What is total consecration to Mary?
The word "consecrate" means to be set aside for sacred use. In consecrating ourselves completely to Mary we are setting ourselves completely aside for Mary's use. We are entrusting our prayers, our thoughts, our emotions, our bodies, our gifts, our everything, to Mary's care and love, and promising to obey her in all things.
Doesn't this take away from our consecration to Jesus at our baptism?
Not at all. In fact, it does the opposite. It enhances and strengthens our consecration to to Jesus. You see, commiting oneself to someone or something else does not take away from a Christian's commitment to Christ. For exmple, does the commitment that a Christain husband or wife make to their spouse take away from their commitment to Christ? Not at all. Does the commitment and oath that a Christian soldier in the United States military makes to obey their superiors take away from their commitment to Christ? Not at all. In the same way, commiting and consecrating ourselves to Mary does not take away from one's commitment to Christ.
St. Pope John Paul II, who had consecrated himself completely to Mary, once said, "From Mary we learn to surrender to God's Will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God!" St. Pope John Paul II had discovered, as does all who give themselves totally to Mary, that consecration to Mary automatically leads one to a deeper faith and love of Christ. Our commitment to Christ does not in any way suffer when we consecrate ourselves completely to Mary. Instead, it is enhanced and becomes stronger because of it.
Does one have to totally consecrate themselves to Mary?
No, no one is required to consecrate themselves completely to Mary. But my question is, with all of the spiritual benefits of doing so, why would one NOT want to do it?
How does one consecrate themselves to Mary?
There are numerous ways and methods to consecrate oneself to Mary. The two most well-known ways were promoted by St. Louis de Montfort (which includes a 33-day preparation period) and St. Maximilian Koble (which is a 9-day preparation period). But no matter what method or way that you choose, all that is absolutely necessary is the intent of your will to give yourself to completely to Mary. That, in reality, is enough.
What do I do after consecrating myself to Mary?
Once you have consecrated yourself completely to Mary, you should develop a personal devotion to her. There are many devotions to Mary out there, but the important thing is to spend time with her each day, take your every need to her so she can pray for you, and get to know her as your spiritual Mother and Queen. The more time you spend with Mary, and entrust yourself to her, the more you will come to love her, but more importantly, the more you will come to love her Son, Jesus.
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"The Immaculate alone has from God the promise of victory over Satan.
She seeks souls that will consecrate themselves entirely to her,
that will become in her hands forceful instruments for
the defeat of Satan and the spread of God's kingdom."
She seeks souls that will consecrate themselves entirely to her,
that will become in her hands forceful instruments for
the defeat of Satan and the spread of God's kingdom."
~Saint Maximilian Kolbe~