SHORTCUT TO THE
SPIRITUAL LIFE
SHORTCUT TO HEAVEN
TRUE DEVOTION TO MARY
THE PREPARATION FOR CONSECRATION
Pope John Paul II: "The reading of this book was a decisive turning-point in my life. I say 'turning-point,' but in fact it was a long inner journey ... This 'perfect devotion' is indispensable to anyone who means to give himself without reserve to Christ and to the work of redemption. "It is from Montfort that I have taken my motto: 'Totus tuus' (Í am all thine'). Someday I'll have to tell you Montfortians how I discovered De Montfort's Treatise on True Devotion to Mary, and how often I had to reread it to understand it."
EXCERPT
FROM:
TRUE DEVOTION TO
MARY,
By Saint Louis De Montfort:
PREPARATION FOR CONSECRATION
TO JESUS THROUGH MARY
St. Louis De Montfort advises us to prepare for the
consecration by exercises which certainly are not compulsory, but which assure
its great efficacy because of the purity and other dispositions which they tend
to develop in our souls.
Two different periods are assigned for these exercises: a preliminary period of twelve days during which we endeavor "to free ourselves from the spirit of the world"; and a second period of three weeks: the first devoted to the knowledge of ourselves, the second to that of the Blessed Virgin and the third to that of Jesus Christ.
These periods mentioned by St. Louis De Montfort do not constitute a rigorous and unchangable division. According to circumstances, they may be lengthened or shortened. The faithful often take but three days to prepare for the annual renewal of their consecration.
The object of this
consecration is to cast off the spirit of the world, which is contrary to that
of Jesus Christ, in order to acquire fully the spirit of Jesus Christ through
the Blessed Virgin. Hence the practices suggested by St. Louis De Montfort:
renouncement of the world, knowledge of self, of the Blessed Virgin and of Jesus
Christ.
2
First Period
—Twelve Preliminary Days —
RENOUNCEMENT OF THE WORLD
"The first part of the preparation should be employed in casting off the spirit of the world, which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ."
The spirit of the world consists essentially in the denial of the supreme dominion of God, a denial which is manifested in practice by sin and disobedience; thus it is principally opposed to the spirit of Christ, which is also that of Mary.
It manifests itself by the concupiscence of the flesh, by the concupiscence of the eyes and by the pride of life; by disobedience to God's laws and the abuse of created things. Its works are, first, sin in all its forms; and then all else by which the devil leads to sin; works which bring error and darkness to the mind, and seduction and corruption to the will. Its pomps are the splendor and the charms employed by the devil to render sin alluring in persons, places and things.
Prayers to be said every day: Veni Creator and Ave Marls Stella.
Reading suitable for the twelve days: Gospel according to St. Matthew, chapters 5, 6, 7.
Imitation of Christ, Book 1, chapters 13, 18, 25; Book III, chapters 10, 40.
Spiritual Exercises: Examine your conscience, pray, practice renouncement,
mortification, purity of heart; this purity is the indispensable condition for
contemplating God in Heaven, to see Him on earth and to know Him by the light of
faith.
3
PRAY:
Come, 0 Creator Spirit blest!
And in our souls take up Thy rest;
Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid,
To fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
Great Paraclete! To Thee we cry,
highest gift of God most high!
font of life! 0 fire of love!
And sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts art known,
The finger of God's hand we own;
The promise of the Father, Thou!
Who dost the tongue with power endow.
Kindle our senses from above,
And make our hearts o'erflow with love;
With patience firm and virtue high
The weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
And grant us Thy true peace instead;
So shall we not, with Thee for guide,
Turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
The Father and the Son to know,
And Thee, through endless times confessed,
Of both, the eternal Spirit blest.
In glory while the ages run
Be to the Father and the Son
Who rose from death; the same to Thee,
Holy Ghost, eternally. Amen.
4
PRAY:
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid;
for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name.
And His mercy is from generation to generations, to them that fear Him.
He hath showed might in His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat; and hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.
He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy.
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
5
PRAY:
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 forevermore.
Through the highest Heaven To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.
6
Second Period
—First Week —
KNOWLEDGE OF SELF
"During the first week they should employ all their prayers and pious actions in
asking for a knowledge of themselves and for contrition of their sins; and they
should do this in a spirit of humility." (See no 228).
