33-Day Preparation

FIRST PERIOD
12 DAYS
April 28 - May 9

THE SPIRIT OF WORLD

SECOND PERIOD
7 DAYS
May 10 - May 16

KNOWLEDGE OF SELF

THIRD PERIOD
7 DAYS
May 17 - May 23

KNOWLEDGE OF MARY

FOURTH PERIOD
7 DAYS
May 24 - May 30

KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS

THE DAY OF
CONSECRATION
May 31

FINAL PREPARATIONS

THE TRUE DEVOTION CONSECRATION TO JESUS THROUGH MARY

(The Consecration will take place on the Feast of the Queenship of Our Lady, May 31st)

REASONS FOR MAKING THE CONSECRATION IN RELATION TO GOD

1.   It is the will of God, as announced by Our Lady at Fatima. The fact that God wants this should be sufficient reason for making the Consecration.
2.  Mary is God's masterpiece and in justice deserves praise above and beyond what we give to anything else except the praise we give to God. God receives much glory when we honor Mary, the work of His hands.
3.  God has made Mary the channel or mediatrix of all graces. It would be an insult not to use the means that God has appointed for the distribution of His graces, and to seek other means instead.
4.  We imitate God's ways by our reliance on Mary in our lives. Just as God chose to enter this world through Mary and chose to rely on Mary for the work of the Redemption, we, likewise, should go to God through Mary and rely upon her for the work of our salvation.

REASONS FOR MAKING THE CONSECRATION IN RELATION TO OURSELVES

1. If we want to save our souls, then there is no better way of saving them than giving ourselves over to Mary.
2. There can be no salvation without the grace of God. This consecration is a surer and safer way of obtaining, increasing and keeping the graces of God.
3. Mary has been given the role of forming the saints of the end times. We are all called to be saints. There is no better school than the school of Mary for teaching, forming and maintaining sanctity.
4. A true devotion to Mary is almost a guarantee of salvation. This has been affirmed by the testimonies of numerous Saints, Fathers and Doctors of the Church. Who in their right mind doesn't want to save their soul?
5. The devils have confessed that they find it more difficult to overcome the true servants of Mary than other souls who have a lesser devotion to Mary.

THE DAY OF OUR CONSECRATION TO MARY
Friday, May 31st

THE CONSECRATION IS MERELY THE PLANTING OF
THE SEED OF THE TREE OF LIFE
The 33-day preparation is like the period of gestation where the child spends 9-months in the mother's womb. After that, the real life begins and the child needs to grow through various stages to reach the perfection of adulthood. Likewise, the making of the Consecration is only a beginning, not an end. The following thoughts will help you understand this and give you an outline to follow.

"As the essential of this devotion consists in the interior which it ought to form, it will not be equally understood by everybody. Some will stop at what is exterior in it, and will go no further, and these will be the greatest number. Some, in small number, will enter into its inward spirit; but they will only mount one step. Who will mount to the second step? Who will get as far as the third? Lastly, who will so advance as to make this devotion his habitual state? He alone to whom the spirit of Jesus Christ shall have revealed this secret, the faultlessly faithful soul whom He shall conduct there Himself, to advance from virtue to virtue, from grace to grace, from light to light, until he arrives at the transformation of himself into Jesus Christ, and to the plenitude of His age on earth and of His glory in Heaven." (St. Louis de Montfort,True Devotion to Mary, §119).

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO JESUS THROUGH MARY

O Eternal and Incarnate Wisdom! O sweetest and most adorable Jesus! True God and True Man, only Son of the Eternal Father and of Mary, always Virgin! I adore Thee profoundly in the bosom and splendors of Thy Father during eternity, and I adore Thee also in the virginal bosom of Mary Thy most worthy Mother, in the time of Thy Incarnation.

I give Thee thanks that Thou hast annihilated Thyself, taking the form of a slave in order to rescue me from the cruel slavery of the devil. I praise and glorify Thee that Thou hast been pleased to submit Thyself to Mary, Thy Holy Mother, in all things, in order to make me Thy faithful slave through her.

But, alas! Ungrateful and unfaithful as I have been, I have not kept the promises which I made so solemnly to Thee in my Baptism. I have not fulfilled my obligations; I do not deserve to be called Thy child nor yet Thy slave; and as there is nothing in me which does not merit Thine anger and Thy repulse, I dare not any more come by myself before Thy most holy and august Majesty. It is on this account that I have recourse to the intercession of Thy Most Holy Mother, whom Thou has given me for a mediatrix with Thee. It is through her that I hope to obtain of Thee contrition, the pardon of my sins, and the acquisition and preservation of Wisdom.

Hail then, Immaculate Mary, living Tabernacle of the Divinity, where the Eternal Wisdom willed to be hidden and to be adored by angels and by men! Hail, Queen of Heaven and Earth, to whose empire everything is subject which is under God! Hail, O sure Refuge of sinners; whose mercy fails no one! Hear the desires which I have of the Divine Wisdom, and for that end, receive the vows and offerings which in my lowliness I present to Thee.

I (here say your own name), a faithless sinner, renew and ratify today in thy hands the vows of my Baptism: I renounce forever Satan, his pomps and works; and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life and to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before.

In the presence of all the heavenly court, I choose thee this day for my Mother and Mistress. I deliver and consecrate to thee, as thy slave, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present and future; leaving to thee the entire and full right of disposing of me and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to thy good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and in eternity.

Receive, O benignant Virgin, this little offering of my slavery, in honor of, and in union with, that subjection which the Eternal Wisdom deigned to have to thy maternity, in homage to the power which both of you have over this poor sinner, and in thanksgiving for the privileges with which the Holy Trinity has favored thee. I declare that I wish henceforth, as thy true slave, to seek thy honor and to obey thee in all things.

O admirable Mother, present me to thy dear Son as His eternal slave, so that as He has redeemed me by thee, by thee He may receive me! O Mother of Mercy, grant that I may obtain the true Wisdom of God, and for that end receive me among those whom thou lovest and teachest, whom thou leadest, nourishest and protectest as thy children and thy slaves.

O faithful Virgin, make me in all things so perfect a disciple, imitator and slave of the Incarnate Wisdom, Jesus Christ thy Son, that I may attain, by thine intercession and by thine example, to the fullness of His age on Earth and of His glory in Heaven. Amen

THE LITTLE CROWN OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

CROWN OF EXCELLENCE

To honor the divine maternity of the Blessed Virgin; Her ineffable virginity; Her purity without stain; Her innumerable virtues.

1. Our Father....Hail Mary....Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, who didst bear the Lord, the Creator of the world; thou didst give birth to Him Who made thee and remainest a Virgin forever. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, rejoice a thousand times!

2. Hail Mary....O Holy and Immaculate Virgin, I know not with what praise to extol thee, since thou didst bear in thy womb the very One Whom the heavens cannot contain. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, rejoice a thousand times!

3. Hail Mary....Thou art all fair, O Virgin Mary, and there is no stain in thee. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, rejoice a thousand times!

4. Hail Mary....Thy virtues, O Virgin, surpass the stars in number. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, rejoice a thousand times!

5. Glory be to the Father....

CROWN OF POWER

To honor the royalty of the Blessed Virgin; Her magnificence; Her universal mediation; The strength of her rule

1. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to thee, O Empress of the world! Bring us with thee to the joys of heaven. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, rejoice a thousand times!

2. Hail Mary....Glory be to thee, O treasure house of the Lord's graces! Grant us a share in thy riches. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, rejoice a thousand times!

3. Hail Mary....Glory be to thee, O Mediatrix between God and man! Through thee may the Almighty be favorable to us. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, rejoice a thousand times!

4. Hail Mary....Glory be to thee, who destroyest heresies and crushest demons! Be thou our loving guide. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, rejoice a thousand times!

5. Glory be to the Father....

CROWN OF GOODNESS

To honor the mercy of the Blessed Virgin toward sinners, the poor, the just and the dying

1. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to thee, O refuge of sinners! Intercede for us with God. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, rejoice a thousand times!

2. Hail Mary....Glory be to thee, O Mother of orphans! Render the Almighty favorable to us. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, rejoice a thousand times!

3. Hail Mary....Glory be to thee, O joy of the just! Lead us with thee to the joys of heaven. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, rejoice a thousand times!

4. Hail Mary....Glory be to thee, who art ever ready to assist us in life and in death! Lead us with thee to the kingdom of heaven! Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, rejoice a thousand times!

5. Glory be to the Father....
Let us Pray
Hail Mary, Daughter of God the Father! Hail Mary, Mother of God the Son! Hail Mary, Spouse of the Holy Ghost! Hail Mary, Temple of the most Holy Trinity! Hail Mary, my Mistress, my treasure, my joy, Queen of my heart; my Mother, my life, my sweetness, my dearest hope, yea, my heart and my soul!

I am all thine and all that I have is thine, O Virgin blessed above all things! Let thy soul be in me to magnify the Lord; let thy spirit be in me to rejoice in God. Set thyself, O faithful Virgin, as a seal upon my heart, that in thee and through thee I may be found faithful to God.

Receive me, O gracious Virgin, among those whom thou lovest and teachest, whom thou leadest, nourishest and protectest as thy children. Grant that, for love of thee, I may despise all earthly consolations and ever cling to those of heaven; until through the Holy Ghost, thy faithful Spouse, and through thee, His faithful Spouse, Jesus Christ thy Son be formed in me for the glory of God the Father. Amen.

LITANY TO THE HOLY GHOST

Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us
Lord, have mercy on us
Father, all powerful,
Have mercy on us.
Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, Save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, Sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, Hear us.

Holy Ghost, Who proceedest
from the Father and the Son, Enter our hearts.

Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son,
Enter our hearts.

Promise of God the Father, Have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, Have mercy on us.
Author of all good, Have mercy on us.
Source of heavenly water, Have mercy on us.
Consuming fire, Have mercy on us.
Ardent charity, Have mercy on us.
Spiritual unction, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of love and truth, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of knowledge and piety, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of grace and prayer, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of peace and meekness, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of modesty and innocence, Have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, Have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, Have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, Have mercy on us.
Gift of God, the Most High, Have mercy on us.
Spirit Who fillest the universe, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts.
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces.
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good.
Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Send us Thy Holy Ghost.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.

V. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful.
R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy Love.

Let us pray
Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever. R. Amen.

LITANY OF
THE SACRED HEART

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, one God,

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God, the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Heart of Jesus, Son of the eternal Father,
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Ghost in the Virgin Mother’s womb,
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,
Heart of Jesus, of infinite Majesty,
Heart of Jesus, holy Temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of Heaven,
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love,
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts,
Heart of Jesus, wherein are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, wherein dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead,
Heart of Jesus, in Whom the Father is well pleased,
Heart of Jesus, of Whose fullness we have all received,
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy,
Heart of Jesus, rich unto all who call upon Thee,
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness,
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our offenses,
Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with reproaches,
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our iniquities,
Heart of Jesus, obedient even unto death,
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation,
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee,
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee,
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

V. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart,
R. Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray
Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of Thy well beloved Son and upon the praise and satisfaction which He offers unto Thee in the name of sinners; and do Thou, of Thy great goodness, grant them pardon when they seek Thy mercy, in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee for ever and ever. R. Amen.

LITANY OF THE
HOLY NAME OF JESUS

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us

Jesus, Son of the living God, Have mercy on us
Jesus, splendor of the Father, Have mercy on us
Jesus, brightness of eternal light, Have ...
Jesus, King of glory,
Jesus, sun of justice,
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary,
Jesus, most amiable,
Jesus, most admirable,
Jesus, mighty God,
Jesus, Father of the world to come,
Jesus, angel of the great counsel,
Jesus, most powerful,
Jesus, most patient,
Jesus, most obedient,
Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Jesus, lover of chastity,
Jesus, lover of us,
Jesus, God of peace,
Jesus, author of life,
Jesus, model of virtues,
Jesus, lover of souls,
Jesus, our God,
Jesus, our refuge,
Jesus, Father of the poor,
Jesus, treasure of the faithful,
Jesus, Good shepherd,
Jesus, true light,
Jesus, eternal wisdom,
Jesus, infinite goodness,
Jesus, our way and our life,
Jesus, joy of angels,
Jesus, King of patriarchs,
Jesus, master of Apostles,
Jesus, teacher of Evangelists,
Jesus, strength of martyrs,
Jesus, light of confessors,
Jesus, purity of virgins,
Jesus, crown of all saints,

Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus.

From all evil, Deliver us O Jesus
From all sin, Deliver us O Jesus
From Thy wrath, Deliver us O Jesus
From the snares of the devil, Deliver...
From the spirit of fornication,
From everlasting death,
From the neglect of Thine inspirations,
Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation,
Through Thy nativity,
Through Thine infancy,
Through Thy most divine life,
Through Thy labors,
Through Thine agony and Passion,
Through Thy cross and dereliction,
Through Thy sufferings,
Through Thy death and burial,
Through Thy Resurrection,
Through Thine Ascension,
Through Thine institution of the most Holy Eucharist,
Through Thy joys,
Through Thy glory,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Jesus.

V. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let us pray
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said: Ask and ye shall receive; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you; grant, we beseech Thee, to us who ask the gift of Thy divine love, that we may ever love Thee with all our hearts, and in all our words and actions, and never cease praising Thee.

Grant us, O Lord, a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy Name; for Thou never failest to govern those whom Thou dost solidly establish in Thy love. Who livest and reignest world without end. R. Amen.

LITANY TO THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, Pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us.
Mother of Christ, Pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, Pray for us.
Mother most pure, Pray for us.
Mother most chaste, Pray for us.
Mother inviolate, Pray for us.
Mother undefiled, Pray for us.
Mother most amiable, Pray for us.
Mother most admirable, Pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, Pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, Pray for us.
Mother of our Savior, Pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, Pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, Pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, Pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, Pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, Pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, Pray for us.
Mirror of justice, Pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, Pray for us.
Cause of our joy, Pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, Pray for us.
Vessel of honor, Pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, Pray for us.
Mystical rose, Pray for us.
Tower of David, Pray for us.
Tower of ivory, Pray for us.
House of gold, Pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant, Pray for us.
Gate of Heaven, Pray for us.
Morning Star, Pray for us.
Health of the sick, Pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, Pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, Pray for us.
Help of Christians, Pray for us.
Queen of Angels, Pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs, Pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, Pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, Pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, Pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, Pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, Pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, Pray for us.
Queen conceived without Original Sin, Pray for us.
Queen assumed into Heaven, Pray for us.
Queen of the most Holy Rosary, Pray for us.
Queen of peace, Pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray
Grant unto us, Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, at all times to enjoy health of soul and body; and by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary, ever virgin, when freed from the sorrows of this present life, to enter into that joy which hath no end. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

PRAYER TO JESUS
by St. Louis-Marie de Montfort

O most loving Jesus, deign to let me pour forth my gratitude before Thee, for the grace Thou hast bestowed upon me in giving me to Thy holy Mother through the devotion of Holy Bondage, that she may be my advocate in the presence of Thy majesty and my support in my extreme misery. Alas, O Lord! I am so wretched that without this dear Mother I should be certainly lost.

Yes, Mary is necessary for me at Thy side and everywhere: that she may appease Thy just wrath, because I have so often offended Thee; that she may save me from the eternal punishment of Thy justice, which I deserve; that she may contemplate Thee, speak to Thee, pray to Thee, approach Thee and please Thee; that she may help me to save my soul and the souls of others; in short, Mary is necessary for me that I may always do Thy holy will and seek Thy greater glory in all things.

Ah, would that I could proclaim throughout the whole world the mercy that Thou hast shown to me! Would that everyone might know I should be already damned, were it not for Mary! Would that I might offer worthy thanksgiving for so great a blessing! Mary is in me. Oh, what a treasure! Oh, what a consolation! And shall I not be entirely hers? Oh, what ingratitude! My dear Savior, send me death rather than such a calamity, for I would rather die than live without belonging entirely to Mary.

With St. John the Evangelist at the foot of the Cross, I have taken her a thousand times for my own and as many times have given myself to her but if I have not yet done it as Thou, dear Jesus, dost wish, I now renew this offering as Thou desire me to renew it. And if Thou seest in my soul or my body anything that does not belong to this august Princess, I pray Thee to take it and cast it far from me, for whatever in me does not belong to Mary is unworthy of Thee.

O Holy Spirit, grant me all these graces. Plant in my soul the Tree of true Life, which is Mary; cultivate it and tend it so that it may grow and blossom and bring forth the fruit of life in abundance. O Holy Spirit, give me great devotion to Mary, Thy faithful spouse; give me great confidence in her maternal heart and an abiding refuge in her mercy, so that by her Thou mayest truly form in me Jesus Christ, great and mighty, unto the fullness of His perfect age. Amen.

PRAYER TO MARY
by St. Louis-Marie de Montfort

Hail Mary, beloved Daughter of the Eternal Father! Hail Mary, admirable Mother of the Son! Hail Mary, faithful Spouse of the Holy Ghost! Hail Mary, my dear Mother, my loving mistress, my powerful sovereign! Hail my joy, my glory, my heart and my soul! Thou art all mine by mercy, and I am all thine by justice. But I am not yet sufficiently thine. I now give myself wholly to thee without keeping anything back for myself or others. If thou still seest in me anything which does not belong to thee, I beseech thee to take it and to make thyself the absolute mistress of all that is mine. Destroy in me all that may be displeasing to God, root it up and bring it to nought; place and cultivate in me everything that is pleasing to thee.

May the light of thy faith dispel the darkness of my mind; may thy profound humility take the place of my pride; may thy sublime contemplation check the distractions of my wandering imagination; may thy continuous sight of God fill my memory with His presence; may the burning love of thy heart inflame the lukewarmness of mine; may thy virtues take the place of my sins; may thy merits be my only adornment in the sight of God and make up for all that is wanting in me. Finally, dearly beloved Mother, grant, if it be possible, that I may have no other spirit but thine to know Jesus and His divine will; that I may have no other soul but thine to praise and glorify the Lord; that I may have no other heart but thine to love God with a love as pure and ardent as thine. I do not ask thee for visions, revelations, sensible devotion or spiritual pleasures. It is thy privilege to see God clearly; it is thy privilege to enjoy heavenly bliss; it is thy privilege to triumph gloriously in Heaven at the right hand of thy Son and to hold absolute sway over angels, men and demons; it is thy privilege to dispose of all the gifts of God, just as thou willest.

Such is, O heavenly Mary, “the best part” which the Lord has given thee and which shall never be taken away from thee—and this thought fills my heart with joy. As for my part here below, I wish for no other than that which was thine: to believe sincerely without spiritual pleasures; to suffer joyfully without human consolation; to die continually to myself without respite; and to work zealously and unselfishly for thee until death as the humblest of thy servants. The only grace I beg thee to obtain for me is that every day and every moment of my life I may say: Amen—so be it, to all that thou didst do while on earth; Amen—so be it, to all that thou art now doing in Heaven; Amen—so be it, to all that thou art doing in my soul, so that thou alone mayest fully glorify Jesus in me for time and eternity. Amen.

AVE MARIS STELLA

Hail, bright star of ocean,
God’s own Mother blest,
Ever sinless Virgin,
Gate of heavenly rest.

Taking that sweet Ave,
Which from Gabriel came,
Peace confirm within us,
Changing Eva’s name.

Break the captives’ fetters,
Light on blindness pour,
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.

Show thyself a Mother;
May the Word Divine,
Born for us thy Infant,
Hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,
Mildest of the mild,
Freed from guilt, preserve us,
Pure and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,
Make our way secure,
Till we find in Jesus,
Joy for evermore.

Through the highest Heaven
To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.

THOUGHTS ON HER THOUGHTS

► "I ask and command you to have a statue to be made [of Our Lady of Good Success] for the consolation and preservation of ... those faithful souls of that epoch [our present time], during which there will be a great devotion to me" (Our Lady of Good Success).

