33 Days of Consecration
St. Louis de Montfort was the first great prophet of Marian consecration, and he preached tirelessly about it. Where did St. Louis de Montfort's zeal come from? He inherited his Celtic father's fiery temper, yet he channeled this fiery passion to preach, bringing souls to Jesus through Mary. Opposition never dampened his zeal; the fire in his heart, the love for Jesus, Mary, and souls had a great influence on Catholic spirituality.
During the first week, we will ponder the life of St Louis de Montfort, and his essential teachings of Marian consecration.
(the above summarized from Fr. Michael Gaitley's "33 Days to Morning Glory", which we will be using for our consecration. Details below.)
St. Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish boy born into a poor, farming family in 1894, and later became a Franciscan friar. He was jailed in the Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz during World War II. Why, then, was he singing? Not only that, he was leading his fellow cellmates in song and prayer until he was the only survivor left. He had a profound interest in Mary, and through prayer and perseverance, he was able to deepen his understanding and love for her. Through him, the Church has gained a much clearer picture of the relationship between Mary, Jesus and us.
During the second week, we will ponder the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe, from his question "Who are You, O Immaculata?" to his total devotion to be an instrument of the Immaculate Conception.
(The above summarized from Fr. Michael Gaitley's "33 Days to Morning Glory", which we will be using for our consecration. Details below.)
Jesus' “I thirst” is not pleasant; it was a darkness almost unbearable for Blessed Mother Teresa.
Mary was the first to hear Jesus' “I thirst” on the foot of the cross at Calvary. Blessed Mother Teresa points us to Mary, because Mary can teach us to understand the deeper meaning of Jesus' thirst. Blessed Mother Teresa's entire life was an answer to His thirst, and Mary becomes a partner with her to satiate this thirst.
During the third week, we will ponder how Blessed Mother Teresa put Marian Consecration into practice.
(The above summarized from Fr. Michael Gaitley’s “33 Days to Morning Glory”, which we will be using for our consecration. Details below.)
Blessed John Paul II fully responded to them, consecrating the whole world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as well as giving himself totally to her, "Totus tuus ego sum". Through his very public life, he placed his life entirely in Mary's hands, and in doing so, let us recognize the awesomeness of a deeper relationship with Mary.
During the fourth week, we will go into detail about this awesomeness of Mary through Pope John Paul II's notes.
(The above summarized from Fr. Michael Gaitley’s “33 Days to Morning Glory”, which we will be using for our consecration. Details below.)
We entrust our lives and our mission to Jesus through Mary.
Join us in preparation for Marian Consecration and entrust ourselves to Jesus through Mary on the feast day of the Annunciation of Our Lord. We place ourselves completely in the hands of our Immaculate Mother so that she may lead us to live out perfectly the will of God.
Contemporary Marian experts for a better understanding of Marian spirituality.
Father Michael E. Gaitley, MIC has picked the top three modern Marian saints : St. Maximillian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa and Blessed Pope John Paul II, as well as the first prophet of Marian consecration, St. Louis de Montfort, and helps us understand their Marian stories. Father Gaitley’s unique style is very approachable, and allows us to prepare for this most wonderful of blessings through a much deeper and thorough understanding of Marian consecration.
"Many people know of the power of the 33 day consecration to Jesus through Mary taught by St. Louis Marie Grignon de Montfort. Many have also used other versions of the consecration like "The Triumph of the Immaculate Heart", etc. There is a new one that came out recently and it is highly acclaimed and promoted by EWTN: 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley. The Companions of the Cross as a community is adopting this book starting this year (2013). I have begun reading it and it is amazing. It utilizes the same structure set out by Montfort but it provides more spiritual components than using a lot of litanies and prayers. Gaitley joins to Montfort the spiritual insights of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Bl. Teresa of Calcutta, and Bl. JPII. The language is simple, conversational, and it speaks readily to the modern heart." - Fr. Francis Ching, CCFr. Francis Ching's talks on the topic of Embracing Mary as Our Mother at the FLL Winter Retreat 2014, held on January 18 - 19, 2014:
Talk 1
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Part 2:
Talk 2
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Talk 3
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How do I start?
Pick up a copy of Father Gaitley’s “33 Days to Morning Glory” (English only) at the FLL Bookstore and follow along his wonderful, 33-day journey of prayer and pondering.
