Consecration is the act of making something sacred, setting it apart for a holy purpose outside of common usage. Churches and sacred vessels are consecrated to serve God in our worship. Our own souls at baptism are also consecrated to God. The act of making an explicit consecration of oneself to God has long stood as a cornerstone of Catholic spirituality, symbolizing a solemn commitment to His divine purpose under the aspect of a specific devotion.
Consecration does not represent a fleeting feeling but rather a steadfast covenant between a person and God, implicating every moment of the devotee’s life. It signifies the stable intention of living in the spirit of the Gospel, sustained by grace and a relentless pursuit of virtue. Historically, expressions of consecration can be found in various forms, such as the religious vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Marian Consecration holds a special place within the devotions of the Church. At its core, it is an intimate act of entrusting oneself wholly to the Virgin Mary, seeking her maternal guidance and intercession in the journey toward Christ, and making oneself an instrument in her hands. This consecration to Mary is a commitment to strive to emulate her life of profound faith, charity, and humility. It is not a move away from consecration to God, however. Entrusting oneself to her care is a movement toward a richer life of consecration to God in the same way that loving parents draw children closer to each other to enrich family unity instead of causing division.
The Incarnation and Marian Consecration
The deepest foundation of Marian Consecration is built on the mystery of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity placing Himself completely in her care at the Incarnation. St. Epiphanius, an Early Church Father, wrote, “How can we not call her ‘great,’ when she contained the Uncontainable, whom Heaven and earth cannot contain? Yet He, though Uncontainable, was contained by His own choice and consent, willingly and not of necessity.” Jesus consecrated Himself to Mary. He formed His Sacred Body and Blood from her body. In this act of divine humility, He chose to live in obedience to her as her Child, chose to give Himself to her care, parenting and love, and honored her singularly as His mother and greatest disciple.
But Mary was not an unwilling participant. God prepared Mary with superabundant grace so that her life was lived in perfect holiness, so much so that when the angel approached her, he addressed her as “Full of Grace.” But this grace did not override her free will or it would not have been an act of love and faith. Instead, God allowed Mary this moment of decision when Heaven told her what was about to happen.
Mary’s response was not an anxious flurry of questions nor a negotiation. No, Mary responds without reservation or consideration. She answers, “Be it done unto me according to thy word.” This surrender, this consecration of herself to God’s Divine Will, is known as her fiat, which is Latin for, “Let it be done.” Through Mary’s fiat, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
In consecrating ourselves to Mary we both imitate Jesus Christ Himself, echoing His own act of Love for Mary, and we unite ourselves to Mary’s fiat of love and obedience to the will of God. Therefore, the Incarnation can be seen as both the inspiration for and the fruit of Marian Consecration. It invites us to reflect on Mary’s openness to God, her surrender without reservation, and Our Lord’s many acts of Love for Mary.
Saintly Examples: St. Joseph and St. John the Apostle
To embark on this journey is to follow in the footsteps of Saint Joseph and Saint John the Apostle, both exemplary models of Marian consecration. The lives of St. Joseph and St. John the Apostle illuminate this path, showcasing the fruits of a life intricately woven with the loving care of Mary.
In Matthew 1:24, God Himself asks Joseph to take Mary as his wife and dedicate himself to her service. He willingly accepts the divine plan of God that this marriage will be something different, knowing their union will not be physical in order to protect the sacredness of her extraordinary calling from God. From that point on he consecrates his vocation, his calling to family life, to her care. The fact that St. Joseph is at once the Patron of the contemplative life, husbands, fathers, and laborers, reveals the universal holiness of this giant of Marian Consecration. He reached the perfection of each of these aspects of his unique vocation through his union with Mary, and in the months leading up to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, He became the first to “go to Jesus through Mary”.
St. John the Apostle, who stood faithfully by Mary at the foot of the cross, was entrusted by Jesus to be her son, an act that symbolizes the entrustment of all the faithful to her motherly care. John’s subsequent life, a blend of apostolic zeal and Marian devotion, radiates the transformative impact of taking Mary into one’s home, as he did both corporally and spiritually. Their life together reflects a consecration of religious vocation as they traveled, evangelized, and established churches. He spent years providing for and protecting her as a good son, but he also spent years listening and watching, learning from her life of virtue and profiting by her intercession. In turn, he related the graces she shared from the treasure trove in her Immaculate Heart with him. His Gospel and letters resonate with echoes of Mary’s wisdom, bearing the hallmarks of love, truth, and the light of Christ.
