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Home , Company of Mary, Consecration, God Alone, Louis de Montfort, Secret of Mary, Superior (hierarchy)

Collected Daily Readings and in Preparation for Total according to

sponsored by St. John the Beloved Church McLean, Virginia

DAILY EXERCISES

Schedules for Consecration

Part 1: (12 Days) Spirit of the World I II III IV V VI 1st Day Dec. 31 Feb. 20 Mar. 26 Apr. 28 Jul. 13 Nov. 5 2nd Day Jan. 1 Feb. 21 Mar. 27 Apr. 29 Jul. 14 Nov. 6 3rd Day Jan. 2 Feb. 22 Mar. 28 Apr. 30 Jul. 15 Nov. 7 4th Day Jan. 3 Feb. 23 Mar. 29 May 1 Jul. 16 Nov. 8 5th Day Jan. 4 Feb. 24 Mar. 30 May 2 Jul. 17 Nov. 9 6th Day Jan. 5 Feb. 25 Mar. 31 May 3 Jul. 18 Nov. 10 7th Day Jan. 6 Feb. 26 Apr. 1 May 4 Jul. 19 Nov. 11 8th Day Jan. 7 Feb. 27 Apr. 2 May 5 Jul. 20 Nov. 12 9th Day Jan. 8 Feb. 28 Apr. 3 May 6 Jul. 21 Nov. 13 10th Day Jan. 9 Mar. 1 Apr. 4 May 7 Jul. 22 Nov. 14 11th Day Jan. 10 Mar. 2 Apr. 5 May 8 Jul. 23 Nov. 15 12th Day Jan. 11 Mar. 3 Apr. 6 May 9 Jul. 24 Nov. 16 Part II: (1st Week) Knowledge of Self 13th Day Jan. 12 Mar. 4 Apr. 7 May 10 Jul. 25 Nov. 17 14th Day Jan. 13 Mar. 5 Apr. 8 May 11 Jul. 26 Nov. 18 15th Day Jan. 14 Mar. 6 Apr. 9 May 12 Jul. 27 Nov. 19 16th Day Jan. 15 Mar. 7 Apr. 10 May 13 Jul. 28 Nov. 20 17th Day Jan. 16 Mar. 8 Apr. 11 May 14 Jul. 29 Nov. 21 18th Day Jan. 17 Mar. 9 Apr. 12 May 15 Jul. 30 Nov. 22 19th Day Jan. 18 Mar. 10 Apr. 13 May 16 Jul. 31 Nov. 23 Part III: (2nd Week) Knowledge of Our Lady 20th Day Jan. 19 Mar. 11 Apr. 14 May 17 Aug. 1 Nov. 24 21st Day Jan. 20 Mar. 12 Apr. 15 May 18 Aug. 2 Nov. 25 22nd Day Jan. 21 Mar. 13 Apr. 16 May 19 Aug. 3 Nov. 26 23rd Day Jan. 22 Mar. 14 Apr. 17 May 20 Aug. 4 Nov. 27 24th Day Jan. 23 Mar. 15 Apr. 18 May 21 Aug. 5 Nov. 28 25th Day Jan. 24 Mar. 16 Apr. 19 May 22 Aug. 6 Nov. 29 26th Day Jan. 25 Mar. 17 Apr. 20 May 23 Aug. 7 Nov. 30 Part III: (2nd Week) Knowledge ofChrist 27th Day Jan. 26 Mar. 18 Apr. 21 May 24 Aug. 8 Dec. 1 28th Day Jan. 27 Mar. 19 Apr. 22 May 25 Aug. 9 Dec. 2 29th Day Jan. 28 Mar. 20 Apr. 23 May 26 Aug. 10 Dec. 3 30th Day Jan. 29 Mar. 21 Apr. 24 May 27 Aug. 11 Dec. 4 31st Day Jan. 30 Mar. 22 Apr. 25 May 28 Aug. 12 Dec. 5 32nd Day Jan. 31 Mar. 23 Apr. 26 May 29 Aug. 13 Dec. 6 33rd Day Feb. 1 Mar. 24 Apr. 27 May 30 Aug. 14 Dec. 7

Consecration Day Feb. 2 Mar. 25 Apr. 28 May 31 Aug. 15 Dec. 8

Preparation for Total Consecration Part I TWELVE PRELIMINARY DAYS: SPIRIT OF THE WORLD DAYS 1-12

FIRST DAY INTRODUCTION TO PART I Holy Gospel of St. Matthew, 5,1-19

Examine your conscience, pray, practice And seeing the multitudes, he went up renouncement of your own will; into a mountain, and when he was set down, mortification, purity of heart. This purity is his disciples came unto him. And opening the indispensable condition for his mouth, he taught them saying: Blessed contemplating in heaven, to see Him on are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the earth and to know Him by the light of faith. kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: The first part of the preparation should for they shall possess the land. Blessed are be employed in casting off the spirit of the they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. world which is contrary to that of Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after Christ. The spirit of the world consists justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed essentially in denial of the supreme are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. domination of God; a denial which is Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall manifested in practice by sin and see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for disobedience; thus it is principally opposed they shall be called the children of God. to the spirit of Christ, which is also that of Blessed are they that suffer persecution for Mary. justice’s sake: for theirs is the kingdom of It manifests itself by the concupiscence heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall of the flesh, by the concupiscence of the revile you, and persecute you, and speak all eyes and by the pride of life. By that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: disobedience to God’s laws and the abuse of be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very created things. Its works are: sin in all great in heaven. For so they persecuted the forms, then all else by which the devil leads Prophets that were before you. to sin; works which bring error and darkness You are the salt of the earth. But if the to the mind, and seduction and corruption to salt losesits savour wherewith shall it be the will. Its pomps are the splendor and the salted? It is good for nothing anymore but charms employed by the devil to render sin to be cast out and be trodden on by men. alluring in persons, places and things. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am come not to destroy but to be fulfill. For Amen, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore, that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach man, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

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SECOND DAY THIRD DAY Holy Gospel of St. Matthew, 5,48; 6,1-15 Holy Gospel of St. Matthew, 7,1-14

Be ye therefore perfect, as also your Judge not, that you may not be judged. heavenly Father is perfect. Take head that For with what judgment you judge, you shall you do not your justice before men, to be be judged: and with what measure you seen by them: otherwise you shall not have mete, it small be measured to you again. the reward of your Father who is in heaven. And why seest thou the mote that is in thy Therefore when thou dost an almsdeed ’s eye; and seest not the beam that is sound not a trumpet before thee, as the in thy own eye? Or how sayest thou to thy hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the brother: let me cast the mote out of thy eye; streets, that they may be honoured by men. and behold a beam is in thy own eye? Thou Amen, I say to you, they have received their hypocrite, cast out first the beam of thy own reward. and when thou dost alms, let not eye and then shalt thou see to cast out the thy left hand know what thy right hand doth. mote out of thy brother’s eye. Give not that That thy alms may be in secret, and thy which is holy to dogs. Neither cast ye your Father who sees in secret will repay thee. pearls before swine, lest perhaps they And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the trample them under their feet: and turning hypocrites that love to stand and pray in the upon you, they tear you. Ask, and it shall be synagogues and corners of the streets, that given you: seek and you shall find: Knock they may be seen by men; Amen, I say to and it shall be opened to you. For everyone you, they have received their reward. But that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh thou, when thou have received their reward. findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be But thou, when thou shalt pray, enter into opened. thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray Or what man of whom if his son shall to the Father in secret; and thy Father who ask bread will he reach him a stone? Or, if seeth in secret will repay thee. And when he shall ask him a fish: will he reach him a you are praying, speak not much, as the serpent? If you then being evil know how to heathens. For they think that in their much give good to your children, how much speaking they may be heard. Be not you more will your Father who is in heaven, give therefore like to them; for your Father good things to them that ask him? All knoweth what is needful for you, before you things therefore whatsoever you would that ask him. Thus therefore shall you pray: Our men should do to you, do also to them. For Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be into the narrow gate: for wide is the gate and done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this broad is the way that leadeth to destruction day our supersubstantial bread, and forgive and many there are who go in therat. How us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And narrow is the gate and straight is the way lead us not into temptation. But deliver us that leadeth to life, and few are there that from evil. Amen. for if you will forgive find it! men their offences, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offences. But if Now turn to page 8 for Prayers. you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your offences.

