Just as pride is the root of all evils, humility is the weapon. Humility – a rare virtue today – is one that I have been fixated upon to progress my spiritual journey. I desired to overcome the areas of my life where various forms of pride had taken hold.
It was this that led me on my journey towards Total Consecration to Jesus through the hands of Mary.
The desire for Consecration
Every evening, after my two toddlers are tucked into their beds and my busy day comes to an end, I sit down with a cup of tea to read a number of spiritual books.
I had to do something to help my soul grow, and it began with the little book: My Imitation of Christ. Through this little gem and regular confession, my primary sins were revealed. However, I discovered how stubborn they are to overcome! I needed help!
I chose to consecrate myself, my loved ones and my possessions to Jesus through the hands of His Blessed Mother Mary.
A deep longing had arisen in my heart to complete the 33 Day Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, as found in True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort. There are many beautiful Consecrations to Our Lady, but this one reached out to me the most.
I checked my calendar and set my goal for Consecration on the Feast of the Assumption. Every evening, I read one chapter and eventually reached the 33 days of preparation exercises.
The exercises consist of a reading either from the Bible or The Imitation of Christ, followed by four specific prayers. All of these readings and prayers are set and contained within the Total Consecration book itself.
Temptations arise
It was around this time of preparation that I began to experience temptations.
It was very evident that the devil was trying to hinder my small efforts, and that he felt threatened by Our Lady claiming another soul.
“You’re too tired, you had a big day, read two chapters tomorrow instead…”
“You don’t feel like it, you’re too distracted…”
“It’s already 11:00pm, get some sleep…”
He sent distraction after distraction, preying upon how tired I was. My mind would begin to wander, and I had difficulty calming down from the stresses of the day, into a spirit of prayer.
And yet here something special happened; it was as though Our Lady would come and gently hold my hand and lead me to persevere.
I prayed for this grace and made sure to read and pray my preparation exercises every single evening without fail.
"And yet here something special happened; it was as though Our Lady would come and gently hold my hand and lead me to persevere."
Gentle lessons in humility
To my great joy, one week of the preparation exercises was dedicated entirely to humility. At the beginning of each day, as per the instructions for this week, I reminded myself that I am nothing but dust. I would ask my Mother Mary to complete each task with me.
I would also pray before I had to correct one of my children. Little by little, in the most gentle of ways, Mary accompanied me. I offered each task to her, knowing she would perfect and purify it for her Beloved Son. Mary became essential in every aspect of my motherhood.
The idea of total surrender – even though it was to Our Good Lord and His Mother – frightened me to some extent. I began the practice of entering into mental prayer, speaking to Jesus and Mary entirely in my own words from the heart. From this, I found difficult situations resolved, and drew into a closer union with Jesus and Mary.
My Consecration day
The day finally arrived for my Consecration: the Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption. I put on one of my favourite dresses for this Mass.
Even on this important day, I felt spiritually attacked once again. Mass had finished and I began my Consecration in the Church. On this particular evening, the talking from outside seemed to echo throughout the Church, something I hadn’t experienced in this parish before. Quietly reading the Consecration at the back, the noise was louder than my prayer. I moved to the front of the Church to be with the statue of Our Lady, but it seemed even louder up there. I prayed my Consecration at least three times until I was satisfied that I had prayed it with devotion. And even then the words, “You didn’t pray it properly, it doesn’t count” were accusing me in my mind.
I felt convicted that this Consecration is powerful. The devil absolutely hates it, which is even more reason why Catholic mothers should pray this Consecration.
A new way
Consecration to Mary has been the most spiritually beneficial exercise I have ever done. I have come to understand that it was Our Lady who valiantly fought every temptation that I encountered along the way. She helped me persevere to the end because it was the beautiful Queen of Heaven herself who desired my Consecration to Her Son!
I am far more conscious of avoiding sin and frequenting Confession than ever before. I have an increased desire to practise the virtues lived out by Our Lady. It has been made clear to me that once you entrust your soul and life to her, she will gently guide you to Her Son.
For a practical guide to understanding, preparing for, and living out Marian consecration, read Total Consecration to Mary: Everything You Need To Know.
Veronica is a stay-at-home mother of three children in northern Victoria. She worked in various administrative roles in the tertiary education sector before being blessed with motherhood. These days she can be found in the kitchen with her children combining faith with food. Veronica is enrolled in the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary and the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face.
8 Responses
“ Little by little, in the most gentle of ways, Mary accompanied me.”
Wow, this hit🥹🙏🏻
Isn’t it beautiful how Mary works gently. God bless!
I also consecrated myself as part of a group journey through the 33 Days to Morning Glory. My symbol of consecration is to veil at Mass and kneel for Communion. The experience has been profound. The veiling and kneeling continual lessons in humility and reminders of the struggles and temptations experience along the way.
Apologies for the late response – we missed this beautiful comment! 33 Days to Morning Glory is a beautiful and accessible resource for Consecration. Praise God you took the step! God bless.
what do you mean by symbol of consecration?
As a Jewish convert to Catholicism, I know that Our Lady brought me to Jesus Christ and His holy Church. I love her with all my heart and soul. I have given myself completely to her –my body, my mind, my heart, and my soul are hers. I pray that she will, through the grace of her Immaculate Heart, bring the Jewish people to Christ in the Catholic faith. Mary, Mother of God, Queen of the Jews and my Queen, I am yours in life, and death, and for all eternity.