These giants of holiness serve not only as extraordinary examples of Marian Consecration but also as perpetual inspirations for the faithful. Through their stories, one can glean the profound spiritual benefits of devoting oneself to Mary. Their legacies reveal that a life of union with Mary is a pathway to deeper communion with Christ and an ascent toward the heights of sanctity.
How to Make the Marian Consecration
Preparation
Marian Consecration is a sacred decision and not something to enter lightly. It necessitates thorough preparation, which in turn, paves the way for lasting spiritual advantages. The ultimate aim of Mary is to foster in her children an unwavering trust in God and a profound unity with Him. This is why she so often urges us to devout practices. Incorporating daily recitations of the Rosary, completing the Five First Saturdays devotion, or praying a Memorare during challenging moments serve as powerful means to deepen one’s trust and love of God and Mary. The spiritual growth brought about by consistently turning to prayer in these practices is the most effective groundwork for this consecration. That being said, if we wait until we reach the heights of sanctity to give ourselves to Mary we will certainly miss the assistance that she desires to give us. We should strive to offer our best to her while understanding that she is a patient and loving mother and desires to meet us where we are and help us along the way.
As you begin to plan your consecration, the books True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montford or 33 Days to Morning Glory by Father Micheal Gaitley will guide you through the process. The consecration will occur at the end of the thirty-three-day period, preferably on a Marian Holy Day. This preparation will lead you through self-reflection, prayers, and meditations which will help you grow closer to Jesus through Mary. Even if you don’t make the consecration the first few times you go through the thirty-three-day journey, each time will allow your faith to grow. It’s important to look closely at your calendar in order to ensure you have carved out adequate time during those thirty-three days in order to pray and perhaps set aside time for Adoration.
Marian Sacramentals
The Blessed Mother urged us at various apparitions to take advantage of the many graces she gives through the Miraculous Medal and the Brown Scapular.
In Mary’s apparitions to St. Catherine Labouré (1830), the Blessed Mother gifted us with the Miraculous Medal. She promised St. Catherine, “Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck. Those who repeat this prayer with devotion will be, in a special manner, under the protection of the Mother of God. Graces will be abundantly bestowed upon those who have confidence.” On the Miraculous Medal, Mary is presented on one side as Queen of Heaven and Earth with her feet crushing the serpent. On the perimeter is the prayer she has asked us to pray as we seek her intercession, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” On the other side are the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts. This simple medal has become a global symbol of Mary’s intercession to God on our behalf and an assurance of the graces she distributes to us.
The Brown Scapular also comes with significant graces promised to us by the Blessed Mother. In an ancient prophecy (1100s) by St. Dominic, St. Dominic prophesied to St. Angelus, “One day, Brother Angelus, to your Order of Carmel the Most Blessed Virgin Mary will give a devotion to be known as the Brown Scapular, and to my Order of Preachers she will give a devotion to be known as the Rosary. And one day through the rosary and the scapular, she will save the world.” In Fatima (1917), she stated, “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.” St. Lucia, in her interviews and writings regarding that appearance, pointed out that she appeared as both Our Lady of the Rosary holding a rosary and as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel holding the Brown Scapular, emphasizing that by these means of grace, her Immaculate Heart would triumph.
These two gifts, worn with faith, directly connect us to her Immaculate Heart, obtain grace, and become powerful reminders of our consecration. If you’ve never before worn a Miraculous Medal or Brown Scapular and have chosen to make this part of your Marian Consecration, you will want to purchase this ahead of time.
Completing the Consecration
As you approach the day of your consecration, you will want to read over the various prayers written by saints or authors specifically for Marian Consecration to pick one out. Many people print out the prayer to keep it handy. This also allows you to write the dates down to keep track of each renewal.
You will also want to go to confession on the day of your consecration or in the days leading up to it. St. Louis de Montfort emphasized Marian Consecration as a “perfect renewal of the vows of baptism.” Through this renewal, individuals are invited to renounce Satan, sin, and their disordered inclinations, choosing instead to embrace the light of grace that Mary perpetually reflects upon her children. In fact, the name Mary means illumination which led to her title, “Star of the Sea”. As you prepare for this renewal of baptismal vows, a thorough examination of conscience will help you offer Jesus and Mary a refreshed heart. Ask Mary to illuminate your heart and shine her grace on any impediments you need to address through confession.
