin to give in homage, yet gave it with a good heart, it would be enough for Jesus, who looks only at one’s good will. Once a year at least, on the same day, they should renew the same consecration, observing the same practices during the three weeks. They might also once a month, or even once a day, renew all they have done, in these few words: “I am all Thine and all that I have belongs to Thee: O my Sweet-Jesus, through Mary, Thy holy Mother”. The object of this consecration is to cast off the spirit of the world, which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ, in order to acquire fully the spirit of Jesus Christ through the Blessed Virgin. Hence the practices suggested by St. Louis De Montfort: renouncement of the world, knowledge of self, of the Blessed Virgin and of Jesus Christ.
Interior Dispositions required for Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The act of consecration to Our Lady requires some interior dispositions which Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira summarizes as follows:
The person should:
1. Formally renounce everything that makes him incompatible with the Blessed Virgin, that is, all sins, heresies or laxity in the practice of the Faith;
2. Make a resolution to honour, serve, and praise Our Lady in a special way;
3. Beg her to accept these dispositions and cover with special assistance the person thus consecrating himself (or herself) to her. Thus, in the consecration, we make a resolution to refrain from doing anything against the one to whom we consecrate ourselves and to do everything we can for her. We also pray that she accepts the offering of ourselves and grant us her special protection. None of these is purely symbolic, without consequences in reality. When seriously thought out, desired and executed, consecration is an act of transcendental gravity. Because of this, it should be done with maturity and reflection, for doing it frivolously and carelessly would be taking the holy name of God in vain as any form of consecration to Mary is ultimately to God, for as St. Louis de Montfort explains in his True Devotion to Mary, to consecrate oneself to Mary Most Holy is nothing other than the most excellent way of consecrating oneself to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Living the Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary implies carrying out promptly all the wishes of Our Lady: imitating her virtues, living and acting in union with her always, daily recitation of her Rosary, frequent (at least monthly) confession, wherever possible, daily participation in the celebration of Mass or as frequently as possible and worthy reception of Holy Communion, frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament, performing the First Friday and First Saturday devotions, faithfulness to the Church, keeping all the commandments of God, a life of prayer and penance, fulfilling all our daily duties with love and perfection, avoiding sins and doing good. That means that our life, like Mary’s life, should be one of profound humility, unceasing prayer, constant mortification, ardent charity, perfect obedience and purity. It is this lifestyle or spirit of Mary that draws down the Holy Spirit of God. Those who truly live lives consecrated to Mary’s Immaculate Heart develop a contempt for the spirit of the world. They dress modestly, avoid immoral films and television, and immoral literature books and magazines of any kind and ensure that their children and wards under their care do not watch immoral films and television shows and that they observe modesty in speech and dress. Living that consecration means becoming an apostle of Mary, striving to imitate her virtues, and to place in her hands the flowers of little sacrifices of reparation for the salvation of souls, so that we might strengthen her hand against the attacks of the Evil One, and hasten the day of the triumph of her Immaculate Heart. To everyone who makes that consecration and sincerely tries to live it, the words of Our Lady to the child Lucia at Fatima would also apply: “I will never leave you; my Immaculate Heart will be your refuge, and the way that will lead you to God”.
If consecration to Mary “tends essentially to union with Jesus, under the guidance of Mary”, as Pope Pius XII pointed out, we must remember that any gradual transformation into Christ requires a gradual loving acceptance of a greater share in His Redeeming Cross. So when we offer ourselves to Mary to lead us, to form us into the likeness of her Son, we are offering to let her lead us along the way of the Cross. Our Blessed Mother’s great concern is the salvation of the souls of her children, many of whom are being lost. She looks for generous souls among her children, who are willing to let her lead them close behind her Son, sharing more fully in His redemptive mission, filling up what is wanting in other members of the Body of Christ. Little by little they are transformed to see as Christ sees, and to desire what He desires. God wants to draw us closer to Himself, sharing more fully His Divine life; but we must understand what the fulfilment of this requires. In our Rosary, we contemplate Mary in Heaven in the Glorious Mysteries, because she had so unique a role on earth in the Sorrowful Mysteries. This is the pattern that is offered to each of us, and of which we are reminded each time we pray the Rosary. Consecration to Mary, then, requires a childlike simplicity and confidence, letting her lead one by the hand, trusting – regardless of what lies ahead – that she knows better than we what contributes most to God’s glory, our sanctification and the salvation of souls. We can consecrate not only ourselves and our families but also parishes, dioceses and nations.
This is not just a personal desire by enthusiastic devotees, but has been requested by Our Lady herself – particularly at Fatima. History shows that where the Church has formally consecrated the nation to Jesus and/ or Mary, protection or victory has been granted. Thus an Act of Consecration is a witness to man placing his trust first not in himself or his fellowman, but in God. It is good practice always to wear outward sign of consecration like the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and renew our Act of Consecration from time to time. Pope Paul VI during his visit to Fatima in 1967, appealed to all Catholics to renew their consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary’s Immaculate Heart, a Heart purely dedicated to God and untarnished by sin, is the dwelling place of the Trinity. This is really the crux of making a total consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. If we take refuge in her Heart, where the Trinity dwells, we become profoundly united with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary implies carrying out promptly all the wishes of Our Lady: imitating her virtues, living and acting in union with her always, daily recitation of her Rosary, frequent (at least monthly) confession, wherever possible, daily participation in the celebration of Mass or as frequently as possible and worthy reception of Holy Communion, frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament, performing the First Friday and First Saturday devotions, faithfulness to the Church, keeping all the commandments of God, a life of prayer and penance, fulfilling all our daily duties with love and perfection, avoiding sins and doing good. That means that our life, like Mary’s life, should be one of profound humility, unceasing prayer, constant mortification, ardent charity, perfect obedience and purity. It is this life style or spirit of Mary that draws down the Holy Spirit of God. Those who truly live lives consecrated to Mary’s Immaculate Heart, develop a contempt for the spirit of the world. They dress modestly, avoid immoral films and television, and immoral literature books and magazines of any kind and ensure that their children and wards under their care do not watch immoral films and television shows and that they observe modesty in speech and dress.
• Prof. Michael Ogunu is International President of the World Apostolate of Fatima