► “First, so that men in the future might realize how powerful I am in placating Divine Justice and obtaining mercy and pardon for every sinner, who comes to me with a contrite heart. For I am the Mother of Mercy and in me there is only goodness and love.” (Our Lady of Good Success).

► “And second …when tribulations of spirit and sufferings of the body oppress them and they seem to be drowning in this bottomless sea, let them gaze at my holy image, and I will always be there ready to listen to their cries and soothe their pain. Tell them that they should always run to their Mother with confidence and love...” (Our Lady of Good Success).

► "In order to free men from the bondage to these heresies, those whom the merciful love of my most Holy Son has designated to effect the restoration, will need great strength of will, constancy, valor and confidence of the just. There will be occasions when all will seem lost and paralyzed. This then will be the happy beginning of the complete restoration.” (Our Lady of Good Success).

► “But know, beloved daughter, that when your name is made known in the 20th century, there will be many who will not believe, claiming that this devotion is not pleasing to God...A simple humble faith in the truth of My apparitions to you, My beloved child, will be reserved for humble and fervent souls docile to the inspirations of grace, for Our Heavenly Father communicates His secrets to the simple of heart, and not to those whose hearts are inflated with pride, pretending to know what they do not, or self-satisfied with empty knowledge.” (Our Lady of Good Success).

► “Oh, if only human beings and religious knew what Heaven is and what it is to possess God, how differently they would live, sparing no sacrifice in order to enter more fully into possession of it! But some let themselves be dazzled by the false glamour of honors and human greatness, while others are blinded by self-love, not realizing that they are falling into lukewarmness, that immense evil which in religious houses destroys their fervor, humility, self-renunciation and the ceaseless practice of religious virtues and fraternal charity and that child-like simplicity which makes souls so dear to my Divine Son and to me, their Mother" (Our Lady of Good Success).

► “Woe to the world should it lack monasteries and convents! Men do not comprehend their importance, for, if they understood, they would do all in their power to multiply them, because in them can be found the remedy for all physical and moral evils... No one on the face of the Earth is aware whence comes the salvation of souls, the conversion of great sinners, the end of great scourges, the fertility of the land, the end of pestilence and wars, and the harmony between nations. All this is due to the prayers that rise up from monasteries and convents. Oh, if mortals only understood how to appreciate the time given to them, and would take advantage of each moment of their lives, how different the world would be! And a considerable number of souls would not fall to their eternal perdition! But this contempt is the fundamental cause for their downfall!” (Our Lady of Good Success)

Friday, May 31st
DAY OF CONSECRATION
FIRST MEDITATION
Living in Mary

(if you cannot manage to make all the meditations, do not worry, make as many as you can)

EXTRACT FROM THE ACT OF CONSECRATION

“Eternal and Incarnate Wisdom! O sweetest and most adorable Jesus! True God and True Man, only Son of the Eternal Father and of Mary always Virgin! I adore Thee profoundly in the bosom and splendors of Thy Father during eternity, and I adore Thee also in the virginal bosom of Mary Thy most worthy Mother, in the time of Thy Incarnation.”

MEDITATION

In his little book, Love of Eternal Wisdom, St. Louis-Marie de Montfort gives us a valuable abridgment of his spirituality which can be summed up in the words of St. Paul: “Christ living in us.” Christ lives in all Christians who are in the state of grace. In the great majority, however, the Christian life is only, as it were, in its embryo and never really gets beyond that embryonic stage. St. Louis’ aim is to develop that embryo until Christ has come to the fullness of His age in us. That is, until we have become perfect Christians.

According to Montfort this perfect Christian life is acquired by an ardent desire, continual prayer, universal mortification and a tender and true devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Among these four means, Montfort stresses devotion to Mary as the surest, the easiest and the quickest way to the perfect development of the Christ-life in us. We see this doctrine embodied in the renowned prayer: Jesus vivens in Maria, which, translated, reads as Jesus Living in Mary.

O Jesus living in Mary,
Come and live in Thy servants,
In the spirit of Thy holiness,
In the fullness of Thy might,
In the truth of Thy virtues,
In the perfection of Thy ways,
In the communion of Thy mysteries,
Subdue every hostile power
In Thy spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.

THINK, REFLECT, MAKE SOME RESOLUTIONS
(Meditation, for it to be true meditation, is always about making resolutions,
otherwise it is merely pious spiritual reading or spiritual musing).

Our Lady said that God wishes to establish devotion to her Immaculate Heart throughout the whole world.
THEN SEND A LINK FOR THIS TRUE DEVOTION CONSECRATION TO MARY TO OTHERS.
This is not meant for you alone, but for others. Otherwise you are like the man from the Parable of the Talents, who received one talent and buried it in the ground. His master was angry with him and took away what had been given to him. Do not bury the True Devotion to Mary Consecration, but share it!

Friday, May 31st
DAY OF CONSECRATION
SECOND MEDITATION
Are You Ready For A Holy Slavery?

(if you cannot manage to make all the meditations, do not worry, make as many as you can)

EXTRACT FROM THE ACT OF CONSECRATION

“I give Thee thanks that Thou hast annihilated Thyself, taking the form of a slave in order to rescue me from the cruel slavery of the devil. I praise and glorify Thee that Thou hast been pleased to submit Thyself to Mary, Thy Holy Mother, in all things, in order to make me Thy faithful slave through her.”

MEDITATION

A slave obeys his master’s will. What did our Master say to us? “Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart!” It is this humility, this meekness, this gentleness that we should set as our goal. Meek does not mean weak! It is said that grace operates suaviter et fortiter —that is to say gently and firmly. It was this gentleness, yet firmness, that made souls flock to Christ. St. Francis De Sales so rightly says: “A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a hundred barrels of vinegar.” It is this gentleness, yet firmness, that we should seek to acquire in the months and years following our Consecration.

As Divine Wisdom became Man for the purpose of drawing the hearts of men to love and imitate Him, He was pleased to clothe Himself with all human gentleness and kindness, in such an attractive and visible manner, as to present no defect nor unsightliness. This same disposition, towards gentleness, should also be our goal—it is something that will not be acquired overnight, but only when that seed of the True Devotion starts to take root in us and begins to grow into that gentle, yet strong, Tree of Life that is Mary.

If we consider Him in His origin, He is but goodness and meekness. He was born of the sweetest, the most tender and the most beautiful of all mothers, the Immaculate Mary. If you would appreciate the gentleness of Jesus, then consider first the gentleness of Mary, His Mother, whom He resembles by His pleasing character. Jesus is Mary’s child; in Him there is no haughtiness, no harshness, no unpleasantness; and still less, infinitely less, in Him than in His Mother, because He is Eternal Wisdom; He is gentleness and beauty itself. There should be no place for haughtiness, pride, harshness, sarcasm, etc., in our lives. These are the weeds that will choke the Tree of Life before it even has a chance to grow!

The Prophets foretold that because of His gentleness, “He would not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax,” which means that because of His abundant mercy He will not allow the loss of a poor sinner, even though the sinner may be broken-down, blinded, depraved by sin, and having already as it were, one foot in hell—unless the sinner should compel Him to do so. What does the name of Jesus, which is the proper name of Incarnate Wisdom, signify, if not an ardent charity, an infinite love and attractive meekness? Jesus, Savior, He Who saves man, and Whose characteristic is to love and to save man.

Jesus is gentle in His looks, in His words, in His actions. The face of this loving Savior is so serene and gentle that it charmed the eyes and the hearts of those who beheld Him. The shepherds who came to the stable to see Him were so spellbound by the serenity and beauty of His face, that for several days they remained to gaze upon Him in rapture. The Kings, exalted as they were, had no sooner than seen the loving features of this beautiful Child, laying aside their dignity, they fell on their knees by His crib. Tradition tells us that when Jesus was still very young, afflicted people and children in the vicinity went to see Him to find comfort and joy.

Jesus is also gentle in His words. When on earth, He conquered all by the meekness of His words. Never was He heard to cry out loudly or to argue heatedly. This was foretold by the Prophets. Those who listened to Him with good will, were charmed by the words of life which fell from His lips. They said: “Never did man speak like this man.” Those who hated Him, were surprised upon hearing His eloquence and wisdom. Never did a man speak with such meekness and unction. Whence did He have so much wisdom in His speech?

Multitudes of poor people left their homes and families to go and hear Him, even in the desert. They spent many days without eating and drinking, but they were filled by the meekness of His words. This meekness of His words was the bait which drew the Apostles after Him; it was the balm which healed the most incurable, and which comforted the most afflicted. To the disconsolate Mary Magdalen He spoke but one word, “Mary,” and she was overwhelmed with joy and happiness.

Finally, Jesus is gentle in His actions. This gentleness may be observed throughout the whole course of His life. It was said of Him that “He hath done all things well.” Which means all that Jesus Christ did, was done with such exactitude, wisdom, holiness and meekness, that nothing faulty or wanting can be found in what He did. Let us consider how gently this loving Incarnate Wisdom acted in all His ways.

The poor and the little children followed Him everywhere as one of their own. When they came near Him He embraced and blessed them. O, what sweetness and kindness! The poor, seeing Him dressed like the poor, simple in His manners, without ostentation or haughtiness, enjoyed His company. They stood by Him against the rich and the proud, when these calumniated and persecuted Him. He, in His turn, praised and blessed them upon every occasion.

But who will explain to us the gentleness of Jesus in His dealings with poor sinners? His gentleness with Mary Magdalen, the public sinner? His gracious condescension in converting the Samaritan woman? His mercy in pardoning the adulterous woman? His charity when He sat down to eat with public sinners in order to win them?

Did not His enemies take His great kindness as a pretext to persecute Him, saying that He countenanced the transgression of the law of Moses, and tauntingly called Him the friend of sinners and of publicans? How kindly and humbly did He not try to win over the heart of Judas who intended to betray Him, when He washed his feet and called him friend! And how charitably did He ask the pardon of God, His Father, for His executioners, pleading their ignorance as an excuse!