Now turn to page 8 for Prayers.

3 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part I TWELVE PRELIMINARY DAYS: SPIRIT OF THE WORLD DAYS 1-12

FOURTH DAY FIFTH DAY Imitation of Christ, Book 3, Chapters 7, 40 Imitation of Christ, Book 3, Chapter 40

That man has no good of himself, Wherefore, but I did know well, how to and that he cannot glory in anything cast from me all human comfort, either for the sake of devotion, or through the Lord, what is man, that Thou art mindful necessity by which I am compelled to seek of him; or the son of man, that Thou visit Thee, because there is no hope in Thy favor, him? What has man deserved that Thou and rejoice in the of a new consolation. should give him grace? Lord, what cause Thanks be to Thee from Whom all things have I to complain, if Thou forsakest me, or proceed, as often as it happens to me, I, what can I justly allege, if what I petition indeed, am but vanity, and nothing in Thy Thou shalt not grant? This most assuredly, I sight, an inconstant and weak man. Where, may truly think and say: Lord I am nothing, therefore, can I glory, or for what do I desire I can do nothing of myself, that is good, but to be though of highly? I am in all things defective and ever tend to Forsooth of my very nothingness; and nothing. And unless I am assisted and this is most vain. Truly vainglory is an evil interiorly instructed by Thee, I become plague, because it draws away from true wholly tepid and relaxed, but Thou, O Lord, glory, and robs us of heavenly grace. For, art always the same, and endurest unto while a man takes complacency in himself, eternity, ever good, just and holy, doing all he displeases Thee; while he wants for things well, justly and holily and disposing human applause, he is deprived of true them in wisdom. virtues. But true, glory and holy exultation But I who am more inclined to go back, is to glory in Thee, and not in one’s self; to than to go forward, continue not always in rejoice in Thy Name, but not in one’s own one , for I am changed, seven different strength. To find pleasure in no creature, times. But it quickly becomes better when it save only for Thy sake. Let Thy Name be pleases Thee, and Thou stretchest out Thy praised, not mine: let Thy work be helping hand: for Thou alone, without magnified, not mine; let Thy Holy Name be man’s aid can assist me and so strengthen blessed, but let nothing be attributed to me me, that my countenance shall be more of the praise of men. Thou art my glory; diversely changed: but my heart be Thou art the exultation of my heart; in Thee, converted and find the rest in Thee alone. will I glory and rejoice all the day; but for He who would be too secure in time of myself, I will glory in nothing but in my peace will often be found too much dejected infirmities. in time of war. If you could always continue to be humble and little in your own eyes, Now turn to page 8 for Prayers. and keep your spirit in due order and subjection, you would not fall so easily into danger and offense. It is good counsel that, when you have conceived the spirit of fervor, you should meditate how it will be when that light shall be withdrawn.

Now turn to page 8 for Prayers.

4 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part I TWELVE PRELIMINARY DAYS: SPIRIT OF THE WORLD DAYS 1-12

SIXTH DAY SEVENTH DAY Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 18 Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 18

On the examples of the Holy Fathers Outwardly they suffered want, but within they were refreshed with grace and Look upon the lively examples of the Divine consolation. They were aliens to the holy Fathers in whom shone real perfection world; they seemed as nothing and the world and the religious life, and you will see how despised them; but they were precious and little it is, and almost nothing that we do. beloved in the sight of God. They Alas, what is our life when we compare it persevered in true humility, they lived in with theirs? and friends of Christ, simple obedience, they walked in charity they served our Lord in hunger and in thirst, and patience, and so every day they in cold, in nakedness, in labor and in advanced in spirit and gained great favor weariness, in watching, in fasting, prayers with God. They were given for example to and holy meditations, and in frequent all religious, and ought more to excite us to persecutions and reproaches. Oh, how many advance in good, than the number of grievous tribulations did the Apostles suffer lukewarm to induce us to grow remiss. Oh! and the Martyrs and the and how great was the fervor of all religious in Virgins, and all the rest who resolved to the beginning of their holy institute! Oh, fallow the steps of Christ? For they hated how great was their devotion in , how their lives in this world, that they might keep great was their zeal for virtue! How them in life everlasting. Oh what a strict vigorous the discipline that was kept up, and self-renouncing life the holy Fathers of what reverence and obedience, under the the desert led! What long and grievous rule of the , flourished in all! Their temptations did they bear! How often were traces that remain still bear witness, that they harassed by the enemy, what frequent they were truly holy and perfect men who and fervent prayers did they offer up to God, did battle so stoutly, and trampled the world what rigorous abstinence did they practice! under their feet. Now, he is thought great What a valiant contest waged they to who is not a transgressor; and who can, with subdue their imperfections! What purity and patience, endure what he has undertaken. straightforwardness of purpose kept they Ah, the lukewarmness and negligence of our towards God! By day they labored, and state! that we soon fall away from our first much of the night they spent in prayer; fervor, and are even now tired with life, though while they labored, they were far from slothfulness and tepidity. Oh that from leaving off mental prayer. They spent advancement in virtue be not quite asleep in all their time profitably. Every hour seemed thee, who has so often seen the manifold short to spend with God; and even their examples of the devout! necessary bodily refreshment was forgotten in the great sweetness of contemplation. Now turn to page 8 for Prayers. They renounced all riches, dignities, honors and kindred; they hardly took what was necessary for life. It grieved them to serve the body even in its necessity. Accordingly, they were poor in earthly things, but very rich in grace and virtues.

Now turn to page 8 for Prayers.

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EIGHTH DAY NINTH DAY Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 13 Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 13

Of resisting temptations Fire tries iron, and temptation a just man. We often know not what we are able As long as we live in this world, we to do, but temptations discover what we are. cannot be without temptations and Still, we must watch, especially in the tribulations. Hence it is written in Job beginning of temptation,; for then the enemy “Man’s life on earth is a temptation.” is more easily overcome, if he be not Everyone therefore should be solicitous suffered to enter the door of the mind, but is about his temptations and watch in prayer withstood upon the threshold of the very lest the devil find an opportunity to catch moment he knocks. Whence a certain one him: who never sleeps, but goes about, has said “Resist beginnings; all too late the seeking whom he can devour. No one is cure.” When ills have gathered strength, by perfect and holy as sometimes not to have long delay, first there comes from the mind temptations and we can never be wholly free a simple thought; then a strong imagination, from them. Nevertheless, temptations are afterwards delight, and the evil motion and very profitable to man, troublesome and consent and so, little by little the fiend does grievous though they may be, for in them, a gain , when he is not resisted in the man is humbled, purified and instructed. All beginning. The longer anyone has been the Saints passed through many tribulations slothful in resisting, so much the weaker he and temptations and were purified by them. becomes, daily in himself, and the enemy, so And they that could not support temptations, much the stronger in him. Some suffer became reprobate, and fell away. grievous temptations in the beginning of Many seek to flee temptations, and fall their conversion, others in the end and others worse into them. We cannot conquer by are troubled nearly their whole life. Some flight alone, but by patience and true are very lightly tempted, according to the humility we become stronger than all our wisdom and the equity of the ordinance of enemies. He who only declines them God who weighs man’s condition and outwardly, and does not pluck out their root, merits, and preordaineth all things for the will profit little; nay, temptations will sooner of His elect. We must not, return and he will find himself in a worse therefore, despair when we are tempted, but condition. By degrees and by patience you the more fervently pray to God to help us in will, by God’s grace, better overcome them every tribulation: Who, of a truth, according than by harshness and your own to the sayings of St. Paul, will make such importunity. Take council the oftener in issue with the temptation, that we are able to temptation, and do not deal harshly with one sustain it. who is tempted; but pour in consolation, as Let us then humble our souls under the thou wouldst wish to be done unto yourself. hand of God in every temptation and Inconstancy of mind and little confidence in tribulation, for the humble in spirit, He will God, is the beginning of all temptations. For save and exalt. In temptation and as a ship without a helm is driven to and fro tribulations, it is proved what progress man by the waves, so the man who neglects and has made; and there also is great merit, and gives up his resolutions is tempted in many virtue is made more manifest. ways. Now turn to page 8 for Prayers. Now turn to page 8 for Prayers.