When the day arrives, many people choose to attend mass even if it’s not a Holy Day of Obligation. You also might want to go to a Marian shrine or even go on a pilgrimage. The day should be honored and treasured; it should live in your memory as a significant, unique experience. Wear your Miraculous Medal or take on the Brown Scapular for the first time that day if it isn’t already a part of your life. As you say your selected consecration prayer, savor the moment of surrendering to the Blessed Mother and taking her into your home as St. John did.
Living Marian Consecration Daily
Marian Consecration is not merely a pledge uttered in a singular moment of fervor, it is a commitment etched into the daily rhythms of life. By choosing this path, we are challenged to weave Marian qualities into the fabric of our everyday life, reflecting her virtues and imitating her zeal. We should begin Living in a constant dialogue with Mary, learning to see ourselves as her instrument, and seeking her guidance in everything.
Though living out Marian Consecration may include external acts and signs like praying the Rosary and wearing the scapular, it is primarily an interior devotion. It calls for prayerful conversation with Mary, deep introspection, and journeying alongside her throughout our day. Some of these interior practices include:
- Turning to her interiorly between tasks and conversations to ask for her blessing or guidance
- Offering to her care the individuals we come into contact with
- Asking her to work through our hands and to speak through our lips
- Lovingly turning to her with gratitude and affection throughout the day
- Making an examination of conscience in her presence and considering with her what was done well and where failings occurred
- Offering little sacrifices for the intentions of her Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart
- Observing her feast days with special devotion and solemnity.
These kinds of practices transform the ordinary activities of life into opportunities for sanctification. Difficult situations or relationships can become channels of grace, infusing our mundane interactions with their true supernatural purpose. For those dedicated to Mary, no gesture is too small, no sacrifice too slight, and no prayer too brief if it is offered with a heart full of love and a will aligned with her will. Daily living becomes a continual prayer, an unending ‘yes’ to God’s call, a Marian melody of obedience and trust.
The Transformative Power of Marian Consecration
The decision to consecrate oneself to Mary is an act that initiates a remarkable transformation within the soul. It is an invitation to partake in the same virtues that adorned Mary’s life: purity of intention, unwavering faith, and a capacity for self-giving love that mirrors the Sacred Heart of Christ. Further, it grants many special graces to assist us in the practice of these heavenly virtues. Embracing Marian Consecration is to walk a path punctuated with roses and thorns, growing in grace by reflecting Mary’s own journey through the joys and sorrows of life.
Marian Consecration sets into motion a process of interior refinement, where the soul is intimately united with Mary’s Immaculate Heart. This union fosters a sensitivity to the movements of grace and an environment conducive to the growth of virtue, and a more pronounced resistance to sin. Holiness, the goal of every Christian life, is intrinsically tied to the possession of sanctifying grace in the soul, which Marian Consecration uniquely cultivates.
The Catechism underscores the dignified position of Mary as the Mediatrix of All Graces, a belief reaffirmed by the theological reflections of saints and scholars. As such, every grace we receive from God flows through the hands of Mary to the faithful who receive from her the same tender care she provided to Jesus in His earthly life. In the apparitions of Mary to St. Catherine Labouré, Mary presented herself with light streaming from rings on her fingers representing grace. But some of the rings did not pour out light. The Blessed Mother informed St. Catherine that these darkened rings represented grace that went unasked for. When we consecrate ourselves, we begin a perpetual prayer of petition asking for this grace from Heaven’s wellspring and open ourselves up to receive all that she longs to shower over us.
To live a consecrated life to Mary is to place all that we are and all that we possess into her maternal hands. It is to choose a path of hope, trust, and unconditional love, fully confident in Mary’s generous patronage. This Consecration is a testament to one’s faith in Mary’s willingness and ability to guide our steps toward sanctity through her powerful intercession before her Son. St. Louis de Montfort explains in his work, The True Devotion to Mary, that as Mary was the mold of Christ in His sacred humanity if we will make ourselves completely docile to her inspirations we become soft wax poured into this sacred mold, and in this mold, our souls will be formed in the exact likeness of her Son.