Oh, how beautiful, how meek, how charitable is Jesus, Incarnate Wisdom! How loving and gentle He is with all of us, poor sinners whom He came to seek visibly in this world, and whom He now seeks invisibly every day! Do you think that Jesus, now that He is triumphant and glorious, is any the less loving and condescending? On the contrary, His glory perfects, as it were, His mercy. He wishes to forgive rather than to be exalted, and to display the riches of His mercy rather than those of His glory.

Friday, May 31st
DAY OF CONSECRATION
THIRD MEDITATION
Lord, I Am Not Worthy...!

(if you cannot manage to make all the meditations, do not worry, make as many as you can)

EXTRACT FROM THE ACT OF CONSECRATION

“But, alas! ungrateful and unfaithful as I have been, I have not kept the promises which I made so solemnly to Thee in my Baptism. I have not fulfilled my obligations; I do not deserve to be called Thy child nor yet Thy slave; and as there is nothing in me which does not merit Thine anger and Thy repulse...”

MEDITATION
Most probably, the devil has at some point or another tried to make us feel totally inadequate and unworthy in the making of this Consecration. For some of us may well have been “ungrateful and unfaithful” to this tremendous grace that God has given us in being able to make this Consecration.

We are, or at least have been, sinners. Perhaps some of us have even been great sinners. How true, then, will be the words which we will pronounce on the day of Consecration: “I have not fulfilled my obligations; I do not deserve to be called Thy child nor even Thy slave; and as there is nothing in me which does not merit Thine anger and repulse, I dare no longer come by myself before Thy most holy and august Majesty.”

Yet, there was no sinner that Our Lord was not prepared to receive—He forgave and accepted Mary Magdalen amongst his followers, the woman caught in adultery and possessed by seven devils! He accepted the confession of guilt by the Good Thief on the cross, at the very last moment of his sin-infested life! He was even prepared to forgive Judas, who had betrayed Him to his enemies, trying to hint at this readiness by calling him “friend”! How then, can He refuse to accept us miserable sinners, when Scripture also says: “Is it my will that a sinner should die, saith the Lord God, and not that he should be converted from his ways and live?”

Friday, May 31st
DAY OF CONSECRATION
FOURTH MEDITATION
Hoping Through Mary

(if you cannot manage to make all the meditations, do not worry, make as many as you can)

EXTRACT FROM THE ACT OF CONSECRATION

“I dare not any more come by myself before Thy most holy and august Majesty. It is on this account that I have recourse to the intercession of Thy Most Holy Mother, whom Thou has given me for a mediatrix with Thee. It is through her that I hope to obtain of Thee contrition, the pardon of my sins, and the acquisition and the preservation of Wisdom.

“Hail then, Immaculate Mary, living Tabernacle of the Divinity, where the Eternal Wisdom willed to be hidden and to be adored by angels and by men! Hail, Queen of Heaven and earth, to whose empire everything is subject which is under God! Hail, O sure Refuge of sinners; whose mercy fails no one! Hear the desires which I have of the Divine Wisdom, and for that end, receive the vows and offerings which in my lowliness I present to Thee.”

MEDITATION

The greatest means of all, and the most wonderful of all secrets for obtaining Mercy and keeping God’s grace in our souls, is a tender and true devotion to the Blessed Mary. No one but Mary has ever found grace with God for herself and for the whole human race. No one but Mary has had the power to conceive and give birth to Him, and no one else has the power to bring Him to life in the soul of a sinner, as it were, through the operation of the Holy Spirit in the souls of those chosen by Him.

It is to the Mother of Mercy that we turn, asking her to turn those Eyes of Mercy towards us. For if she pleads to God on our behalf, then we can be sure that He will turn His Justice to Mercy, just as her pleading made her Son turn water into wine at Cana. How many sinners owe their salvation to this Merciful Mother! Listen to what the saints say of this Compassionate Queen:

St. Bernard says that: “She is impetuous in mercy, she is resistless in mercy. The duration of her mercy is unto the limits of the earth. The height of her mercy is unto the lowest abyss of sin and sorrow. She is always merciful. She is only merciful. She is our Mother of Mercy.”

St. Albert the Great says: “They who are not thy servants, O Mary, shall perish.” While St. Bonaventure repeats the same thought, saying: “They who neglect the service of Mary shall die in their sins....For them, from whom Mary turns away her face, there is not even a hope of salvation.”

The renowned St. Ignatius of Antioch, a martyr of the 2nd century, says: “A sinner can be saved through the Holy Virgin, who, by her merciful prayers, obtains salvation for so many, who, according to strict justice, would be lost.”

O, happy the souls who have won the favor of Mary! The Fathers of the Church tell us that Mary is the immense ocean of the perfections of God, the great storehouse of all His possessions, the inexhaustible treasury of the Lord, the treasurer and the dispenser of all His gifts. It is the will of God that since He gave His Son to Mary, we should receive all through her hands, and that no heavenly gift should flow down upon the earth without passing through Mary as through a channel.

Of her plenitude we have all received. If there is any grace, any hope of salvation in us, it is a gift which comes to us through Mary. She is so truly the Mistress of God’s possessions, that she gives to whom she wills and as she wills, all the graces of God, all the virtues of Jesus Christ, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, all good things in the order of nature, of grace and of glory.

Mary is the secret magnet which, wherever it is, draws Christ so powerfully that He cannot resist. This magnet drew Him down upon earth for the benefit of all men in general, and it still draws Him in particular every day to every man who possesses it. Once we possess Mary we shall easily and in a short time possess the Divine Wisdom through her intercession. Of all the means to possess Jesus Christ, Mary is the surest, the easiest, the shortest way and the holiest.

Were we to practice the most frightful penances; were we to undertake the most painful journeys and the most laborious works; were we to shed all our blood for the acquisition of the Divine Wisdom, all these efforts would be useless and insufficient to obtain Him without Mary’s intercession and solicitude. But if Mary speaks a word in our favor; if we love her; if we bear the mark of her faithful servants who do her will; then we shall quickly and easily possess Divine Wisdom.

LIFE AFTER CONSECRATION
The following text is also contained in one of the PDF downloads

“Although what is essential in this devotion consists in the interior, we must not fail to unite to the inward practice certain external observances. “We must do the one, yet not leave the other undone” (Mt. 23:23); because the outward practices, well performed, aid the inward ones; and because they remind man, who is always guided by his senses, of what he has done or ought to do; and also because they are suitable for edifying our neighbor, who sees them; these are things which inward practices cannot do. Let no worldling, then, or critic, intrude here to say that because true devotion is in the heart, we must avoid external devotion; or that devotion ought to be hidden, and that there may be vanity in showing it. I answer, with my Master, that men should see our good works, that they may glorify our Father who is in Heaven (Mt. 5:16); not, as St. Gregory says, that we ought to perform our actions and exterior devotions to please men and get praise—that would be vanity; but that we should sometimes do them before men with the view of pleasing God, and glorifying Him thereby, without caring either for the contempt or the praise of men. I will allude only briefly to some exterior practices, which I call “exterior” not because we do not perform them interiorly, but because they have something outward about them to distinguish them from those which are purely inward (True Devotion to Mary, §226).

1. Reciting the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary

“They may recite every day of their life, without however making a burden of it, the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin, composed of three Our Father’s and twelve Hail Mary’s, in honor of Our Lady’s twelve privileges and grandeurs. This is a very ancient practice and it has its foundation in Holy Scripture. St. John saw a woman crowned with twelve stars, clothed with the sun, and with the moon under her feet (Apoc. 12:1); and this woman, according to the interpreters, was the most holy Virgin” (True Devotion to Mary, §234).

“There are many ways of saying this Crown well, but it would take too long to enter upon them. The Holy Ghost will teach them to those who are the most faithful to this devotion. Nevertheless, to say it quite simply, we should begin by saying: ‘Grant that I may praise thee, holy Virgin; give me strength against thy enemies.’ After that, we should say the Apostles’ Creed, then an Our Father with four Hail Mary’s and then one Glory be to the Father; then another Our Father, four Hail Mary’s, and Glory be to the Father and so on with the rest; and at the end we should say the ‘Sub Tuum Praesidium’ i.e., ‘We fly to thy patronage’” (True Devotion to Mary, §235).

You will find the Little Crown, at end of this document. It is recommended that you say it daily—but as St. Louis says, without it becoming a burden to you. It may be well to set it aside for a little while if it starts to become too burdensome. Similarly, it would not constitute a sin to have omitted it on some days due to a crowded daily schedule. St. Louis does not tie us down with a multiplicity of devotions of an obligatory nature. He suggests certain things and then leaves the rest up to each individual soul and the Holy Ghost—“The Holy Ghost will teach them to those who are the most faithful to this devotion.”

2. Wearing Chains to Signify our Slavery to Jesus and Mary

“It is a most glorious and praiseworthy thing, and very useful to those who have thus made themselves slaves of Jesus in Mary, that they should wear, as a sign of their loving slavery, little iron chains, blessed with the proper blessing. It is perfectly true that these external insignia are not essential, and a person who has embraced this devotion may very well go without them; nevertheless, I cannot refrain from warmly praising those who, after having shaken off the shameful chains of the slavery of the devil, in which Original Sin, and perhaps actual sin, had bound them, have voluntarily surrendered themselves to the glorious slavery of Jesus Christ, and glory with St. Paul in being in chains for Christ (Eph. 3:1; Philem. 9), chains that are a thousand times more glorious and precious, though of iron, than all the golden ornaments of emperors” (True Devotion to Mary, §236).

“Once there was nothing more infamous on earth than the cross, and now that wood is the most glorious boast of Christianity. Let us say the same of the irons of slavery. There was nothing more ignominious among the ancients; there is nothing more shameful even now among the heathens. But among Christians, there is nothing more illustrious than the chains of Jesus; for they unchain us and preserve us from the infamous fetters of sin and the devil. They set us at liberty and chain us to Jesus and Mary; not by compulsion and constraint, like galley-slaves, but by charity and love, like children” (True Devotion to Mary, §237).

