Some years ago, Mary Ann and I read and followed Fr. Michael Gaitley’s book, 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration. I had consecrated myself to the Blessed Virgin Mary many years before but really hadn’t noticed a big difference in myself — not that there wasn’t a difference, but I didn’t seem to notice it.
The second time, however, something seemed to click. Maybe Mary needed to soak my heart in more marinating graces before some of it “took” but I definitely noticed a change.
Fr. Gaitley says that when we consecrate ourselves to the Blessed Mother, she enters into a covenant with us and takes on certain duties to help us. One of the things Mary does is make our crosses sweeter. We are all called to pick up our cross and follow Jesus, but Our Lady somehow finds a way to make our cross feel lighter and easier to carry.
I have noticed that. When going through some tough trial, as painful as it can be, there is a special joy infused into those tribulations that I know comes from Mary. She breathes fresh hope into our pain and heartache and gives us consolation and encouragement to carry on. She makes any situation much more bearable when we turn to her for help and strength.
In the book, Fr. Gaitley quotes from a list of Mary’s duties toward her consecrated children that stems from Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s teaching on the Covenant of Consecration. Here are some of the things on the list of what Mary’s duties are to us when we consecrate ourselves to her:
- to give of her spirit and heart
- to protect, and transform me
- to inspire, guide and enlighten me
- to share her experience of prayer and praise
- responsibility for my sanctification
- responsibility for all that befalls me
- to share with me her virtues
- to provide for my spiritual and material needs
Any one of those things would be enough to sell me on the idea, but to think that she does all of those and more should make all of us want to consecrate our lives to Our Lady.
If you are looking for something spiritually enriching to do this Advent Season, I highly recommend getting this book and using it to prepare for making a Marian Consecration. Even if you have already consecrated yourself to the Blessed Mother, I encourage you to get 33 Days to Morning Glory and then renew your consecration.
Maybe like me, something new will kick in and you will get a needed boost to your spiritual life and prayer.
Phillip Penna says
Ellen, thank you for posting this. at the end of my most recent visit to El Paso and the Ranch Reunion last month (October 2018), Mary Bencomo gave me a little book with the devotion to the seven sorrows of Mary. I pray this on my way to work in the morning (on the bus ride). it is a simple yet profoundly enriching prayer. I have found Mary much more accessible through this devotion. I love the Rosary but like many I found it a difficult prayer (nothing wrong with that, I am just saying so) but this devotion seems to just cut right through any barriers for me. So, yes, I too encourage people to find their way to a good relationship with Mary. It is indeed well worth it.