What Is Total Consecration?

I attended the Raleigh Catholic Young Adult Total Consecration to Mary kickoff potluck on Saturday with almost no expectations beyond dinner and fellowship. I bought the book we’re using for our retreat, “33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration” (Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC), skimmed the introduction and googled “consecration to Mary,” but I still was unsure what exactly I was getting myself into.

A lot of thoughts and several emotions flickered through me during the kickoff. First, of course, great food! And I’m looking forward to getting to know my fellow participants better. But of the consecration itself, I felt both excitement and trepidation. After all, “consecration” is a heavy word, and I don’t take promises – especially those made to Mary and Jesus – lightly. Was I ready?

Total Consecration to Mary

“In the simplest of terms,” according to the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, “by means of Marian consecration, we give ourselves to Mary to be formed into the image of her Son, Jesus.” St. Louis de Montfort, who literally wrote the book on Marian consecration, said that it was “the surest, easiest, and most perfect means” to become a saint.

I’m sold.

Fr. Gaitley, a Marian Father, wrote “33 Days to Morning Glory” to simplify the process of consecration. Through reading, pondering and meeting (“RPM”), we will learn about the consecration through the teachings of St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Mother Teresa, and St. John Paul II.

Am I ready for this? Actually, the group leaders’ invitation to join the consecration came at an auspicious time for me. Over the last couple of years, I’ve been taking a spiritual journey through fellowship and prayer that, I hope, is bringing me closer to Jesus. Especially recently, with the launch of this blog, conversations I’ve had with friends and my boyfriend, and other events in my life, I feel ready to make a larger commitment to Christ, similar to the one I made at my Confirmation.

It won’t be easy. I already feel the temptations of giving up, of feeling that maybe this isn’t the right decision for me – but I know that’s not God talking to me, and I’m not listening to the most evil of naysayers. Instead, I’m looking forward to solidifying the promise we all make as Christians, to follow Christ, and to becoming closer to Him through His mother.

Stay tuned! I’m excited to share my journey with you.