The following are the reasons for wearing these little chains:

“Firstly, to remind the Christian of the vows and promises of his Baptism, of the perfect renewal he has made of them by this devotion, and of the strict obligation under which he is to be faithful to them. As man, who shapes his course more often by the senses than by pure faith, easily forgets his obligations toward God unless he has some outward thing to remind him of them. These little chains serve marvelously to remind the Christian of the chains of sin and the slavery of the devil from which Baptism has delivered him, and of the dependence on Jesus which he has vowed to Him in Baptism, and of the ratification of it which he has made by the renewal of his vows. One of the reasons why so few Christians think of their baptismal vows, and live with as much license as if they had promised no more to God than the heathen, is that they do not wear any external sign to remind them of their vows” (True Devotion to Mary, §238).

“Secondly, to show that we are not ashamed of the servitude and slavery of Jesus Christ, and that we renounce the slavery of the world, of sin and of the devil. Thirdly, to protect ourselves against the chains of sin and of the devil; for we must wear either ‘the chains of sinners or the chains of charity and salvation’” (True Devotion to Mary, §239).

“These loving slaves of Jesus Christ, ‘the chained of Christ’ (Eph. 3:1; Philem. 9), can wear their chains on their feet or on their arms, around their body or around their neck. Fr. Vincent Caraffa, seventh Superior General of the Jesuits, who died in the odor of sanctity in the year 1643, used to wear an iron band around his feet as a mark of his servitude; and he said that his only regret was that he could not publicly drag a chain. Mother Agnes of Jesus, of whom we have spoken before, used to wear an iron chain around her body. Others have worn it around their neck in penance for the pearl necklaces which they had worn in the world; while others have worn it around their arms to remind themselves, in their manual labors, that they were slaves of Jesus Christ” (True Devotion to Mary, §242).

The chain we recommend above all chains, is a chain that has the Miraculous Medal hanging from it. On November 27, 1830, Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Labouré, at the Rue de Bac, in Paris and charged her with the mission of seeing that a medal be made according to the design shown to St. Catherine by Our Lady herself. Mary said that this medal, if worn with confidence around the neck, would draw upon the wearer an abundance of great graces. Obviously, the Medal is also worn on a chain. So what better sign of slavery, than to wear the Miraculous Medal on a chain!

There have been many saints who have worn chains as a penance—one of the most recent ones was the converted alcoholic of this century—Bl. Matthew Talbot, who, after they found him dead on the street, was found to have been wearing penitential chains under his clothing. However such acts of penance should never be undertaken without the permission of your spiritual director. Furthermore, I think that the Miraculous Medal would attract more notable graces than the imprudent wearing of other kinds of penitential chains!

3. Enrollment in the Brown Scapular

St. Louis-Marie de Montfort was a tireless advocate of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Scapular was first given to an Englishman, St. Simon Stock, on July 16, 1251. It was Heaven’s response to a plea from St. Simon Stock to save the then dwindling Carmelite Order, from the increasing waves of opposition that it was undergoing. Attached to this Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is the promise that nobody who dies clothed in this Scapular will suffer the fires of Hell: “This shall be a sign to you and to all Carmelites: whosoever dies wearing this, shall not suffer eternal fire.”

For a long time the Habit or Scapular was the exclusive property of the Carmelite Order, a sign of profession in it, and a sign of a life totally consecrated to Mary—but in the 14th century, we find a bridge appearing between Carmel and the world. Pious people living in the world became anxious to live its Marian-form life and to share in its spiritual treasury of prayers and good works. They affiliated themselves to the Order and were given the Scapular as a sign of that affiliation.

In a comparatively short time, the wearing of the Scapular spread to the whole Church and became the unmistakable mark of devotion to Mary. Popes, kings, princes, nobles and humble folk alike, all lived and died in the hope of participating in the Scapular Promise. Throughout time, it has kept generation after generation aware of its filial duty towards the Queen of Heaven and the Mother of Mercy.

Pope Pius XII, on the occasion of the 7th centenary of the Brown Scapular, said:

The Holy Scapular, which may be called the Habit or Garment of Mary, is a sign and a pledge of the protection of the Mother of God. But not for this reason, however, may they who wear the Scapular think that they can gain eternal salvation while remaining slothful and negligent of spirit, for the Apostle warns us: ‘In fear and trembling shall you work out your salvation.’ May it be to them a sign of their Consecration to the most sacred Heart of the Immaculate Virgin, which consecration we have so strongly recommended in recent times.”

4. Devotion to the Mystery of the Incarnation

“Those who undertake this holy slavery should have a special devotion to the great mystery of the Incarnation of the Word (March 25th). Indeed, the Incarnation is the mystery proper of this practice, inasmuch as it is a devotion inspired by the Holy Ghost: first, to honor and imitate the ineffable dependence which God the Son was pleased to have on Mary, for His Father’s glory and our salvation—which dependence particularly appears in this mystery wherein Jesus is a captive and a slave in the bosom of the divine Mary, and depends on her for all things—secondly, to thank God for the incomparable graces He has given Mary, and particularly for having chosen her to be His most holy Mother, which choice was made in this mystery. These are the two principal ends of the slavery of Jesus in Mary” (True Devotion to Mary, §243).

A very practical way of cultivating this devotion to the Mystery of the Incarnation is fidelity in praying the Angelus three times a day—morning, noon and evening. One can also find a host of meditative thoughts to ponder upon, while reciting the vocal prayers of the Angelus. St. Louis-Marie de Montfort’s book, The Love of Eternal Wisdom, provides so many appropriate themes and ideas for us to dwell upon.

5. Devotion to the Hail Mary

“Those who adopt this slavery ought also to have a great devotion to saying the Hail Mary (the Angelical Salutation). Few Christians, however enlightened, know the real value, merit, excellence, and necessity of the Hail Mary. It was necessary for the Blessed Virgin to appear several times to great and enlightened saints to show them the merit of it. She did so to St. Dominic, St. John Capistran and Blessed Alan de la Roche” (True Devotion to Mary, §249).

“They have composed entire works on the wonders and efficacy of that prayer for converting souls. They have loudly proclaimed and openly preached that, salvation having begun with the Hail Mary, the salvation of each one of us in particular is attached to that prayer. They tell us that it is that prayer which made the dry and barren earth bring forth the fruit of life; and that it is that prayer well said which makes the word of God germinate in our souls, and bring forth Jesus Christ, the Fruit of Life” (True Devotion to Mary, §249).

“They tell us that the Hail Mary is a heavenly dew for watering the earth, which is the soul, to make it bring forth its fruit in season; and that a soul which is not watered by that prayer bears no fruit, and brings forth only thorns and brambles, and is ready to be cursed (Heb. 6:8)” (True Devotion to Mary, §249).

Let us remember the divine origins of this beautiful prayer. God the Father sent the Angel Gabriel with those opening words: “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou among women!” While God the Holy Ghost spoke through the mouth of St. Elizabeth, saying: “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!” These words, carefully chosen by God Himself, should be engraved with love and reverence upon our hearts. I recommend that you read parts of St. Louis-Marie de Montfort’s book, The Secret of the Rosary, in order to have a greater understanding and love of this beautiful Angelic Salutation.

6. Devotion to the Holy Rosary

St. Louis writes the following in his book, True Devotion to Mary:

“Listen to what Our Lady revealed to Blessed Alan de la Roche, as he has recorded in his book on the dignity of the Rosary: ‘Know, my son, and make all others know, that it is a probable and proximate sign of eternal damnation to have an aversion, a lukewarmness, or a negligence in saying the Angelical Salutation, which has repaired the whole world’” (True Devotion to Mary, §250).

“These words are at once terrible and consoling, and we should find it hard to believe them, if we had not that holy man for a guarantee, and St. Dominic before him, and many great men since. But we have also the experience of several ages; for it has always been remarked that those who wear the outward sign of reprobation, like all impious heretics and proud worldlings, hate or despise the Hail Mary and the Rosary. Heretics still learn and say the Our Father, but not the Hail Mary nor the Rosary. They abhor it; they would rather wear a serpent than a Rosary. The proud also, although Catholics, have the same inclinations as their father Lucifer; and so have only contempt or indifference for the Hail Mary, and look at the Rosary as at a devotion which is good only for the ignorant and for those who cannot read” (True Devotion to Mary, §250).

“On the contrary, it is an equally universal experience that those who have otherwise great marks of predestination about them love and relish the Hail Mary, and delight in saying it. We always see that the more a man is for God, the more he likes that prayer. This is what Our Lady also said to Blessed Alan, after the words which I have just quoted” (True Devotion to Mary §250).

“I do not know how it is, nor why, but, nevertheless, I know well that it is true; nor have I any better secret of knowing whether a person is for God than to examine if he likes to say the Hail Mary and the Rosary. I say, if he likes; for it may happen that a person may be under some natural inability to say it, or even a supernatural one; yet, nevertheless, he likes it always, and always inspires the same liking in others” (True Devotion to Mary, §251).

“The Hail Mary well said—that is, with attention, devotion, and modesty—is, according to the saints, the enemy of the devil which puts him to flight, and the hammer which crushes him. It is the sanctification of the soul, the joy of the angels, the melody of the predestinate, the canticle of the New Testament, the pleasure of Mary, and the glory of the most Holy Trinity. The Hail Mary is a heavenly dew which fertilizes the soul. It is the chaste and loving kiss which we give to Mary. It is a vermilion rose which we present to her; a precious pearl we offer her; a chalice of divine ambrosial nectar which we proffer to her. All these are comparisons of the saints” (True Devotion to Mary, §253).

“I pray you urgently, by the love I bear you in Jesus and Mary, not to content yourselves with saying the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin, but to say five decades, or even, if you have time, fifteen decades of the Rosary every day. At the moment of your death you will bless the day and the hour in which you followed my advice. Having thus sown in the blessings of Jesus and Mary, you will reap eternal blessings in Heaven. ‘He who soweth in blessings, shall also reap blessings’ (II Cor. 9:6)” (True Devotion to Mary, §254).

All this is reinforced upon all sides. Our Lady appeared at Lourdes and Fatima asking for the Holy Rosary to be prayed. The Holy Rosary has been endorsed by a long succession of popes and saints. The often miraculous consequences of reciting the Rosary have been much and well chronicled. Our Lady has requested that, in today’s age, it be recited everywhere.