During this week, we shall consider not so much the opposition that exists
between the spirit of Jesus and ours, as the miserable and humiliating state to
which our sins have reduced us. Moreover, the True Devotion being an easy,
short, sure and perfect way to arrive at that union with Our Lord which is
Christian perfection, we shall enter seriously upon this way, strongly convinced
of our misery and helplessness. But how attain this without a knowledge of
ourselves?
Prayers:
Litany of the Holy Ghost.
Ave Marie Stella.
Litany of the
Blessed
Virgin.
Reading.
Gospel according to St. Matthew, chapters
24,
25.
Gospel of St. Luke, chapters
11,
13,
16,
17,
18.
Imitation of Christ, Book I, chapter 24;
Imitaton of Christ Book II, chapter 5;
Imitation of Christ Book III, chapters 7, 8, 13, 20, 30, 47.
True Devotion, nos. 78-82, 227, 228.
Spiritual Exercises: Prayers, examen, reflection, acts of renouncement of our
own will, of contrition for our sins, of contempt of self—all performed at the
feet of Mary, for it is from her we hope for light to know ourselves, and it is
near her that we shall be able to measure the abyss of our miseries without
despairing.
7
PRAY:
Litany of the Holy Ghost
(For private use only.)
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Father all powerful, have mercy on us.
Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the odd, save us.
Spirt 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, etc.
Source of heavenly water,
Consuming fire,
Ardent charity,
Spiritual unction,
Spirit of love and truth,
Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
Spirit of counsel and fortitude,
Spirit of knowledge and piety,
Spirit of the fear of the Lord,
Spirit of grace and prayer,
Spirit of peace and meekness,
Spirit of modesty and innocence,
Holy Ghost, the Comforter,
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier,
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church,
Gift of God, the Most High,
Spirit Who fillest the universe,
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God,
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 as 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 taken 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, 0 merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may 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.
8
PRAY:
Litany of 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
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, etc.
Mother of Christ,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Saviour,
Mother of the Church,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of Heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of angels,
Queen of patriarchs,
Queen of prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of martyrs,
Queen of confessors,
Queen of virgins,
Queen of all saints,
Queen conceived without Original Sin,
Queen assumed into Heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of peace,Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, 0 Lard,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, 0 Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.V. Pray for us, 0 holy Mother of God,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray
Grant, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord God; unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary, ever virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.
9
—Second Week
KNOWLEDGE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
"They shall devote the second week to the knowledge of the Blessed Virgin." (See no. 229).
We must unite ourselves to Jesus through Mary—this is the characteristic of our devotion; therefore, Saint Louis De Montfort asks that the second week be employed in acquiring a knowledge of the Blessed Virgin.
Mary is our sovereign and our mediatrix, our Mother and our Mistress. Let us then endeavor to know the effects of this royalty, of this mediation, and of this maternity, as well as the grandeurs and prerogatives which are the foundation or consequences thereof. Our Mother is also a perfect mold wherein we are to be molded in order to make her intentions and dispositions ours. This we cannot achieve without studying the interior life of Mary; namely, her virtues, her sentiments, her actions, her participation in the mysteries of Christ and her union with Him.
Prayers:
Litany of the Holy Ghost.
Ave Marls Stella.
Litany of the Blessed Virgin.
St. Louis De Montfort's Prayer to Mary.
Recitation of the Rosary.
Reading: Gospel according to St. Luke, chapters 1, 2,
Gospel according to St. John, chapter 2.
True Devotion, nos.
1-48,
90-93,
105-182,
213-225.
Secret of Mary, nos. 23-34.
Spiritual Exercises: Acts of love, pious affections for the Blessed Virgin,
imitation of her virtues, especially her profound humility, her lively faith,
her blind obedience, her continual mental prayer, her mortification in all
things, her ardent charity, her heroic patience, her angelic sweetness, her
divine wisdom, and her divine purity; "these being," as St. Louis De Montfort
says, "the ten principal virtues of the Blessed Virgin."
Litany of the Holy Ghost,
Ave Marts Stella,
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
10
St Louis De Montfort's Prayer to Mary
PRAY:
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 west 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 wiliest.
Such is, 0 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 with-out 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.
11
—Third Week—
KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST
"During the third week, they shall apply themselves to the study of Jesus Christ." (See no. 230).