6 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part I TWELVE PRELIMINARY DAYS: SPIRIT OF THE WORLD DAYS 1-12

TENTH DAY ELEVENTH DAY Imitation of Christ, Book 3, Chapter 10 Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 25

That it is sweet to despise the world Of the Fervent Amendment of our whole life and to serve God When a certain anxious person, who Now, will I speak again, O Lord, and often times wavered between hope and fear, will not be silent, I will say in the hearing of once overcome with sadness, threw himself my God and my King who is on high: Oh, upon the ground in prayer, before one of the how great is the abundance of Thy in the Church and thinking these sweetness, O Lord, which Thou hast hidden things in his mind, said “Oh, if I only knew for those that fear Thee! But what art Thou, how to persevere,” that very instant he heard for those who love Thee? What, to those within him, this heavenly answer: “And if who serve Thee with their whole heart? thou didst know this, what would thou do? Unspeakable indeed is the sweetness of Thy Do now what you would do, and thou shall contemplation, which Thou bestowest on be perfectly secure.” And immediately those who love Thee. In this most of all hast being consoled, and comforted, he Thou showed me the sweetness of Thy love, committed himself to the Divine Will, and that when I had no being, Thou didst make his anxious thoughts ceased. He no longer me; and when I was straying far from Thee, wished for curious things; searching to find Thou brought me back again, that i Might out what would happen to him, but studied serve Thee: and Thou hast commanded me rather to learn what was the acceptable and to serve Thee. O Fountain of everlasting perfect will of God for the beginning and the love, what shall I say of Thee? How can I perfection of every good work. forget Thee, Who hast vouchsafed to “Hope in the Lord,” said the Prophet, remember me even after I was corrupted and “And do all good, and inhabit the land, and lost? Beyond all hope Thou showest mercy thou shall be fed of the riches thereof.” to Thy servant; and beyond all desert, hast There is one thing that keeps many back Thou manifested Thy grace and friendship. from spiritual progress and from fervor in What return shall I make to Thee for this amendment namely: the labor that is favor? For it is granted to all who forsake necessary for the struggle. And assuredly these things, to renounce the world, and to they especially advance beyond others in assume the monastic life. Is it much that I virtues, who strive the most manfully to should serve Thee, Whom the whole overcome the very things which are the creation is bound to serve? It ought not to hardest and most contrary to them. For seem much to me to serve Thee; but this there a man does profit more and merit more does rather appear great and wonderful to abundant grace, when he does most to me, that Thou vouchsafest to receive one so overcome himself and mortify his spirit. All wretched and unworthy as Thy servant. have not, indeed, equal difficulties to It is a great honor, a great glory, to serve overcome and mortify, but a diligent and Thee, and to despise all things for Thee, for zealous person will make a greater progress they who willingly subject themselves to though he have more passions that another, Thy holy service, shall have great grace. who is well regulated but less fervent in the They shall experience the most sweet pursuit of virtues. consolation of the Holy Spirit, Who for The love of Thee, have cast aside all carnal Now turn to page 8 for Prayers. delight.

Now turn to page 8 for Prayers. 7 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part I TWELVE PRELIMINARY DAYS: SPIRIT OF THE WORLD DAYS 1-12

TWELFTH DAY VENI CREATOR Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 25 Come, O Creator Spirit blest! And, whatever you see that is worthy of And in our souls take up thy rest; blame, take care that you do not do yourself, Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid, or if you have ever done so, study to amend To fill the hearts which Thou hast made. as soon as possible. As your eye observes others, so again, you are observed by others. Great Paraclete! to Thee we cry, How pleasant and sweet it is to see brethren O highest gift of God most high! fervent and devout, well-mannered and well- O font of life! O fire of love! disciplined! How sad and afflicting to see And sweet from above. them disorderly and not practicing the things they are called to do. How mischievous it is Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts art known, to neglect that purpose of their , The finger of God’s hand we own; and to turn their minds to what is not their The promise of the Father, Thou! business. Be mindful of the purpose you Who dost the tongue with power endow. have undertaken, and place before you the image of the Crucified. Well may you be Kindle our senses from above, ashamed when looking into the Life of Jesus And make our hearts o’erflow with love; Christ, that as yet you have not studied more With patience firm and virtue high to conform yourself to Him, long as you The weakness of our flesh supply. have been in the way of God. The religious who exercises himself Far from us drive the foe we dread, earnestly and devoutly in the most holy life And grant us Thy true peace instead; and Passion of our Lord shall find there So shall we not, with Thee for guide, abundantly all that is useful and necessary Turn from the path of life aside. for him, nor need he seek out of Jesus, for anything better. Oh, if the Crucified Jesus Oh, may Thy grave on us bestow should come into your heart, how quickly The Father and the Son to know, and sufficiently learned would you be. The And Thee through endless times confessed fervent and diligent man is ready for all Of both the eternal Spirit blest. things. It is harder labor to withstand our vices and passions then to toil at bodily All glory while the ages run labors. He that shuns not small defects, little Be to the Father and the son by little, falls into greater ones. You will Who rose from death; the same to Thee, always be glad in the evening if you spent O Holy Ghost, eternally. Amen. the day profitably. Watch over yourself, stir up yourself, and whatever may become of others, neglect not yourself. In proportion as you do violence to yourself, the greater progress will you make. Amen.

Continue on the next column with the Prayers.

8 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part I TWELVE PRELIMINARY DAYS: SPIRIT OF THE WORLD DAYS 1-12

AVE MARIS STELLA

Hail, bright star of ocean, My soul doth magnify the Lord. God’s own Mother blest, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Ever sinless , Savior. Gate of heavenly rest. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, from Taking that sweet Ave henceforth all generations shall call me Which from Gabriel came, blessed. Peace confirm within us, Because He that is mighty hath done great Changing Eva’s name. things to me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is from generation to Break the captives’ fetters, generations, to them that fear Him. Light on blindness pour, He hath showed might in His arm; He hath All our ills expelling, scattered the proud in the conceit of their Every bliss implore. heart. He hath put down the mighty from their Show thyself a Mother; seat; and hath exalted the humble. May the Word Divine, He hath filled the hungry with good things; Born for us thy Infant, and the rich he hath sent empty away. Hear our prayers through thine. He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of his mercy. Virgin all excelling, As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and Mildest of the mild, to his seed forever. Amen. Freed from guilt, preserve us, Glory be to the Father… 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.

9 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 2 KNOWLEDGE OF SELF DAYS 13-19

THIRTEENTH DAY INTRODUCTION TO PART II Holy Gospel of St. Luke, 11,1-11

Prayers, examens, reflection, acts of And it came to pass, that as He was in a renouncement of our own will, of contrition certain place praying, when He ceased, one for our sins, of contempt of self—all of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us performed at the feet of Mary, for it is from to pray, as John also taught his disciples. her that we hope for light to know ourselves. And He said to them: when you pray, say: It is near her, that we shall be able to Father, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy measure the abyss of our miseries without Kingdom come. Give us this day our daily despairing. We should employ all our pious bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also actions in asking for a knowledge of forgive every one that is indebted to us. ourselves and contrition of our sins: and we And lead us not into temptation. And He should do this in a spirit of piety. During said to them: which of you shall have a this period, we shall consider not so much friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and the opposition that exists between the spirit shall say to him: Friend, lend me three of Jesus and ours, as the miserable and loaves, because a friend of mine is come off humiliating state to which our sins have his journey to me, and I have not what to set reduced us. Moreover, the True Devotion before him. And he from within should being an easy, short, sure and perfect way to answer and say: trouble me not, the door is arrive at that union with our Lord, which is now shut and my children are with me in Christlike perfection, we shall enter bed; I cannot rise and give thee. Yet, if he seriously upon this way, strongly convinced shall continue knocking, I say to you of our misery and helplessness. But, how although he will not rise and give him attain this without a knowledge of because he is a friend, yet because of his ourselves? importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you: ask and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.

Now turn to page 14 for Prayers.