Even though St. Louis says that it is better to say one Hail Mary well than thousands badly, we must nevertheless remember that she said of little Francisco at Fatima that he would have to recite many Rosaries before he would get to Heaven! What evil and harm could such a small child have accomplished in his sheltered, short life back in 1917—when the world was much less corrupt than it is today? How much more applicable should that phrase be today—you will have to recite many Rosaries before you can get to Heaven? Let us recite those Rosaries—not out of routine, not mechanically, not distractedly, not in haste, but with dignity, attention and devotion!

7. Devotion to Our Lady’s Own Prayer—The Magnificat

“To thank God for the graces He has given to Our Lady, those who adopt this devotion will often say the Magnificat, as Blessed Mary d’Oignies did, and many other saints. It is the only prayer, the only work, which the holy Virgin composed, or rather, which Jesus composed in her; for He spoke by her mouth. It is the greatest sacrifice of praise which God ever received from a pure creature in the law of grace. It is, on the one hand, the most humble and grateful, and on the other hand, the most sublime and exalted, of all canticles” (True Devotion to Mary, §255).

“There are in that canticle mysteries so great and hidden that the angels do not know them. The pious and erudite Gerson employed a great part of his life in composing works upon the most difficult subjects; and yet it was only at the close of his career, and even with trembling, that he undertook to comment on the Magnificat, so as to crown all his other works. He wrote a folio volume on it, bringing forward many admirable things about that beautiful and divine canticle” (True Devotion to Mary, §255).

“Among other things, he says that Our Lady often repeated it herself, and especially for thanksgiving after Communion. The learned Benzonius [Rutilio], in explaining the Magnificat, relates many miracles wrought by virtue of it, and says that the devils tremble and fly when they hear these words: ‘He hath showed might in His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.’ (Lk. 1:51)” (True Devotion to Mary, §255).

This wonderful hymn of thanksgiving is an ideal prayer to recite after receiving Holy Communion. And if done so, it almost reproduces the circumstances in which it was first recited by the Blessed Virgin herself. For at the moment of the Visitation, when Our Lady prayed the Magnificat, she was carrying Our Lord within the temple of her womb. Similarly, at Holy Communion, we are carrying Our Lord in the temple of our soul. If, according to the learned Gerson, Our Lady was wont to say it after her own Communions, how much more should we not rush to imitate her in our own Communions. Perhaps we too shall bring about some of the above-mentioned miracles, wrought in virtue of the Magnificat.

8. Performing All Our Actions with Mary

“We must do all our actions with Mary; that is to say, we must in all our actions regard Mary as an accomplished model of every virtue and perfection which the Holy Ghost has formed in a pure creature for us to imitate according to our little measure. We must therefore in every action consider how Mary has done it, or how she would have done it, had she been in our place. For that end we must examine and meditate on the great virtues which she practiced during her life, and particularly, first of all, her lively faith, by which she believed without hesitation the angel’s word, and believed faithfully and constantly up to the foot of the cross; secondly, her profound humility, which made her hide herself, hold her peace, submit to everything, and put herself the last of all; and, thirdly, her altogether divine purity, which never has had, and never can have, its equal under Heaven; and so on with all of her other virtues. Let us remember, I repeat, that Mary is the great and exclusive mold of God, proper to making living images of God at small cost and in a little time; and that a soul which has found that mold, and has lost itself in it, is presently changed into Jesus Christ, Whom that mold represents to the life” (True Devotion to Mary, §260).

9. Performing All Our Actions in Mary

“We must do our actions in Mary. To thoroughly understand this practice, we must first know that our Blessed Lady is the true terrestrial paradise of the New Adam, and that the ancient paradise was but a figure of her. There are, then, in this earthly paradise, riches, beauties, rarities and inexplicable sweetness which Jesus Christ, the New Adam, has left there; it was in this paradise that He took His complacence for nine months, worked His wonders and displayed His riches with the magnificence of a God” (True Devotion to Mary, §261).

“This most holy place is composed only of a virginal and immaculate earth, of which the New Adam was formed, and on which He was nourished, without any spot or stain, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, who dwelt there. It is in this earthly paradise that there is the true tree of life, which has borne Jesus Christ, the Fruit of Life, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which has given light unto the world” (True Devotion to Mary, §261).

“There are in this divine place trees planted by the hand of God, and watered by His divine unction, which have borne and daily bear fruits of a divine taste. There are flower beds adorned with beautiful and varied blossoms of virtues diffusing odors which delight the very angels” (True Devotion to Mary, §261).

“There are meadows green with hope, impregnable towers of strength, and the most charming houses of confidence. It is only the Holy Ghost who can make us know the hidden truth of these figures of material things” (True Devotion to Mary, §261).

“There is in this place an air of perfect purity; a fair sun, without shadow, of the Divinity; a fair day, without night, of the Sacred Humanity; a continual burning furnace of love, where all the iron that is cast into it is changed, by excessive heat, to gold” (True Devotion to Mary, §261).

“There is a river of humility which springs from the earth, and which, dividing itself into four branches, waters all that enchanted place; and these are the four cardinal virtues” (True Devotion to Mary, §261).

10. Performing All Our Actions for Mary

“Finally we must do all our actions for Mary. As we have given ourselves up entirely to her service, it is but just to do everything for her as servants and slaves. It is not that we take her for the last end of our services, for that is Jesus Christ alone; but we take her for our proximate end, our mysterious means and our easy way to go to Him. Like good servants and slaves, we must not remain idle, but, supported by her protection, we must undertake and achieve great things for this august sovereign” (True Devotion to Mary, §265).

“We must defend her privileges when they are disputed; we must stand up for her glory when it is attacked; we must draw all the world, if we can, to her service, and to this true and solid devotion; we must speak and cry out against those who abuse her devotion to outrage her Son, and we must at the same time establish this veritable devotion; we must pretend to no recompense for our little services, except the honor of belonging to so sweet a Queen, and the happiness of being united through her to Jesus her Son by an indissoluble tie, in time and in eternity. Glory to Jesus in Mary! Glory to Mary in Jesus! Glory to God alone!” (True Devotion to Mary, §265).

11. Going to Holy Communion with Mary

“Manner of practicing this devotion when we go to Holy Communion:

1. You must humble yourself most profoundly before God.
2. You must renounce your corrupt interior and your dispositions, however good your self-love may make them look.
3. You must renew your consecration by saying: “I am all thine, my dear Mistress, with all that I have.”
4. You must implore that good Mother to lend you her heart, that you may receive her Son there with the same dispositions as her own” (True Devotion to Mary, §266).

“You will explain to her that it touches her Son’s glory to be put into a heart so sullied and so inconstant as yours, which would not fail either to lessen His glory or to destroy it. But if she will come and dwell with you, in order to receive her Son, she can do so by the dominion which she has over all hearts; and her Son will be well received by her, without stain, without danger of being outraged or unnoticed: ‘God is in the midst thereof, it shall not be moved’ (Ps. 45:6)” (True Devotion to Mary, §266).

“You will tell her confidently that all you have given her of your goods is little enough to honor her; but that by Holy Communion you wish to make her the same present as the Eternal Father gave her, and that you will honor her more by that than if you gave her all the goods in the world and finally, that Jesus, who loves her in a most special manner, still desires to take His pleasure and repose in her, even in your soul, though it be far filthier and poorer than the stable where He did not hesitate to come, simply because she was there. You will ask her for her heart, by these tender words: ‘I take thee for my all. Give me thy heart, O Mary’” (True Devotion to Mary, §266).

“After the Our Father, just before receiving Jesus Christ, you say three times: ‘Lord, I am not worthy.’ Say the first one to the Eternal Father, telling Him you are not worthy, because of your evil thoughts and ingratitude toward so good a Father, to receive His only Son; but that He is to behold Mary His handmaid—‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord’ (Lk. 1:38)—who acts for you and who gives you a singular confidence and hope with His Majesty: ‘For thou singularly hast settled me in hope’” (Ps. 4:10) (True Devotion to Mary, §267).

You will say to the Son: ‘Lord, I am not worthy’; telling Him that you are not worthy to receive Him because of your idle and evil words and your infidelity to His service; but that nevertheless you pray Him to have pity on you, because you are about to bring Him into the house of His own Mother and yours, and that you will not let Him go without His coming to lodge with her: ‘I held Him; and I will not let Him go, till I bring Him into my Mother’s house and into the chamber of her that bore me’ (Cant. 3:4)” (True Devotion to Mary, §268).

“You will pray to Him to rise, and come to the place of His repose and into the ark of His sanctification: ‘Arise, Lord, into Thy resting place: Thou and the ark which Thou hast sanctified.’ (Ps. 131:8). Tell Him you put no confidence at all in your own merits, your own strength and your own preparations, as Esau did; but that you trust only in Mary, your dear Mother, as the little Jacob did in Rebecca. Tell Him that, sinner and Esau that you are, you dare to approach His sanctity, supported and adorned as you are with the virtues of His holy Mother” (True Devotion to Mary, §268).

“You will say to the Holy Ghost: ‘Lord, I am not worthy’; telling Him that you are not worthy to receive this masterpiece of His charity, because of the lukewarmness and iniquity of your actions, and because of your resistance to His inspirations; but that all your confidence is in Mary, His faithful spouse. You will say, with St. Bernard: ‘She is my greatest security; she is the source of all my hope.’ You can even pray Him to come Himself in Mary, His inseparable spouse, telling Him that her bosom is as pure and her heart as burning as ever; and that, without His descent into your soul, neither Jesus nor Mary will be formed nor worthily lodged” (True Devotion to Mary §269).

“After Holy Communion, inwardly recollected and holding your eyes shut, you will introduce Jesus into the heart of Mary. You will give Him to His Mother, who will receive Him lovingly, will place Him honorably, will adore Him profoundly, will love Him perfectly, will embrace Him closely, and will render to Him, in spirit and in truth, many homages which are unknown to us in our thick darkness” (True Devotion to Mary §270).