What is to be studied in Christ? First the Man-God, His grace and glory; then His rights to sovereign dominion over us; since, after having renounced Satan and the world, we have taken Jesus Christ for our Lord. What next shall be the object of our study? His exterior actions and also His interior life; namely, the virtues and acts of His Sacred Mean; His association with Mary in the mysteries of the Annunciation and Incarnation, during His infancy and hidden life, at the feast of Cana and on Calvary.
Prayers: Litany of the Holy Ghost. Ave Maris Stella. Litany of the Holy Name
of Jesus or Litany of the Sacred Heart. St. Louis De Montforl's Prayer to Jesus.
0 Jesus Living in Mary.
Reading: Gospel according to St. Matthew, chapters 26, 27.
Gospel according to St. John, chapters 13 If.
Imitation of Christ, Book II, chapters 7, II, 12; Book III, chapters 5, 6, 56;
Book IV, chapters I, 8, 13.
True Devotion, not 60-67, 183, 212, 226-265.
Spiritual Exercises: Acts of love of
God, thanksgiving for the blessings of Jesus, contrition and resolution.
Litany
of the Holy Ghost, page 180. Ave Maris Stella, page 178.
12
PRAY:
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.God the Holy Ghost, etc.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Jesus, Son of the living God,
Jesus, splendor of the Father,
Jesus, brightness of eternal light,
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 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, 0 Jesus,
Be merciful, graciously hear us, 0 Jesus.Front all evil, Jesus, deliver us.
From all sin, Jesus, deliver us.
From Thy wrath, etc.
From the snares of the devil,
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,
Thrrough 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, 0 Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, 0 Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.Jesus, hear us,
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 from praising Thee.
Give us, 0 Lord, a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy Name; for Thou never failest to govern those whom Thou dust solidly establish in Thy love, Who livest and reignest world without end. R. Amen.
13
PRAY:
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, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, etc.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mother,
Heart of Jesus, substantially united with 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, burning furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, abode 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, in Whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, in Whom dwells all the fullness of Divinity,
Heart of Jesus, in Whom the Father was 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 most merciful,
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee,
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium,
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,
Bean of Jesus, obedient 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 sin,
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust 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, 0 Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, 0 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, graciously regard the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and the acts of praise and satisfaction which He renders Thee on behalf of sinners; appeased by worthy homage, par-don those who implore Thy mercy, in the name of the same Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, world without end.
R. Amen.
14
PRAY:
St. Louis De Montfort's Prayer to Jesus
0 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, 0 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 Saviour,
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 dost 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.
0 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. 0 Holy Spirit, give
me great devotion to Mary, Thy faithful spouse; give a 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.
PRAY:
0 Jesus Living in Mary
0 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.
16
The Day of Consecration
"At the end of the three weeks," says St. Louis De Montfort,
"they shall go to confession and to Communion, with the intention of giving
themselves to Jesus Christ in the quality of slaves of love, by the hands of
Mary. After Communion, which they should try to make according to the method
given further on
[See no. 266] they should recite the formula of their consecration, which they will also
find further on. They ought to write it, or have it written, unless they have a
printed copy of it; and they should sign it the same day they have made it. It
would be well also that on that day they should pay some tribute to Jesus Christ
and our Blessed Lady, either as a penance for their past unfaithfulness to the
vows of their Baptism or as a testimony of their dependence on the dominion of
Jesus and Mary. This tribute ought to be according to the devotion and ability
of everyone, such as a fast, a mortification, an alms or a candle. If they had
but a pin to give in homage, yet gave it with good heart, it would be enough for
Jesus, who looks only at one's good will. Once a year at least, on the same day,
they should renew the same consecration, observing the same practices during the
three weeks. They might also once a month, or even once a day, renew all they
have done, in these few words: 'I am all Thine and all that I have belongs to
Thee, 0 my sweet Jesus, through Mary, Thy holy Mother.' "
The Act of Consecration
Consecration to Jesus Christ,
the Incarnate Wisdom,
through the Blessed Virgin Mary
0 Eternal and Incarnate Wisdom! 0 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 Thine Incarnation.
I give Thee thanks for 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 for 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 faithless 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 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 host 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, 0 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, 0 Queen of Heaven and earth, to whose empire everything is subject which is under God. Hail, 0 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, (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, 0 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.
0 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! 0 Mother of mercy, grant me the grace to 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.
0 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.
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