sounds great MC...would be lovely if you could join us I don't know too much myself about what will be required for the 33 days, but that is by design. I think if I knew more, I would tell myself it is too hard and I would find an excuse to bail on it. I think doing this with other people who love Mary will make this much easier and I'm very excited!
wow, you have some amazing gifts BC! I don't seem to share those gifts of the Spirit, so I guess they won't be minimized! Seems we get the gifts we can handle, and if I got those gifts...I'm sure I'd end up relying on those gifts too much. I'd sure love to have a meaningful vision or two though!!
thank you everyone for your feedback on the books and consecrations. I think I will use the 33 Days to Morning Glory as the consecration. and I will read True Devotion to Mary before April 10th as preparation. I will still have the de Montfort 33 day consecration to do a renewal or maybe just a spiritual refresh or reflection at any given time. so that's my game plan based on everyone's feedback. so the date is set for Apr 10th. please prayerfully consider joining us or at least praying for us!
I'm not really sure how to answer you PotatoSack but I used to always pray to the Holy Spirit for His gifts and although He has used me from time to time for people I can't really lay claim to actually "having" any gift. To be honest a lot of the time I pray with and for people I don't have a clue what the Holy Spirit is doing, which may not be a bad thing because I'd run ahead of Him and ruin it!! St. Mark tells us in ch 16 v 17 that " these are the signs that will be associated with believers....... To me that means that it's more important to be a believer than to have the gifts, if one focuses too much on the gifts its like taking a pill and paying more attention to the side effects than to the actual pill and what one is taking it for. Also focusing too much on having the gifts can keep one out of heaven because there is always the temptation of becoming proud and self important and making oneself into a mini god. What I have finally copped onto is that the most important thing is to surrender my life to God daily and to pray that He will be glorified in it.
I have started reading Louis de Montfort, its slow going but I think its getting easier. It may be a matter of getting used to the style. Also I had a fleeting word with my priest yesterday and we shook hands as I left the church. I told him I wanted to consecrate myself to Mary and he said he will put me in touch with some one in London. I barely heard him, it was so windy, but I think he said something like a Guild of Mary or something similar. I'm quite excited by this because I really want to share this with someone I can see IYSWIM
Are you planning on the April 10 - May 13 timeframe? May I join in? Could I use the St. Louis de Monfort one since I have that on hand? Thank you in advance. Our collegial Mother of God forum member consecration spanning the continents...may it bear abundant fruit!
Yes Mary Ann. Although, having now sought guidance within my own parish, I've been out in touch with the Marian apostolate and they have encouraged me to take my time, pray to Our Lady, "Mary will guide you when the time is right". Gosh! I hope I'm not expecting more than is possible for my trip to Medjugorje next week.
PS, The best strength of 33 Days to Morning Glory is that Fr. Gaitley approaches the consecration by not only gleaning insights from de Montfort, but also JPII, Mother Theresa, and Maximilian Kolbe. The uniqueness in each of their relationships with Mary reveals varied pearls of wisdom that I find very helpful. One week to go! Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
it would be great to have you join us Mary Ann!! and yes, the dates we plan on are Apr 10 - May 13th. I think most are using the 33 days to morning glory, but we don't need to be using the same consecration. It's really about posing our thoughts and supporting each other and encouragement to get through any distractions. I think I'll start a new thread right before we start, so we can discuss our thoughts, prayers, questions., etc. Hope and I believe Border Collie have done the Monfort method, so hopefully they and others who have done this consecration can chime in. anyone else like to join us...there is still time
thanks Mario! I'll be using 33 Days to Morning Glory for the consecration and am reading True Devotion to Mary right now!
The consecration to Jesus through Mary made all the difference in my spiritual life. Nothing (Deo Gratias!) has been the same sense. I remake it every year. Ave Maria!
Came across this lately and thought it might be a good plan for Advent http://taylormarshall.com/2014/11/1-catholic-advent-devotional-33mary-com.html or just go to 33mary.com
I'm in the midst of my 33 day journey. My consecration date is Dec 12th- the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe If you have the opportunity, please say a quick prayer that I use this preparation time well. Thanks
Bartimaeus and Miker....and especially PotatoSack because she is the one who inspired my 33 day consecration. You will not be sorry...I completed mine on the feast of the Rosary October 7th...I can only attest Our Lady has saved my life since then...I will relate it in the coming months because it is all too real for me right now. Do it...you will not be sorry... these mere 33 days is simple, easy and powerful!
Awesome Mike!! No wonder those synod threads were really bothering you. I can't imagine doing the consecration while reading posts that takes away your peace and focus. But, maybe you were more spiritually sensitive to all that was happening. I will be praying for you
