Consecration bleg.

Would any of my readers like to comment on the class of devotions that are commonly known as the "Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary" or sometimes just the "Total Consecration to Mary?" I am discerning whether to make such a consecration and would be interested in hearing any experiences or insights about the nature of the devotion. I am not really sure I understand it, and though I get the impression that most folks enter into a deeper understanding of it as they go along, I am trying to take seriously the cautionary language l am seeing in some sources about the need for discernment first.

The most well-known form of the consecration under that name is, of course, the method of St. Louis de Montfort; but I have seen a couple of websites and books claiming that this is just one possible method, and that the same consecration can be enacted under one of several other methods, some of them being other well-known Marian devotions. The examples I have seen mentioned are the Sacred Heart devotion of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque; the Brown Scapular; and the Militia of the Immaculata consecration of St. Maximilian Kolbe.

I will maybe write more about my thoughts on this later -- I have read de Montfort's _True Devotion to Mary_ and some twentieth-century writings on the subject by Rev. William G. Most, and the experience has been thought-provoking to say the least -- but I thought first I would solicit comments from readers. Anyone?

Comments

[Tabitha]

Our family has done the home/family consecration to the Sacred Heart. As a family we try to do the Sacred Heart Devotions, though we do this very imperfectly. A lot of times this is seen in conjunction with a devotion to the Immaculate Heart, but we haven't really jumped into that part of it (yet).

I do know that the promises of the Sacred Heart Devotion really resonated with me at a very dark time in our family. The first promise being to have all the grace you need for your station in life.

It's been just over a year for us and our family's faith has certainly grown. I can point to many things which I believe have come from this devotion, not least of which is our new son. He is definitely our gift from the Sacred Heart. In many ways he's the gift we didn't know to ask for and I marvel that God would allow me another child at the end of the darkness that was 2010 for our family.

There is a lot more that I could say, but your combox probably isn't the place. I think that if you're being drawn to this type of devotion God really honors it even if you do it imperfectly (as I definitely do).

[Amber]

Two years ago I did the readings for the Consecration, but didn't actually make the Consecration. Last year I read True Devotion over the summer, then did the Consecration in the fall. This time I went through with it. I understand it better having done it, but frankly, I'm still processing. I plan do the prep for the Consecration again this fall and renew it. I'd like to reread True Devotion, but I'm not sure that is going to happen - at least not in full.

It was something I spent a lot of time praying about, and eventually realized that I had to move forward out of trust rather than complete intellectual understanding. Not an easy thing for me to do!!

How has it changed me? A little nebulous, but I think prayer is easier, I have more peace and less angst. I'm not sure I will ever manage to have the kind of intellectual understanding of what I've done that I would like, but I also think I'm becoming more ok with that.

[bearing]

Tabitha,

Thank you for your comment. I did not know that you were going through a difficult time last year. It hadn't occurred to me to do any of these devotions as a family or joint act -- we each tend to be fairly private about what we are "up to" spiritually. This particular consecration seemed significant enough that I almost felt I should get my dh's permission to do it!

Amber, I am getting a similar vibe about it not being necessary for my understanding to be complete, but I still have some room to assimilate the literature on the subject a bit -- in particular the relationship among the different methods of consecration ( so I can pick one) and also trying to discern if I desire some outward sign (say the Scapular) or not, and if so, if it is for the right reason.

[BettyDuffy]

I am so glad you posted on this subject--as I am also discerning. Not sure if I'll consecrate. A friend of mine asked a priest about it, and he warned her that sometimes women doing the consecration become--how to say--too holy--so that they also become averse to sex. Or something like that. Total hearsay--but still, it concerns me. I was in Regnum Christi for a number of years, and even before the news broke about Father Maciel, I had seen some of the damaging effects when women become too holy for their marriages. I really think it's a user error, when people mistake having relationships for worldliness.

Still, I could stand a little less worldliness in my life. I'd love to hear your thoughts on how it's going.

[bearing]

@Betty: "he warned her that sometimes women doing the consecration become--how to say--too holy--so that they also become averse to sex."

I agree with you that this would be a user error! I know you meant it tongue in cheek, but the idea of anyone being "too holy for one's marriage" should raise some alarm bells. For those of us who are married, it's within marriage that is our path to holiness. Sex and all! Every facet of marriage gives us an opportunity to practice self-sacrifice and generosity. Sex, not abstinence from sex, is the normal state of Christian marriage. Fullness of life and all that.

I wonder if for some, a stated desire to avoid "worldliness" doesn't just really reflect a desire to avoid uncomfortable realities that come with living in the world, or a passive-aggressive way to communicate displeasure with a spouse.

In any case, I don't think I am in danger of such an attitude. :-) But then, I never had any dealings with Regnum Christi and the like. I have just never been tempted to that all-flesh-is-evil kind of heresy.

[BettyDuffy]

"I wonder if for some, a stated desire to avoid "worldliness" doesn't just really reflect a desire to avoid uncomfortable realities that come with living in the world, or a passive-aggressive way to communicate displeasure with a spouse."

Yes.
The particular friend of mine who received this warning from her spiritual director tended towards scrupulosity. So, take it with a grain of salt. I think the scenario is more likely when a pious woman has a worldly spouse.