10 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 2 KNOWLEDGE OF SELF DAYS 13-19

FOURTEENTH DAY FIFTEENTH DAY Imitation of Christ, Book 3, Chapter 13 Holy Gospel of St. Luke, 13,1-5

Of the obedience of a humble heart; And there were present, at that very after the example of Jesus Christ time, some that told Him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their Son, he who strives to withdraw himself sacrifices. And He answering, said to them: from obedience, withdraws himself from Think you, that these Galileans were sinners grace, and he that seeks particular privileges above all the men of Galilee, because they loses much as are in common. He who does suffered such things? No, I say to you: but not freely and willingly submit himself to unless you do penance, you shall all likewise his superior shows that his flesh is not as yet perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the perfectly obedient, but instead is often tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think rebellious. Learn then to submit yourself you, that they also were debtors above all readily to your superior, if you desire to the men that dwelt in Jerusalem? No, I say subdue your own flesh. for sooner is the to you; but except you do penance, you shall exterior enemy overcome, if the inward man all likewise perish. be not laid waste; there is not a more troublesome or worrisome enemy to the soul , No. 81, 82 than yourself when you are not agreeing with the spirit. You must in earnest We need Mary in order to die to ourselves conceive a true contempt of yourself, it you will prevail against flesh and blood, because In order to rid ourselves of self, we must as yet, you love yourself too inordinately, die to ourselves daily. This is to say, we therefore do you fear to resign yourself must renounce the operations of the powers entirely to the will of others. But what great of our soul, and the senses of our body. We matter is this, if you who are but dust and a must see as if we saw not, understand as if mere nothing, submit yourself to man for we understood not and make use of all the God’s sake, when I the Almighty, and the things of this world, as if we made no use of Most High, Who created all things out of them at all. This is what St. Paul calls dying nothing for thy sake, humbly subjected daily: “Unless the grain of wheat falling in Myself to man. the ground die, itself remaineth alone, and bringeth forth no good fruit.” If we do not Imitation: Of the obedience of a humble heart; die to ourselves, and if the holiest devotions after the example of Jesus Christ do not incline us to the necessary and useful death, we shall bring forth no fruit worth I became the most humble and the most anything, and our devotion will become subject of all men, that you might overcome useless. your pride. Learn O dust, to obey; learn to We must choose, therefore among all the humble yourself, and how to bow under the devotions to the Blessed Virgin, the one feet of all. Learn to break your own will, which draws us most toward this death to and yield yourself up to all subjection. ourselves, inasmuch as it will be the best

Now turn to page 14 for Prayers. and most satisfying.

Now turn to page 14 for Prayers.

11 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 2 KNOWLEDGE OF SELF DAYS 13-19

SIXTEENTH DAY True Devotion to Mary, No. 228 Now turn to page 14 for Prayers.

Preparatory Exercises

During the first week, we should offer SEVENTEENTH DAY up all our prayers and pious actions to ask Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 24 for a knowledge of ourselves and contrition for our sins: and we should do this in a Of judgment and punishment of sinners spirit of humility. For that end, we can, if we choose—meditate on our inward In all things look to the end and how will corruption, as explained before. We can you stand before the strict judge, from look upon ourselves, during these days, as Whom there is nothing hid, Who takes no snails, crawling things, toads, swine, bribes, receives no excuses, but will judge serpents, and unclean animals; or we can that which is just. O miserable sinner, O reflect on the three considerations of St. foolish sinner, what will you answer to God, Bernard: the vileness of our origin, the Who knows all your evil deeds. You who dishonors of our present state, and our are sometimes afraid of an angry man? Why ending as food for worms. We should pray don’t you provide yourself against the day our Lord and the Holy Ghost to enlighten us, of judgment? When no man can be excused and for that we might use the ejaculation, or defended by another, but each one will “Lord, that I may see!” or “May I know have enough to answer for himself? myself” or “Come Holy Ghost,” together Holy Gospel of St. Luke, 16,1-8 with the Litany of the Holy Ghost. We should have recourse to the Blessed Virgin And he said also to his disciples: there and ask her to grant this immense grace, was a certain rich man who had a steward; which must be the foundation of all others, and the same was accused unto him, that he for this end, we should say daily: Ave Maris had wasted his goods. And he called him, Stella, and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin. and said to him: How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship: Imitation of Christ, Book 2, Chapter 5 for now thou canst be steward no longer. And the steward said within himself: what Of self-consideration shall I do, because my Lord taketh away We may not trust too much of ourselves; from me the stewardship? To dig, I am not for the grace and understanding are often able; to beg, I am ashamed. I know what I wanting in us; there is but little light and this will do, that when I shall be removed from we may soon lose by negligence. the stewardship, they may receive me into Oftentimes we are quite unconscious how their houses. Therefore calling together blind we are. We often do amiss, and do every one of his lord’s debtors, he said to the worse in excusing ourselves. Sometimes we first: How much dost thou owe my Lord? are moved by passion, and think it zeal. We But he said: an hundred barrels of oil, And blame little things in others and overlook he said to him: take thy bill, set down great things in ourselves. We are quick quickly and write fifty. Then he said to enough in perceiving and weighing what we another: And how much dost thou owe? bear from others; but we think little of what Who said: An hundred quarters of wheat. others have to bear with us. He that should He said to him: take thy bill, and write well and justly weigh his own doings would eighty. And the Lord commended the unjust find little cause to judge harshly of another. steward, for as much as he had done wisely: 12 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 2 KNOWLEDGE OF SELF DAYS 13-19 for the children of this world are wiser in you down, but in every occurrence let My their generation than the children of light. promise strengthen and console you. I am sufficient in recompense to you beyond all Now turn to page 14 for Prayers. bounds and measures. It is not long you

have to labor here, nor will you always be oppressed with sorrows. Wait a little while EIGHTEENTH DAY and you shall see a speedy end of suffering. Holy Gospel of St. Luke, 17,1-10 Now turn to page 14 for Prayers. And he said to his disciples: It is impossible that scandals should not come. But woe to him through whom they come! NINETEENTH DAY It were better for him that a millstone were Holy Gospel of St. Luke, 18,15-30 hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should scandalize one of And they brought also unto him, infants these little ones. Take heed to yourselves. that he might touch them. Which when the If thy brother sin against thee, reprove him; disciples saw, they rebuked them. But and if he do penance, forgive him. And if he Jesus, calling them together, said: Suffer sin against thee seven times a day, and seven children to come unto me, and forbid them times a day be converted unto thee, saying: not: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. I repent. Forgive him. And the apostles Amen, I say to you: Whosoever shall not said to the Lord: Increase our faith. And receive the kingdom of God as a child, shall the Lord said: If you had faith like to a not enter into it. And a certain ruler, asked grain of mustard seed, you might say to this him, saying: Good Master, what shall I do to mulberry tree: Be thou rooted up, and be possess everlasting life? And Jesus said to thou transplanted into the sea. And it would him: Why dost thou call me good? None is obey you. But which of you having a good but . Thou knowest the servant, ploughing or feeding cattle, will say commandments: Thou shalt not kill: Thou to him, when he is come from the filed: shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not Immediately go. Sit down to eat. And will steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness: not rather say to him: Make ready my Honor thy father and mother. Who said: supper, and gird thyself, and serve me, All these things have I kept from my youth. whilst I eat and drink, and afterwards thou Which, when Jesus had heard, he said to shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that him: Yet, one thing is wanting thee. Sell all servant, for doing the things which he whatever thou hast, and give it to the poor, commanded him? I think not. So you also, and then thou shalt have treasure in heaven; when you shall have done all these things and come, follow me. He having heard that are commanded you, say: we are these things, became sorrowful; for he was unprofitable servants; we have done that very rich. And Jesus, seeing him become which we ought to do. sorrowful, said: How hardly shalt they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God. Imitation of Christ, Book 3, Chapter 47 For it is easier for a camel to pass through

That all grievous things the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to are to be endured for life everlasting enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said: Who then can be saved? Son, let not your labors which you have He said to them: The things that are undertaken for My sake crush thee, neither impossible with men are possible with God. let tribulations, from whatever source, cast Then Peter said: Behold, we have left all 13 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 2 KNOWLEDGE OF SELF DAYS 13-19 things, and followed thee. Who said to LITANY OF THE HOLY GHOST them: Amen, I say to you, there is not man that hath left house, or parents, brethren or Lord, have mercy on us. wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s Christ, have mercy on us. sake, who shall not receive much more in Lord, have mercy on us. this present time, and in the world to come Father, all powerful, have mercy on us. life everlasting. Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us. Continue on the next column with the Prayers. Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us. Holy , hear us. Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from 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, have mercy on us. Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us. Consuming fire, have mercy on us. Ardent Charity, have mercy on us. Spiritual unction, have mercy on us. Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us. Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us. Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us. Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us. Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us. Spirit of grave and prayer, have mercy on us. Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us. Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us. Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us. Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us. Spirit of the adoption of the children of god, have mercy on us. 14 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 2 KNOWLEDGE OF SELF DAYS 13-19

Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin. LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth. Lord, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls. Christ, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts. Lord, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Christ, hear us. Thy love, Christ, graciously hear us. Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. graces. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well. mercy on us. Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. inspirations. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation. Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary Holy Mother of God, pray for us. knowledge. Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us. Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of Mother of Christ, pray for us. good. Mother of , pray for us. Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all Mother most pure, pray for us. virtues. Mother most chaste, pray for us. Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice. Mother inviolate, pray for us. Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward. Mother undefiled, pray for us. of God, who takest away the sins of Mother most amiable, pray for us. the world, send us Thy Holy Ghost. Mother most admirable, pray for us. , Who takest away the sins of Mother of good council, pray for us. the world, pour down into our souls the Mother of our Creator, pray for us. gifts of the Holy Ghost. Mother of our Savior, pray for us. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of Virgin most prudent, pray for us. the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom Virgin most venerable, pray for us. and piety. Virgin most renowned, pray for us. V/. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Virgin most powerful, pray for us. Thy faithful. Virgin most merciful, pray for us. R/. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy Virgin most faithful, pray for us. Lord. Mirror of justice, pray for us. Seat of wisdom, pray for us. Let us pray Cause of our joy, pray for us. Spiritual vessel, pray for us. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Vessel of honor, pray for us. Spirit enlighten, inflame and purify us, that Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us. He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew Mythical rose, pray for us. and make us fruitful in good works; through Tower of David, pray for us. our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Tower of ivory, pray for us. Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth Tower of gold, pray for us. and reigneth forever and ever. Amen. Ark of the covenant, pray for us. Gate of heaven, pray for us. Morning Star, pray for us. Health of the sick, pray for us. Refuge of sinners, pray for us. Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us. 15 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 2 KNOWLEDGE OF SELF DAYS 13-19

Help of Christians, pray for us. Queen of angels, pray for us. Queen of patriarchs, pray for us. Hail, bright star of ocean, Queen of prophets, pray for us. God’s own Mother blest, Queen of Apostles, pray for us. Ever sinless Virgin, Queen of martyrs, pray for us. Gate of heavenly rest. Queen of confessors, pray for us. Queen of virgins, pray for us. Taking that sweet Ave Queen of all saints, pray for us. Which from Gabriel came, Queen conceived without , pray Peace confirm within us, for us. Changing Eva’s name. Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us. Queen of the most holy , pray for us. Break the captives’fetters, Queen of peace, pray for us. Light on blindness pour, Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of All our ills expelling, the world, spare us, O Lord. Every bliss implore. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Show thyself a Mother; Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of May the Word Divine, the world, have mercy on us. Born for us thy Infant, V/. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. Hear our prayers through thine. R/. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Virgin all excelling, Mildest of the mild, Let us pray Freed from guilt, preserve us, Pure and undefiled. Grant unto us, Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, at all times to enjoy Keep our life all spotless, health of soul and body; and by the glorious Make our way secure, intercession of Blessed Mary, ever virgin, Till we find in Jesus when freed from the sorrows of this present Joy forevermore. life, to enter into that joy which hath no end. Through Christ our Lord. Through the highest heaven R/. Amen. To the Almighty Three, Father, Son and Spirit, One same glory be. Amen.

16 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 3 KNOWLEDGE OF MARY DAYS 20-26

TWENTIETH DAY INTRODUCTION TO PART III Holy Gospel of St. Luke, 2,16-21.42-52

Acts of love, pious affections for the And they came with haste, and they Blessed Virgin, imitation of her virtues, found Mary and , and the infant lying especially her profound humility, her lively in a manger. And, seeing, they understood faith, her blind obedience, her continual of the word that had been spoken to them mental prayer, her mortification in all things, concerning this child. And all that heard her ardent charity, her heroic patience, her wondered at those things that were told them angelic sweetness and her divine wisdom: by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these “these being,” as St. Louis De Montfort words, pondering them in her heart. And the says, “the ten principal virtues of the shepherds returned, praising and glorifying Blessed Virgin.” God, for all the things that they had heard We must unite ourselves to Jesus and seen as it was told unto them. And after through Mary—this is the characteristic of eight days were accomplished, that the child our devotion; therefore Saint Louis De should be circumcised, his Name was called Montfort asks that we employ ourselves in Jesus, which was called by the angel before acquiring a knowledge of the Blessed he was conceived in the womb. . . Virgin. Mary is our sovereign and our And when he was twelve years old, they , our Mother and our Mistress. Let going up to Jerusalem, according to the us then endeavor to know the effects of this custom of the feast, and having fulfilled the royalty, of this mediation, and of this days, when they returned, the child Jesus maternity, as well as the grandeurs and remained in Jerusalem. And, his parents prerogatives which are the foundation or knew it not. And thinking that He was in consequences thereof. Our Blessed Mother the company, they came a day’s journey, is also perfect—a mold wherein we are able and sought him among their kinsfolk and to be molded in order to make her intentions acquaintance. And not finding him, they and dispositions ours. This we cannot returned into Jerusalem seeking him. And it achieve without studying the interior life of came to pass, that after three days, they Mary, namely, her virtues, her sentiments, found him in the temple, sitting in the midst her actions, her participation in the of the doctors, hearing them, and asking mysteries of Christ and her union with Him. them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at this wisdom and his answers. And seeing him, they wondered. And his Mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold, thy Father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And He said to them: How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the word that He spoke unto them. And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And His Mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.

Now turn to page 21 for Prayers.

17 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 3 KNOWLEDGE OF MARY DAYS 20-26

TWENTY-FIRST DAY interior and spiritual possessions: namely, , Nos. 23-24 our merits, graces, virtues, and satisfactions.

True Devotion to Our Blessed Lady Now turn to page 21 for Prayers.

If we would go up to God, and be united with Him, we must use the same means He used to come down to us to be made Man TWENTY-SECOND DAY and to impart His graces to us. This means True Devotion to Mary, Nos. 105-110. is a true devotion to our Blessed Lady. The characteristics of true devotion There are several true devotions to our Lady: here I do not speak of those which Interior: True Devotion to our Lady is are false. interior: that is, it comes from the mind and The first consists in fulfilling our the heart, it flows from the esteem we have Christian duties, avoiding mortal sin, acting for her, the high idea we have formed of her more out of love than with fear, praying to greatness and the love which we have for our Lady now and then, honoring her as the her. Mother of God, yet without having any Tender: It is tender, that is, full of special devotion to her. confidence in her like a child’s confidence The second consists in entertaining for in his loving Mother. This confidence our Lady more perfect feelings of esteem makes the soul have recourse to her in all its and love, of confidence and veneration. It bodily and mental necessities, with much leads us to join the of the simplicity, trust and tenderness. Holy Rosary and of the , to recite Holy: This devotion to our Lady is holy: the five decades of the Holy Rosary (the that is to say, it leads the soul to avoid sin fifteen mysteries), to honor Mary’s images and imitate the virtues of the Blessed Virgin, and altars, to publish her praises and to particularly her profound humility, her lively enroll ourselves into her sodalities. This faith, her blind obedience, her continual devotion is good, holy and praiseworthy if prayer, her universal mortification, her we keep ourselves free from sin. But it is divine purity, her ardent charity, her heroic not so perfect as the next, nor so efficient in patience, her angelic sweetness and her severing our soul from creatures, in divine wisdom. These are the ten principal detaching ourselves in order to be united virtues of the most holy Virgin. with Jesus Christ. Constant: It is constant, that is to say, it the third devotion to our Lady, known confirms the soul in good, and does not let it and practiced by very few persons, is this I easily abandon its spiritual exercises. It am about to disclose to you, predestinate makes it courageous in opposing the world soul. It consists in giving one’s self entirely and its fashions and maxims, the flesh in its and as a slave to Mary, and to Jesus through weariness and passions; and the devil in his Mary, and after that, to do all that we do, temptations, so that a person truly devout to through Mary, with Mary, in Mary and for our Blessed Lady is neither changeable, Mary. We should choose a special feastday irritable, scrupulous or timid. on which we give, consecrate and sacrifice Disinterested: True Devotion to our to Mary, voluntarily, lovingly and without Lady is disinterested: that is to say, it constraint, entirely and without reserve: our inspires the soul not to seek itself but God body and soul, our exterior property, such as only, and God in His holy Mother. a true house, family and income, and also our client of Mary does not serve that august Queen from a spirit of lucre and interest, nor 18 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 3 KNOWLEDGE OF MARY DAYS 20-26 for his own good, whether temporal or or one least good intention. We must do it eternal, corporal or spiritual, but exclusively also for eternity, and we must do it without because she deserves to be served and God pretending to, or hoping for any other alone in her. recompense for our offering and service, except the honor of belonging to Jesus Now turn to page 21 for Prayers. Christ, through Mary and in Mary—even

though that sweet Mistress were not, as she always is, the most generous and the most TWENTY-THIRD DAY grateful of creatures. True Devotion to Mary, Nos. 120, 121 Now turn to page 21 for Prayers. Nature of perfect devotion to the Blessed Virgin or perfect consecration to Jesus Christ