“Or else you will keep yourself profoundly humbled in your heart, in the presence of Jesus residing in Mary. Or else you will sit like a slave at the gate of the King’s palace, where He is speaking with the Queen; and while they talk to each other without need of you, you will go in spirit to Heaven and over all the earth, praying all creatures to thank, adore and love Jesus and Mary in your place: ‘Come, let us adore’ (Ps. 94:6)” (True Devotion to Mary §271).

“Or else you will yourself ask of Jesus, in union with Mary, the coming of His kingdom on earth, through His holy Mother; or you will sue for divine wisdom, or for divine love, or for the pardon of your sins, or for some other grace; but always by Mary and in Mary; saying, while you look aside at yourself: ‘Lord, look not at my sins’; ‘but let Your eyes look at nothing in me but the virtues and merits of Mary.’ And then, remembering your sins, you will add: ‘It is I who have committed these sins’ (Cf. Mt. 13:28); or you will say: ‘Deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man’ (Ps. 42:1); or else: ‘My Jesus, You must increase in my soul, and I must decrease’ (Jn. 3:30); Mary, you must increase within me, and I must be still less than I have been. ‘O Jesus and Mary, increase in me, and multiply yourselves outside in others also’ (Cf. Gen. 1:22 ff.)” (True Devotion to Mary §272).

“There are an infinity of other thoughts which the Holy Ghost furnishes, and will furnish you, if you are thoroughly interior, mortified and faithful to this grand and sublime devotion which I have been teaching you. But always remember that the more you allow Mary to act in your Communion, the more Jesus will be glorified; and you will allow Mary to act for Jesus and Jesus to act in Mary in the measure that you humble yourself and listen to them in peace and in silence, without troubling yourself about seeing, tasting or feeling; for the just man lives throughout on faith, and particularly in Holy Communion, which is an action of faith: ‘My just man liveth by faith’ (Heb. 10:38)” (True Devotion to Mary §273).

12. Join the Legion of Mary as an Active Member or an Auxiliary Member

The Legion of Mary is a lay organization which is, in effect, an extension of the priest. It is entirely based upon the spirituality of St. Louis-Marie de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary and is, therefore, a natural progression or practical consequence of the True Devotion to Mary Consecration. The consecration plants the seed of True Devotion, whereas the Legion of Mary is that same seed grown into a mature “Tree of Life.”

The Active Members of the Legion of Mary form a body of lay men and women, who meet weekly to discuss and report upon their allocated apostolic work, given to them by their parish priest. Work can include working with fallen-away Catholics; potential converts; teaching the Catechism at varying levels; visiting the sick and elderly at home, in hospitals and nursing homes; working with the youth; distributing Catholic literature; spreading the True Devotion to Mary of St. Louis-Marie de Montfort; organizing and running an Our Lady of Fatima Pilgrim Virgin Statue campaign; organizing Rosary Rallies; working in various ways to raise the spiritual fervor of their local parish, etc.

The parish priest, when faced by the multitude of possible apostolates, can do very little with the time he has at his disposal. Hence the need for dedicated co-workers, under his guidance and encouragement, in order to be able to reach more places and more souls.

The Auxiliary Members of the Legion of Mary do not do any active work. On the contrary, they supply the active workers with the graces that they so badly need in order to successfully accomplish their work. Their sole obligation is to recite the Holy Rosary daily, together with a few other short Marian prayers that are contained on a Legion Prayer Sheet called the Tessera.

13. The Saints at the End Times of the World
(taken from True Devotion to Mary)

To Mary, His faithful spouse, God the Holy Ghost has communicated His unspeakable gifts; and He has chosen her to be the dispenser of all He possesses, in such wise that she distributes to whom she wills, as much as she wills, as she wills and when she wills, all His gifts and graces.

God the Father wishes to have children by Mary till the consummation of the world. Just as in the natural and corporal generation of children there are a father and a mother, so in the supernatural and spiritual generation there are a Father, who is God, and a Mother, who is Mary. All the true children of God, the predestinate, have God for their Father and Mary for their Mother. He who has not Mary for his Mother has not God for his Father.

God the Son wishes to form Himself, and, so to speak, to incarnate Himself in His members every day, by His dear Mother, and He says to her: “My dear Mother, you shall have for your heritage and possession only the predestinate, prefigured by Israel; and as their Mother, you shall bring them forth and take care of them; and as their sovereign, you shall conduct them, govern them and defend them”.

St. Augustine, surpassing himself, and going beyond all I have yet said, affirms that all the predestinate, in order to be conformed to the image of the Son of God, are in this world hidden in the womb of the most holy Virgin, where they are guarded, nourished, brought up and made to grow by that good Mother until she has brought them forth to glory after death, which is properly the day of their birth, as the Church calls the death of the just.

When Mary has struck her roots in a soul, she produces there marvels of grace, which she alone can produce, because she alone is the fruitful Virgin who never has had, and never will have, her equal in purity and in fruitfulness.

Mary has produced, together with the Holy Ghost, the greatest thing which has been or ever will be–a God Man; and she will consequently produce the greatest saints that there will be in the end of time. The formation and the education of the great saints who shall come at the end of the world are reserved for her. For it is only that singular and miraculous Virgin who can produce, in union with the Holy Ghost, singular and extraordinary things.

When the Holy Ghost, her Spouse, has found Mary in a soul, He flies there. He enters there in His fullness; He communicates Himself to that soul abundantly, and to the full extent to which it makes room for His spouse. Nay, one of the greatest reasons why the Holy Ghost does not now do startling wonders in our souls is because He does not find there a sufficiently great union with His faithful and inseparable spouse.

I have said that this would come to pass, particularly at the end of the world and indeed presently, because the Most High with His holy Mother has to form for Himself great saints who shall surpass most of the other saints in sanctity as much as the cedars of Lebanon outgrow the little shrubs.

These great souls, full of grace and zeal, shall be chosen to match themselves against the enemies of God, who shall rage on all sides; and they shall be singularly devout to our Blessed Lady, illuminated by her light, strengthened with her nourishment, led by her spirit, supported by her arm and sheltered under her protection, so that they shall fight with one hand and build with the other. With the one hand they shall fight, overthrow and crush the heretics with their heresies, the schismatics with their schisms, the idolaters with their idolatries and the sinners with their impieties. With the other hand they shall build (Esdras 4:7) the temple of the true Solomon and the mystical city of God, that is to say, the most holy Virgin, called by the Fathers the “Temple of Solomon” and the “City of God.” By their words and their examples they shall draw the whole world to true devotion to Mary. This shall bring upon them many enemies, but shall also bring many victories and much glory for God alone. It is necessary, then, for the greater knowledge and glory of the Most Holy Trinity, that Mary should be more than ever known.

Mary must shine forth more than ever in mercy, in might and in grace, in these latter times: in mercy, to bring back and lovingly receive the poor strayed sinners who shall be converted and shall return to the Catholic Church; in might, against the enemies of God, idolaters, schismatics, Mahometans, Jews and souls hardened in impiety, who shall rise in terrible revolt against God to seduce all those who shall oppose them and to make them fall by promises and threats; and finally, she must shine forth in grace, in order to animate and sustain the valiant soldiers and faithful servants of Jesus Christ, who shall battle for His interests.

And lastly, Mary must be terrible to the devil and his crew, as an army ranged in battle, principally in these latter times, because the devil, knowing that he has but little time, and now less than ever, to destroy souls, will every day redouble his efforts and his combats. He will presently raise up cruel persecutions and will put terrible snares before the faithful servants and true children of Mary, whom it gives him more trouble to conquer than it does to conquer others.

It is principally of these last and cruel persecutions of the devil, which shall go on increasing daily till the reign of Antichrist, that we ought to understand that first and celebrated prediction and curse of God pronounced in the terrestrial paradise against the serpent. It is to our purpose to explain this here for the glory of the most holy Virgin, for the salvation of her children and for the confusion of the devil: “I will put enmities between thee and the woman and thy seed and her seed; she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.” (Genesis 3:15).

God has never made and formed but one enmity; but it is an irreconcilable one, which shall endure and grow even to the end. It is between Mary, His worthy Mother, and the devil–between the children and the servants of the Blessed Virgin, and the children and tools of Lucifer. The most terrible of all the enemies which God has set up against the devil is His holy Mother Mary. He has inspired her, even since the days of the earthly paradise–though she existed then only in His idea–with so much hatred against that cursed enemy of God, with so much ingenuity in unveiling the malice of that ancient serpent, with so much power to conquer, to overthrow and to crush that proud, impious rebel, that he fears her not only more than all angels and men, but in a sense more than God Himself. Not that the anger, the hatred and the power of God are not infinitely greater than those of the Blessed Virgin, for the perfections of Mary are limited; but first, because Satan, being proud, suffers infinitely more from being beaten and punished by a little and humble handmaid of God, and her humility humbles him more than the divine power; and secondly, because God has given Mary such great power against the devils that–as they have often been obliged to confess, in spite of themselves, by the mouths of the possessed–they fear one of her sighs for a soul more than the prayers of all the saints, and one of her threats against them more than all other torments.

God has not only set an enmity, but enmities, not simply between Mary and the devil, but between the race of the holy Virgin and the race of the devil; that is to say, God has set enmities, antipathies and secret hatreds between the true children and servants of Mary and the children and slaves of the devil. They have no love for each other. They have no sympathy for each other. The children of Belial, the slaves of Satan, the friends of the world (for it is the same thing) have always up to this time persecuted those who belong to our Blessed Lady, and will in the future persecute them more than ever; just as Cain, of old, persecuted his brother Abel, and Esau his brother Jacob, who are the figures of the reprobate and the predestinate. But the humble Mary will always have the victory over that proud spirit, and so great a victory that she will go so far as to crush his head, where his pride dwells. She will always discover the malice of the serpent. She will always lay bare his infernal plots and dissipate his diabolical councils, and even to the end of time will guard her faithful servants from his cruel claw.

