Discerning ways to grow closer to Christ through the season of Lent takes perseverance.  Myriad distractions seem to constantly erupt and attempt to block my good intentions, even of making a simple decision as to what to ‘give up’ or ‘take up’ this Lent.

This year one of my Lenten ‘take up’ disciplines came as a gift from God in the form of a phone call from a dear friend whose simple question about St. Louis de Montfort’s method of Total Devotion to Jesus through Mary inspired me.  She was discerning and soon decided to start the prescribed preparation on a suggested ‘beginning’ date which was quickly approaching (and has now arrived).

An answer to prayer, I discovered that this Total Consecration which can be celebrated or renewed at any time was highly recommended by St. Louis de Montfort to be made on the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25).  Beginning the preparation period now allows ample time for the suggested readings, meditations, prayer routines and even a general confession to form us and ready us to make a promise or consecration to Jesus through Mary on the Feast of the Annunciation.  With a renewed desire to follow the five-week formula, I decided to join my friend (and her husband) on this prayerful Lenten discipline.

My previous attempt at following the prescribed preparation saw me extending it over the course of five months rather than the suggested five weeks. I stayed with the program and found it highly valuable, but did not regularly commit to the daily readings, meditations and prayers as suggested.  The general confession was a great source of grace and well worth the effort.  I trusted that when the time was right, I would be able to make a Total Consecration in a meaningful way, perhaps with others.  The time is now!

I will once again be using a book edited by Fr. Libietis, which contains all the suggested readings from a wide variety of sources (Holy Gospels, Imitation of Christ, St. Louis de Montfort’s writings) and a wealth of information on various devotions and prayers.  I first received this book as a loan from a devout friend who made the Total Consecration herself and highly recommended it to me.  I decided to purchase a copy, when I realized the wealth of treasures it contained within.

However, this particular book is only one method of many now available to assist with the preparation.  Online resources abound, including a new iTunes Total Consecration app by Matthew Sich.

If you find yourself searching for a way to deepen your prayer life and grow closer to Jesus through our Blessed Mother this Lent, please consider joining those of us who are following in the footsteps St. Louis de Montfort. There are no hard and fast rules with the preparation or with the actual devotion; rather St. Louis offered a number of pious practices, proposed prayers and practical methods to grow in holiness.

Even if you are not able to follow the five week preparation period at this time, I highly recommend reading “Tips on Prayer and Meditation” at the beginning of Fr. Libietis’ book.  Perhaps your parish library, local library or archdiocesan resource center owns a copy or would respond favorably to a request to purchase it.  Encouragement and heavenly promises abound in Fr. Libietis’ “Tips”:

Do not expect every day to be a profitable day of meditation.  Sometimes the well can be dry.  Sometimes the tensions of daily life make the rope break. Let us not be afraid of the labor, for God seeing our good intentions and perseverance will presently come with a deluge of heavenly graces and raise us to a higher level of prayer. (p16)

May you give yourself the gift of a renewed spirit this Lent, and truly prepare yourself for Christ’s Resurrection at Easter.  Know that you are in my prayers.

Consecration to Mary: St. Louis De Montfort’s True Devotion : {Complete Five-Week Preparation : Prayers, Daily Meditations, Spiritual Guidance, Ceremony} by Louis-Marie Grignion De Montfort (Author), Helmuts Libietis (Editor), Angelus Press, 1998.