All our perfection consists in being TWENTY-FOURTH DAY conformed, united and consecrated to Jesus True Devotion to Mary, Nos. 152-164 Christ; and therefore the most perfect of all This devotion is an easy, short, perfect devotions is, without any doubt, that which and secure way of attaining union with our the most perfectly conforms, unites and Lord, in which union the perfection of a consecrates us to Jesus Christ. Now Mary, Christian consists. It is an easy way: It is being the most conformed of all creatures to the way which Jesus Christ Himself trod in Jesus Christ, it follows that of all devotions, coming to us in which there is no obstacle in that which most consecrates and conforms reaching Him. It is true that we can attain the soul to our Lord is devotion to His holy divine union by other roads, but it is by Mother. That the more a soul is consecrated many crosses and strange deaths, and with to Mary, the more it is consecrated to Jesus many more difficulties which we shall find Christ (Sec. 120). Hence it comes to pass it hard to overcome. It is a short way: This that the most perfect consecration to Jesus devotion to our Blessed Lady is a short road Christ is nothing else but a perfect to find Jesus Christ, both because it is a road consecration, of ourselves, to the Blessed from which we do not stray, and because as Virgin, and this is the devotion which I I have just said it is a road which we tread teach; or, in other words, a perfect renewal with joy and facility, and consequently with of the vows and promises of Holy . promptitude. We make more progress in a This devotion consists then, in giving brief period of submission to and ourselves entirely to our Lady, in order to dependence on Mary, than in whole years of belong entirely to Jesus Christ, through her. following our own will and of relying upon We must give her: Our body, with all its ourselves. It is a perfect way: This practice senses and members; our soul with all its of devotion to our Blessed Lady is also a power; our exterior goods of fortune, perfect path by which to go and unite whether present or to come; our interior and ourselves to Jesus, because the divine Mary spiritual goods, which are our merits, our is the most perfect and the most holy of virtues and our good works, past, present, creatures, and because Jesus, Who has come and future. In a word, we must give her all to us most perfectly, took no other road for we have in the order of nature and in the His great and admirable journey. The Most order of grace and all that may become ours High, the Incomprehensible, the in the future in the orders of nature, grace Inaccessible, He Who is, had willed to come and glory; and this we must do without to us little worms of earth, who are nothing. reserve of so much as one farthing, one hair, How has He done this? The Most High has 19 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 3 KNOWLEDGE OF MARY DAYS 20-26 come down to us perfectly and divinely, by the greatest of all faiths, that were ever on the humble Mary without losing anything of this earth, greater than all the faiths of all the His Divinity and Sanctity. So it is by Mary patriarchs, prophets, apostles and saints put that the very little ones are to ascend together. perfectly and divinely, without any fear, to the Most High. It is a secure way: This Third Effect: This Mother of fair love, will devotion to our Blessed Lady, is also a take away from your heart, all scruple and secure way to go to Jesus and to acquire all disorder of servile fear. perfection, by uniting ourselves to Him. It is a secure way because the practice which I Fourth Effect: Our Blessed Lady will fill am teaching is not new. Indeed, we cannot you with great confidence in god and in see how it could be condemned without herself because you will not be approaching overturning the foundations of . Jesus by yourself, but always by that good It is clear then, that this devotion is not new, Mother. and that if it is not common, that is because it is too precious to be relished and practiced Fifth Effect: The soul of our Blessed Lady by everyone. This devotion is a secure will communicate itself to you, to glorify the means of going to Jesus Christ, because it is Lord. Her spirit will enter into the place of the very characteristic of Our Blessed Lady yours, to rejoice in God, her salvation, to conduct us surely to Jesus. provided only that you are faithful to the practices of this devotion. Now turn to page 21 for Prayers.

Sixth Effect: If Mary, who is the tree of life, is well cultivated in our soul by fidelity to TWENTY-FIFTH DAY the practices of this devotion, she will bear True Devotion to Mary, Nos. 213-225 fruit in her own time, and her fruit is none other that Jesus Christ. Wonderful Effects of This Devotion Seventh Effect: By this practice, faithfully My dear brother, be sure that if you are observed, you will give Jesus more glory in faithful to the interior and exterior practices a month, than by any other practice, of this devotion which I will point out—the however difficult, in many years. following effects will take place in your soul. Now turn to page 21 for Prayers.

First Effect: By the light which the Holy Ghost will give you through His dear Spouse, Mary, you will understand your TWENTY-SIXTH DAY True Devotion to Mary, Nos. 12-38 own evil, your corruption and your incapacity for anything good. In other If you wish to comprehend the Mother, words, the humble Mary will communicate says a saint, comprehend the Son, for she is to you a portion of her profound humility, the worthy Mother of God. Here, let every which will make you despise yourself, tongue be mute. Up to this time, the divine despise nobody else, but love to be despised Mary has been unknown, and that is the yourself. reason Jesus Christ is not known as He ought to be. If then the knowledge and the Second Effect: Our Blessed Lady also will kingdom of Jesus Christ are to come into the give you a portion of her faith, which was world, they will be but a necessary 20 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 3 KNOWLEDGE OF MARY DAYS 20-26 consequence of the knowledge and the LITANY OF THE HOLY GHOST kingdom of the most holy Virgin Mary, who brought Him into the world for the first Lord, have mercy on us. time, and will make His second advent full Christ, have mercy on us. of splendor. Lord, have mercy on us. Mary, being a mere creature that has Father, all powerful, have mercy on us. come from the hands of the Most High, is in Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer comparison with his infinite Majesty less of the world, save us. than an atom; or rather she is nothing at all, Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless because He is “He Who Is,” consequently life of both, sanctify us. that grand Lord, always independent and Holy Trinity, hear us. sufficient to Himself, never had, and has not Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the now an absolute need of the Holy Virgin for Father and the Son, enter our hearts. the accomplishment of His Will, and for the Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and Manifestation of His Glory. He has but to the Son, enter our hearts. will in order to do everything. Nevertheless, Promise of God the Father, have mercy on God, having willed to commence and to us. complete His greatest works by the Most Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us. Holy Virgin, ever since He created her, we Author of all good, have mercy on us. may well think He will not change His Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us. conduct in the eternal ages; for He is God, Consuming Fire, have mercy on us. and He changes not, either in His sentiments Ardent Charity, have mercy on us. or in His conduct. Spiritual unction, have mercy on us. Mary is the and earth Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us. by grace, as Jesus is the King of them by Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have nature and by conquest. Now, as the mercy on us. kingdom of Jesus Christ consists principally Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy in the heart or the interior of Man— on us. according to the words, “The Kingdom of Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy God is within you”—in like manner the on us. kingdom of our Blessed Lady is principally Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on in the interior of man; that is to say, his soul. us. And it is principally in souls that she is more Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us. glorified with her Son than in all visible Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy creatures, and so we can call her, as the on us. saints do, the Queen of All Hearts. Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us. Continue on the next column with the Prayers. Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us. Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us. Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, inspire us with the horror of sin. 21 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 3 KNOWLEDGE OF MARY DAYS 20-26

Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN earth. Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls. Lord, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, engrave the law in our hearts, Christ, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Lord, have mercy on us. Thy love, Christ, hear us. Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of thy Christ, graciously hear us. Graces, God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly mercy on us. inspirations. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary Holy Mary, pray for us. knowledge. Holy Mother of God, pray for us. Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us. good. Mother of Christ, pray for us. Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all Mother of divine grace, pray for us. virtues. Mother most pure, pray for us. Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice. Mother most chaste, pray for us. Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward. Mother inviolate, pray for us. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of Mother undefiled, pray for us. the world, send us Thy Holy Ghost. Mother most amiable, pray for us. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of Mother most admirable, pray for us. the world, pour down into our souls the Mother of good counsel, pray for us. gifts of the Holy Ghost. Mother of our Creator, pray for us. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of Mother of our Savior, pray for us. the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom Virgin most prudent, pray for us. and piety. Virgin most venerable, pray for us. V/. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Virgin most renowned, pray for us. Thy faithful. Virgin most powerful, pray for us. R/. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy Virgin most merciful, pray for us. love. Virgin most faithful, pray for us. Mirror of justice, pray for us. Let us Pray Seat of wisdom, pray for us. Cause of our joy, pray for us. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spiritual vessel, pray for us. Spirit enlighten, inflame and purify us, that Vessel of honor, pray for us. He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us. and make us fruitful in good works; through Mystical rose, pray for us. our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Tower of David, pray for us. Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth Tower of ivory, pray for us. and reigneth forever and ever. Amen. House of gold, pray for us. Ark of the covenant, pray for us. Gate of heaven, pray for us. Morning Star, pray for us. Health of the sick, pray for us. Refuge of sinners, pray for us. Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us. 22 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 3 KNOWLEDGE OF MARY DAYS 20-26

Help of Christians, pray for us. AVE MARIS STELLA Queen of angels, pray for us. Queen of patriarchs, pray for us. Hail, bright star of ocean, Queen of prophets, pray for us. God’s own Mother blest, Queen of Apostles, pray for us. Ever sinless Virgin, Queen of martyrs, pray for us. Gate of heavenly rest. Queen of confessors, pray for us. Queen of virgins, pray for us. Taking that sweet Ave Queen of all saints, pray for us. Which from Gabriel came, Queen conceived without original sin, pray Peach confirm within us, for us. Changing Eva’s name. Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us. Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us. Break the captive’s fetters, Queen of peace, pray for us. Light on blindness pour, Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of All our ills expelling the world, spare us, O Lord. Every bliss implore. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Show thyself a Mother; Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of May the Word Divine, the world, have mercy on us. Born for us thy Infant, V/. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. Hear our prayers through thine. R/. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Virgin all excelling, Mildest of the mild, Let us pray Freed from guilt, preserve us, Pure and undefiled. Grant unto us, Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, at all times to enjoy Keep our life all spotless, health of soul and body; and by the glorious Make our way secure, intercession of Blessed Mary, ever virgin, Till we find in Jesus when freed from the sorrows of this present Joy forevermore. life, to enter into that joy which hath no end. Through Christ our Lord. Through the highest heaven R/. Amen. To the Almighty Three, Father, Son and Spirit, One same glory be. Amen.

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ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT’S PRAYER TO MARY Lord hast given thee, and which shall never be taken away from thee—and this thought , beloved Daughter of the fills my heart with joy. As for my part here Eternal Father. Hail Mary, admirable below, I wish for no other than that which Mother of the Son. Hail Mary, faithful was thine, to believe sincerely without Spouse of the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary, my spiritual pleasures, to suffer joyfully without Mother, my loving Mistress, my powerful human consolation, to die continually to sovereign. Hail, my joy, my glory, my heart myself without respite, and to work and my soul. Thou art all mine by mercy, zealously and unselfishly for thee until and I am thine by justice. But I am not yet death, as the humblest of thy servants. The sufficiently thine. I now give myself wholly only grace I beg thee, for me, is that every to thee without keeping anything back for moment of the day, and every moment of myself or others. If thou seest anything in my life, I may say—“Amen, so be it, to all me which does not belong to thee, I beseech that thou art doing in heaven. Amen, so be thee to take it and make thyself the absolute it, to all thou didst do while on earth. Amen, Mistress of all that is mine. so be it, to all thou art doing in my soul,” sot Destroy in me all that may displease that thou alone mayest fully glorify Jesus in God; root it up and bring it to nought. Place me for time and eternity. Amen. and cultivate in me everything that is pleasing to thee. May the light of thy faith RECITATION OF THE HOLY ROSARY. . . 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 the 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 God; 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 devotions, 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 willest. Such is, O heavenly Mary, the ‘best part’, which the 24 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 4 KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST DAYS 27-33

TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY INTRODUCTION TO PART IV True Devotion to Mary, Nos. 61, 62

True Devotion to Mary Christ our Last End Nos. 60-67, 183, 212, 226-265 Jesus Christ our Savior, true God and Acts of love of God, thanksgiving for the blessings true Man, ought to be the last end of all our of Jesus, contrition and resolution devotions, else they are false and delusive. Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the During this period we shall apply beginning and the end, of all things. We ourselves to the study of Jesus Christ. What labor not, as the Apostle says, except to is to be studied in Jesus Christ? render every man perfect in Jesus Christ;

because it is in Him alone that the whole First: The Man-God, His grace and glory; plenitude of the Divinity dwells together then His rights to sovereign with all the other plenitudes of graces, dominion over us; since, having renounced virtues and perfections. It is in Him alone Satan and the world, we have taken Jesus that we have been blessed with all spiritual Christ as our Lord. benediction; and He is our only Master,

Who has to teach us; our only Lord on Second: His interior life; namely, the Whom we ought to depend; our only Head virtues and the acts of His Heart; His to Whom we must be united; our only association with Mary in the mysteries of Model to Whom we should conform the and Incarnation. During ourselves; our only Physician Who can heal His infancy and hidden life at the feast of us; our only Shepherd Who can feed us; our Cana and on . . . . only Way Who can lead us; our only Truth

Whom we must believe; our only Life Who

can animate us; and our only all in all things Who can satisfy us. There has been no other name given under heaven, except the name of Jesus, by which we can be saved. God has laid no other foundation of our salvation, our perfection or our glory, than Jesus Christ. Every building which is not built on that firm rock is founded upon the moving sand, and sooner or later infallibly will fall. By Jesus Chris, with Jesus Christ, in Jesus Christ, we can do all things; we can render all honor and glory to the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost; we can become perfect ourselves, and be to our neighbors a good odor of eternal life. If, then, we establish solid devotion to our Blessed Lady, it is only to establish more perfectly devotion to Jesus Christ, and to provide an easy and secure means for finding Jesus Christ. Devotion to our Lady is necessary for us, as I have already shown, and will show still further hereafter, as a

25 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 4 KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST DAYS 27-33 means of finding Jesus Christ perfectly, of found them sleeping; for their eyes were loving Him tenderly, of serving Him heavy. And leaving them, he went again, faithfully. and prayed the third time, saying the self same word. Then He came to his disciples, Now turn to page 30 for Prayers. and said to them: sleep ye now, and take

our rest; behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY of sinners. Rise, let us go; behold, he is at Holy Gospel of St. Matthew, 26,1,26-29,36-46 hand that will betray Me.