But the power of Mary over all the devils will especially shine forth in the latter times, when Satan will lay his snares against her heel: that is to say, her humble slaves and her poor children, whom she will raise up to make war against him. They shall be little and poor in the world’s esteem, and abased before all like the heel, trodden underfoot and persecuted as the heel is by the other members of the body. But in return for this they shall be rich in the grace of God, which Mary shall distribute to them abundantly. They shall be great and exalted before God in sanctity, superior to all other creatures by their lively zeal, and so well sustained with God’s assistance that, with the humility of their heel, in union with Mary, they shall crush the head of the devil and cause Jesus Christ to triumph.

In a word, God wishes that His holy Mother should be at present more known, more loved, more honored than she has ever been. This, no doubt, will take place if the predestinate enter, with the grace and light of the Holy Ghost, into the interior and perfect practice which I will disclose to them shortly. Then they will see clearly, as far as faith allows, that beautiful Star of the Sea. They will arrive happily in harbor, following its guidance, in spite of the tempests and the pirates. They will know the grandeurs of that Queen, and will consecrate themselves entirely to her service as subjects and slaves of love. They will experience her sweetness and her maternal goodness, and they will love her tenderly like well beloved children. They will know the mercies of which she is full, and the need they have of her help; and they will have recourse to her in all things, as to their dear advocate and Mediatrix with Jesus Christ. They will know what is the surest, the easiest, the shortest and the most perfect means of going to Jesus Christ; and they will give themselves to Mary, body and soul, without reserve, that they may thus belong entirely to Jesus Christ.

But who shall those servants, slaves and children of Mary be? They shall be the ministers of the Lord who, like a burning fire, shall kindle the fire of divine love everywhere. They shall be “like sharp arrows in the hand of the powerful” Mary to pierce her enemies. (Psalm 126:4). They shall be the sons of Levi, well purified by the fire of great tribulation, and closely adhering to God (I Corinthians 6:17), who shall carry the gold of love in their heart, the incense of prayer in their spirit, and the myrrh of mortification in their body. They shall be everywhere the good odor of Jesus Christ to the poor and to the little, while at the same time, they shall be an odor of death to the great, to the rich and to the proud worldlings.

They shall be clouds thundering and flying through the air at the least breath of the Holy Ghost; who, detaching themselves from everything and troubling themselves about nothing, shall shower forth the rain of the Word of God and of life eternal. They shall thunder against sin; they shall storm against the world; they shall strike the devil and his crew; and they shall pierce through and through, for life or for death, with their two-edged sword of the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), all those to whom they shall be sent on the part of the Most High.

They shall be the true apostles of the latter times, to whom the Lord of Hosts shall give the word and the might to work marvels and to carry off with glory the spoils of His enemies. They shall sleep without gold or silver, and, what is more, without care, in the midst of the other priests, ecclesiastics, and clerics (Psalm 67:14); and yet they shall have the silvered wings of the dove to go, with the pure intention of the glory of God and the salvation of souls, wheresoever the Holy Ghost shall call them. Nor shall they leave behind them, in the places where they have preached, anything but the gold of charity, which is the fulflillment of the whole law. (Romans 13:10).

In a word, we know that they shall be true disciples of Jesus Christ, walking in the footsteps of His poverty, humility, contempt of the world, charity; teaching the narrow way of God in pure truth, according to the Holy Gospel, and not according to the maxims of the world; troubling themselves about nothing; not accepting persons; sparing, fearing and listening to no mortal, however influential he may be. They shall have in their mouths the two-edged sword of the Word of God. They shall carry on their shoulders the bloody standard of the Cross, the Crucifix in their right hand and the Rosary in their left, the sacred Names of Jesus and Mary in their hearts, and the modesty and mortification of Jesus Christ in their own behavior.

These are the great men who are to come; but Mary is the one who, by order of the Most High, shall fashion them for the purpose of extending His empire over that of the impious, the idolaters and the Mahometans. But when and how shall this be? God alone knows. As for us, we have but to hold our tongues, to pray, to sigh and to wait: “With expectation I have waited.” (Psalm 39:2).

14. Those Saints can only be formed by a True Devotion to Mary

All those who are likely to read this book [True Devotion to Mary, or we could also say all those who make the True Devotion to Mary Consecration], love God, and lament that they do not love Him more; all desire something for His glory—the spread of some good work, the success of some devotion, the coming of some good time. One man has been striving for years to overcome a particular fault, and has not succeeded. Another mourns, and almost wonders while he mourns, that so few of his relations and friends have been converted to the Faith. One grieves that he has not devotion enough; another that he has a cross to carry which is a peculiarly impossible cross to him; while a third has domestic troubles and family unhappinesses which feel almost incompatible with his salvation; and for all these things prayer appears to bring so little remedy.

But what is the remedy that is wanted? What is the remedy indicated by God Himself? If we may rely on the disclosures of the saints, it is an immense increase of devotion to our Blessed Lady; but, remember, nothing short of an immense one. Here in England, Mary is not half enough preached. Devotion to her is low and thin and poor. It is frightened out of its wits by the sneers of heresy. It is always invoking human respect and carnal prudence, wishing to make Mary so little of a Mary that Protestants may feel at ease about her. Its ignorance of theology makes it unsubstantial and unworthy. It is not the prominent characteristic of our religion which it ought to be. It has no faith in itself. Hence it is that Jesus is not loved, that heretics are not converted, that the Church is not exalted; that souls which might be saints wither and dwindle; that the Sacraments are not rightly frequented, or souls enthusiastically evangelized.

Jesus is obscured because Mary is kept in the background. Thousands of souls perish because Mary is withheld from them. It is the miserable, unworthy shadow which we call our devotion to the Blessed Virgin that is the cause of all these wants and blights, these evils and omissions and declines. Yet, if we are to believe the revelations of the saints, God is pressing for a greater, a wider, a stronger, quite another devotion to His Blessed Mother. I cannot think of a higher work or a broader vocation for anyone than the simple spreading of this peculiar devotion of the Venerable [Saint Louis] Grignion De Montfort. Let a man but try it for himself, and his surprise at the graces it brings with it, and the transformations it causes in his soul, will soon convince him of its otherwise almost incredible efficacy as a means for the salvation of men, and for the coming of the kingdom of Christ. Oh, if Mary were but known, there would be no coldness to Jesus then! Oh, if Mary were but known, how much more wonderful would be our faith, and how different would our Communions be! Oh, if Mary were but known, how much happier, how much holier, how much less worldly should we be, and how much more should we be living images of our sole Lord and Savior, her dearest and most blessed Son!

Conclusion

These are the many different ways, not obligatory but recommended, by which we can nurture and express our devotion to Our Blessed Lady. At times we may focus more earnestly upon one, then upon another. It is not hard to perform all of them, but let us avoid “performing” them in the thespian sense of the word. Routine can soon creep in and before we know it, we have perhaps slipped into a mere perfunctory devotion, that in no way deserves the adjective true. Our Consecration to Jesus through Mary can be likened to a marriage—and which marriage will not succeed, nor blossom into greater things, if we do not work at it.

Read through these pages from time to time and do your utmost to keep your devotion always growing. Do not plant the seed only to let it die through neglect. Certainly you will experience falls and winters, when growth is slowed down or our tree loses its “plumage.” However, there will always be a spring and a summer, when growth will be accelerated and our devotion will grow hot. Persevering prayer will draw down the rain of grace necessary to avoid the roots of our devotion drying up. Persevere—knowing that this is the quickest, shortest, safest way to Heaven. To Jesus through Mary.

Remember too, that at Fatima, Our Lady said that God wanted the whole world to be devoted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. You can play a great part in the growth of that devotion, by encouraging others to try the True Devotion to Mary for themselves. Keep supplies of this book readily available, give it to others who may have the beginnings of a devotion to Mary. Encourage your parish priest to have a parish Consecration to Mary, with the whole parish making the True Devotion to Mary Consecration.

Finally, join or establish the Legion of Mary in your parishes—for the Legion of Mary is the embodiment or incarnation of the True Devotion in a practical way. It brings the True Devotion to life by the many diverse good works that the Legion does—something that is necessary to our Faith, for, as the saying goes: “Actions speak louder than words,” or as the Apostle St. James so rightly says: “Faith without works is dead.”

Rev. Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange writes: “There are those who think that it is sufficient to be saved and that it is not necessary to be a saint. It is clearly not necessary to be a saint who performs miracles and whose sanctity is officially recognized by the Church. To be saved, we must take the way of salvation, which is identical with that of sanctity. There will be only saints in Heaven, whether they enter there immediately after death or after purification in purgatory. No one enters Heaven unless he has that sanctity which consists in perfect purity of soul. Every sin, though it should be venial, must be effaced, and the punishment due to sin must be borne or remitted, in order that a soul may enjoy forever the vision of God, see Him as He sees Himself, and love Him as He loves Himself. Should a soul enter Heaven before the total remission of its sins, it could not remain there and would cast itself into purgatory to be purified.

“To be a saint, neither intellectual culture, nor great exterior activity is needed; it suffices that we live profoundly by God. This truth is evident in the saints of the early Church; several of those saints were poor people, even slaves. It is evident also in St. Francis, St. Benedict Joseph Labre, in the Curé of Ars and many others. They all had a deep understanding of these words of Our Savior: ‘For what doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul?’ (Mt. 16:26).

"If people sacrifice so many things to save the life of the body, which must ultimately die, what should we not sacrifice to save the life of our soul, which is to last forever? Should not a man love his soul more than his body? ‘Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?’ Our Lord adds (Mt.16:26). ‘One thing is necessary,’ He tells us (Lk.10:42). To save our soul, one thing alone is necessary: to hear the word of God and to live by it.” (The Three Ages of the Interior Life, Rev. Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange, Introduction).

The word of God is that He wishes the whole world to be devoted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is by showing forth a true devotion to Mary that we will glorify God and, in the process, sanctify and save our souls. Amen. So be it.

To Jesus through Mary

To the right of this text, you will find the Certificate for the Act of Consecration, that you can sign and frame if you so wish.

To the right of this text, you will find the recommended order of ceremony for the Day of Consecration and Guidelines on how to live the Consecration now that you have made it.

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