Preparing for Consecration
To Jesus – With Mary: Information and Resources
Coming to Jesus by the Hands of Mary – Consecration Overview
In short, Our Lady, being most intimately familiar with Our Lord in a way that no other human can be, who was created by our God expressly for the purpose of bringing Jesus to us, has as her sole purpose, guiding us closer and closer to Our Lord. There is a wealth of information on the internet about this most special devotion, Consecration to Jesus through Mary. St. Louis De Montfort has written extensively regarding Our Lady and her role in our journey to holiness.
The devotion according to St. Louis De Montfort is a 33-day preparation. However, the preparation period can be adjusted to suit your needs. Whenever possible try to offer the full 33 days to maximize your spiritual growth. However given our busy lives, it is understandable when shortcuts are necessary. Just do your best. In my personal journey renewing the consecration each year, I sometimes begin two months before the date of consecration because I know that there will be periods where I lose focus. The extra time allows me to remain firm in the commitment to prepare even when I lapse for a full week! If you choose to renew your consecration after your first consecration, you may find other shortcuts appropriate, or even find that supplementing with other resources breathes new life into your spiritual journey.
Most of what you need can be found online. This website, compatible with smartphones, provides the content to navigate through the entire 33-day personal retreat. For a richer experience, purchase the materials referenced here and in the online preparation notes. Keep a journal during your independent study and contemplation to record insights and prayers.
Note: The daily reflections presented on this website are taken directly from Preparation for Total Consecration according to Saint Louis Marie de Montfort, by Montfort Publications. The text is not enclosed in quotes but is credited at the bottom of each reflection page. Reflections and exhortations that do not come from the book are credited to the writer directly before or after the text. The presentation of the consecration text on this website is not financially motivated and only seeks to replicate what is done on many other websites with a different organizational perspective and offering the opportunity for visitors to share their insights as comments in this virtual forum.
Each of the headers below expand when you click on them to list materials, references, and various websites. These references are just examples. The materials mentioned can be acquired at many brick and mortar and online stores.
Basic Materials
Daily Meditations for the Preparation for Total Consecration
Everything you need for the 33-day preparation is included on this website under Starting the Journey. The text includes exerpts from several other works and it might be nice to have them, but it is not absolutely necessary. You will find the same content presented on this website at the following books and online resources (click on images and links for purchasing options):
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| Book by Fr. Hugh Gellespie (English) | Libro por Fr. Hugh Gellespie (Español) | Original Book by St. Louis de Montfort (English) |
Alternative Sources
- Book/Libro by Fr. Hugh Gellespie – English || Español
- Original Book by St. Louis de Montfort
- Website with podcasts – English || Español
- Downloadable App – English || Español
The English App download page mentions iPhone, but the app is also avaible for android devices. You can find it on your smartphone Playstore App.
Choose your preparation period
Get a brown scapular
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| Official Our Lady of Mount Carmel Brown Scapular | Our Lady Scapular and Text: "Whoever dies wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire Our Lady Scapular Promise" | Brown Genuine Wool O.L. of Mt Carmel with Our Lady's Scapular Promise, 32 Inch | Brown Scapular Mt. Carmel 100% Wool Made in USA Handmade Quality (Single) |
Alternative Store
Consider purchasing one at your parish gift shop to support your parish.
Supplemental resources
St. Louis de Montfort references each of the following books in his Total Consecration guide. It is worthwhile to have each resource on hand for background and for an even richer preparation period as time permits, or for subsequent annual renewal.
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| The Secret Of Mary by St. Louis de Montfort El Secreto De Maria by San Luis Maria Grignion de Montfort  |
True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort Verdadera Devocion a La Santisima Virgen Maria  |
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis Imitación de Cristo  |
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This single resource integrates the basic meditations with content from The Secret of Mary, True Devotion, and Imitation of Christ. This extended text offers three to five in depth meditaitons for each day of the preparation period. It is so rich that it can be used over and over again as you renew your consecration annually! |
Alternative Sources
| The Secret Of Mary / El Secreto de Maria by St. Louis de Montfort |
English | Español | Online resource (English) |
| True Devotion to Mary / Tratado de la Verdadera Devocion by St. Louis de Montfort |
English | Español | Online resource (English) |
| The Imitation of Christ / Imitacion de Cristo by Thomas à Kempis |
English | Español | Online resource (English) |
Additional Reading
This next book is an alternative to the original de Montfort consecration which takes a look at the Marian devotion of contemporary saints.
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33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration This book is a beautiful alternative to the original De Montfort consecration. This program focuses on the teachings of contemporary saints in regards to the Virgin Mary and has become a popular program for parish study groups! For those who have hesitation regarding devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, this book may be a good starting point, proceding to the original texts by St. Louis de Montfort for a subsequent and deeper renewal. |
Alternative Sources:
33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley The Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy offer a full series of 5 minute reflections on youtube. Click here for the reflection series playlist. |
Over the years, I have used additional materials, both marian and non-marian, during my journeys of renewing the consecration to Jesus through Mary. Here are some of the books I have used:
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Hinds Feet On High Places
This book is an allegorical novel in which we follow the journey of Much Afraid as she answers the call to walk with God. |
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The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Vol. 1 (featuring The Book of Her Life, Spiritual Testimonies and the Soliloquies)
A wonderful look into St. Teresa's struggles and graces |
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The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in Daily Life
I read a book similar to this one (could not find the exact book) on Ignatian Spirituality that discussed the 14 rules. It is hard to go wrong when diving into Ignatian Spirituality! |
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Unbound: A Practical Guide to Deliverance
This book ventures into solid, long-term personal healing, and then transitions into helping others on that road. Finding the road to healing can be eminently helpful on our journey! |
Getting Started
The first step to beginning your journey is to pick a marian feast day on which to make your consecration. There is no rule that says you must make the consecration at the end of the preparation period. If you choose to delay or not to make the consecration on the day you have chosen, you will only be the richer for the time you spent in prayer. So go ahead... begin your journey!