We now invite you to embark on the powerful path of Consecration taken by Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa and many great saints! You will start by forging a habit of prayer and learning the “Secret of Mary.” Then, you’ll do the 40-Day preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through His Holy Mother Mary in union with St Joseph. Along the way, you will be given suggestions on how to lead your family into this deepening relationship with the Holy Family & the Holy Trinity.
Why This Step?
Fr Kevin tells you why in this video=>
A) Defeat Satan
The Blessed Virgin Mary “seeks souls who will consecrate themselves entirely to her, who will become in her hands effective instruments for the defeat of Satan and the spreading of God’s kingdom upon earth.” --St. Maximilian Kolbe
B) Most effective results
“Mary is the surest, the easiest, the shortest and the holiest of all means of possessing Jesus Christ.”
--St Louis DeMontfort
How to do this step?
(1) Continue to
By continuing the spiritual practices you started, you and your family will be protected and strengthened. Spiritual exercises, just like physical exercises, take perseverance because the visible rewards tend to show up over time. Remember, physical health is good, but spiritual health is crucial for the daily battle and for eternity!
“Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil” Ephesians 6:11
Only by praying together with their children can a father and mother -- exercising their royal priesthood -- penetrate the innermost depths of their children's hearts and leave an impression that future events in their lives will not be able to efface.(JPII, Familiaris Consortio)
(2) Deepen your Prayer Life
If you found out that someone was going to break into your home and hurt your family, wouldn’t you call for help and prepare yourself to defend them? Well, it’s actually true! Someone is prowling around looking for any opportunity to enter your family and do mortal harm! That someone is the Devil. To repel him, call upon God each day through prayer.
How do I pray?
“Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9
1)‘In order to pray, one must have the will to pray’ CCC 2650
Pray this simple prayer:
“Lord, I pray with all my will to pray well, and I trust that you will do the rest!”
2) “One must also learn how to pray” ccc 2650
Even the Apostles said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’ (Luke 11:1)
1) Schedule 15-30 minutes a day of Spiritual reading/personal prayer
2) Begin with the short booklet “Appointment with God,” #71, pages 558-598 Online or Order Prayer Book
3) Start each prayer time with the prayer above. Implement the suggestions from the booklet. Throughout your prayer time, speak candidly to God about your thoughts, hopes & fears
4) Watch accompanying video commentaries from the author for each section of the book (these are really helpful!) or purchase your own set of DVDs or CDs
5) Begin to share at least one appropriate insight with your family each day. This spiritual sharing will begin to form strong family bonds and further cause your faith to grow. Exercise your faith and it strengthens!
(3) Next, Learn the Secret: Mary!
“Behold your mother!” (John 19:26) Jesus spoke these words from the cross to St John and to us all. “And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” We, too, must obey Christ and take Mary into our homes & our hearts.
Why Mary?
St Louis de Montfort unveils this “Secret of Mary” and the incredible role given her to help each one of us.
A) During scheduled prayer time:
B) Involve your Family:
During dinner or your daily family time:
Share with your family each day at least one appropriate insight from your prayer time reading.
Highly Recommended:
b. Take the book slowly. Read a page or two each time and be attentive to your family’s attention span. It is better to leave them wanting (more) than wanting to leave! Ask your children the questions at the end of each section. This book masterfully explains the “Secret of Mary” in such simplicity that it often helps us adults understand it much better too!
(4) Begin 40 Days Preparation
You will now start the “Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary for Families”. Your scheduled prayer time, spiritual practices and family insight sharing have prepared you to take this powerful step in your faith journey.
What does "Consecration" mean? See video for Fr Kevin Barrett's explanation.
1) Watch the inspiring Fr Kevin video:
“What does it mean to be "Consecrated to Our Lady?” (9 min)
a. Note the precaution to read only what you can each day. The goal is to prayerfully read and enter into dialogue with God, not to necessarily finish all the readings!
3) Choose your start date and 34th day Consecration Feast date
4) Read daily Readings Online, as a pdf Pages 15-231, or Download MP3 version and listen!
5) Watch accompanying
videos online for each section, as you are able
a. Or Order
DVDs and CDs and or the Total Consecration Program
6) Regularly share appropriate insights with your family & pray recommended prayers together
(5) Encourage even more: our priests, bishops and others!
How?
1. By Registering your Total Consecration to the Holy Family, you give hope that the whole church is being deeply strengthened.
Why? John Paul II tells us:
“Every soul that rises above itself, raises the world!”
2. Learn the Additional Benefits of your Total Consecration to the Holy Family!
a. Your family shares in the satisfaction, prayers and good works of the Montfort Fathers and Brothers, the Daughters of Wisdom and the Brothers of St. Gabriel, the three congregations founded by St. Louis de Montfort.
b. On the occasion of the initial consecration or its renewal, a plenary indulgence is granted under the usual conditions (Confession, Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father). A plenary indulgence is also granted on the day of enrollment (registration) in the Association, Holy Thursday, Christmas, Feasts of the Annunciation, Immaculate Conception and St. Louis de Montfort, and every first Saturday of the month.
c. Your family is included in the list of families who have consecrated their families to the Holy Family presented to the Holy Father, the Pope.
Back to Step 2 ... Link to Step 4