And it came to pass, when Jesus had Now turn to page 30 for Prayers. ended all these words, he said to his disciples: You know that after two days shall be the Pasch, and the Son of man shall TWENTY-NINTH DAY be delivered up to be crucified. Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 1 And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread and blessed, and broke; and gave Of to His Disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat, and indifference to earthy vanities this is My Body. And taking the , he He who follows Me does not walk in gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: darkness. (John 8:12). Christ reminds you Drink ye all of this. For this is my blood of with these words that you must imitate His the new testament which shall be shed for life, if you wish to be truly enlightened and many unto the remission of sins. And I say freed from all blindness of heart. Your main to you, I will not drink from henceforth of task, therefore, should be to study the life of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I Our Lord. shall drink it with you new in the kingdom The teaching of Christ is greater than the of my Father. . . advice of all the saints taken together. And Then Jesus came with them into a if you study it with His frame of mind and country place which is called Gethsemani. heart, you will find in his teaching a hidden And he said to His disciples: Sit you here source of consolation and strength. till I go yonder and pray. And taking with Unfortunately, however, so many people Him Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, he care little or nothing about the Word of God, began to grow sorrowful, to be sad. Then he even though they have heard it time and said to them: My soul is sorrowful even time again, because they do not have the unto death. Stay you here and watch with spirit of Christ. Yet, if you really want to me. And going a little further, he fell upon understand the Words of Christ, you must his face, praying and saying: My Father, if try to pattern your whole life on His. it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. What good is it to be able to explain the Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt. doctrine of the Blessed Trinity if you And he came to his disciples and found them displease the Blessed Trinity by your lack of asleep. And He said to Peter: What? Could humility? It is a good life that makes you you not watch one hour with Me? Watch pleasing to God, not high-sounding words ye; and pray that ye enter not into and clever expressions. It is better to feel temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but contrition for your sins than to know how to the flesh weak. Again, the second time, he define it. What good is it to know the entire went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this Bible by heart and to learn the saying of all chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, Thy will be done. and he came again, and 26 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 4 KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST DAYS 27-33 the philosophers if you live without grace cross, who in their lifetime made themselves and the Love of God? one with the Crucified, draw near with great Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, trust to Christ, the judge. unless you serve God and love Him with Why are you afraid, then to take up the your whole heart. (Eccles. 1:2). The greatest cross when through it you can win an eternal wisdom of all is to seek the kingdom of kingdom? In the cross is salvation; in it is heaven by despising the things of this world. life; in it is protection from your enemies; in it is heavenly sweetness, in it is strength of Now turn to page 30 for Prayers. mind; in it is joy of spirit; in it is the highest

virtue; in the cross is perfect holiness. Take up you cross and follow Jesus, and THIRTIETH DAY you will merit eternal life. Holy Gospel of St. Matthew, 27,36-44 Now turn to page 30 for Prayers. And they sat down and watched Him, and they put over his head his cause written: This is Jesus the King of the Jews. Then THIRTY-FIRST DAY were crucified with him two thieves: one on Imitation of Christ, Book 4, Chapter 2 the right hand and one on the left. And they that passed by blasphemed him, wagging Of the Love God Shows You their heads, and saying: Vah, thou that In The Blessed destroyest the temple of God and in three Trusting in Your great goodness and days dost rebuild it: Save thy own self: if mercy, Lord, I come as one sick to the thou be the Son of God, come down from Physician, as one thirsty to the Fountain of the cross. And in like manner, also the chief Life, as one in need to the King of heaven; I , with the scribes and the ancients come as a servant to my Master, as a mocking him, said: He saved others; creature to my Creator, as a dejected soul to himself he cannot save. If he be the King of my loving Comforter. Israel, let him now come down from the But why should You come to Me? Who cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted am I that You should give Yourself to me? in God; let him now deliver him, if he will How can a sinner dare show his face in Your have him. for he said: I am the Son of God. presence? And why do You condescend to And the selfsame thing the thieves also, that visit a sinner: You know Your servant; You were crucified with him. know he has no good in him, and, therefore, Imitation of Christ, Book 2, Chapter 12 You have not reason to grant him this great grace. Thus I confess my unworthiness; and Of the Royal Road of the Cross I acknowledge Your goodness. I praise Your mercy, and I give thanks for Your To many the saying, “Deny yourself, boundless love. take up your cross and follow Me,” seems hard. How much harder, however, will the True Devotion to Mary, Nos. 243-254 words on the Day of Judgment be: Depart from Me, you accursed ones, into the Those who undertake this holy slavery everlasting fire. (Matt. 25:41). Those who should have a special devotion to the great th follow the cross willingly now, will not fear mystery of the Incarnation of the Word (25 the last judgment. When the Lord comes to March). Indeed, the Incarnation, is the judge, the Sign of the Cross will be in the mystery proper in this practice, inasmuch as heavens; then will those servants of the it is a devotion inspired by the Holy Ghost; 27 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 4 KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST DAYS 27-33 first to honor and imitate the ineffable THIRTY-SECOND DAY dependence which God the Son was pleased Imitation of Christ, Book 2, Chapter 7 to have on Mary, for His Father’s glory— Of Loving Jesus Above All Things and our salvation—which dependence particularly appears in this mystery where Blessed is the man who knows what it is Jesus is a captive and a slave in the bosom to love Jesus, and to despise himself for the of the divine Mary, and depends on her for sake of Jesus. You must give up all other all things. Secondly, to thank God for the love for His, since He wishes to be loved incomparable graces He has given Mary and alone above all. particularly for having chosen her to be His Love of creatures is deceiving and most holy Mother, which choice was made constantly changing, but the love of Jesus is in this mystery. These are the two principal true and permanent. If you hold on to ends of the slavery of Jesus and Mary. creatures, you will fall with them; if you Because we are living in an age of hold on to Jesus, you will remain firmly intellectual pride and there are around us planted forever. numerous, puffed-up scholars, conceited Love Him, then keep Him as a friend. with critical spirits who have plenty to say He will not leave you as others do; nor will against the best established and most solid He permit you to suffer eternal death. practices of piety, it is better for us not to Separate yourself a little from everything, give them any needless occasion of then. Cling, therefore, to Jesus in life and criticism, hence, it is better to say, we are death; trust yourself to Him alone Who can slaves of Jesus in Mary and call ourselves help you when all others fail you. slaves of Jesus Christ, rather than the slaves The nature of Christ’s love is such that it of Mary; taking the denomination of our will not admit a rival; He wants you for devotion rather from its last end, which is Himself alone. He desires to sit on the Jesus Christ, than from the means to the end, throne of your heart as King; which is His which is Mary; we may use either term right. If you only knew how to free yourself though. Another reason is that the principal of the love of creatures, how quickly would mystery we celebrate and honor in this He come into your heart! devotion is the mystery of the Incarnation wherein we can see Jesus only in Mary, and True Devotion to Mary, Nos. 257-260 incarnate in her bosom. Hence it is more to the purpose to speak of the slavery of Jesus There are also some very sanctifying in Mary, and of Jesus residing and reigning interior practices for those whom the Holy in Mary according to that beautiful prayer, Ghost calls to a high perfection. These may “O Jesus Living in Mary”, etc. be expressed in four words. To do all our Those who adopt this slavery ought to actions: by Mary, with Mary, in Mary, and have a great devotion to saying the Hail for Mary. So that we may do them all the Mary. Few Christians, however more perfectly by Jesus, with Jesus, in Jesus enlightened, know the real value, merit, and for Jesus. excellence and necessity of the Hail Mary. By Mary: We must obey her in all It was necessary for the Blessed Virgin to things, in all things conduct ourselves by her appear several times to great and spirit which is the Holy Spirit of God “those enlightened saints to show them the merit of who are led by the Spirit of God, are the it. children of God.” Those who are led by the spirit of Mary, are the children of Mary, and Now turn to page 30 for Prayers. among the clients of Mary, none is true and faithful but those who are led by her spirit. 28 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 4 KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST DAYS 27-33

Jesus has rendered Himself, so completely the Master of Mary, that He has become her True Devotion to Mary, Nos. 261-265 own spirit. A soul is happy indeed when it We must do our actions in Mary. Our is all possessed and overruled by the spirit of Blessed Lady is the true terrestrial paradise Mary, a spirit meek and strong, zealous and of the New Adam, and the ancient paradise prudent, humble and courageous, pure and was but a figure of her. In this earthly fruitful. paradise we have riches, beauties, rarities We must do our actions with Mary. We and inexplicable sweetness, which Jesus must consider in every action how Mary has Christ, the New Adam has left here; it was done it; she being in our place. For this end, in this paradise that He took His we must meditate on the great virtues which complacence for nine months, worked His she practiced during her life, first of all her wonders and displayed His riches with the lively faith, by which she believed, without magnificence of a God. It is in this earthly hesitation, the angel’s word, and believed paradise that there is the true tree of life, faithfully and constantly, up to the foot of which has borne Jesus Christ, the Fruit of the Cross. Her profound humility which Life, and the tree of knowledge of good and made her hide herself, hold her peace, evil, which has given light unto the world. submit to everything, and put herself last of there are, in this divine place, trees planted all. by the hand of God, and watered by His Now turn to page 30 for Prayers. Divine Unction, which have borne and daily bear fruit of divine taste. It is only the Holy Ghost, Who can make us know the hidden truth of these figures of material things. The THIRTY-THIRD DAY Holy Ghost, by the mouth of the Father, also Imitation of Christ, Book 4, Chapter 11 styles the Blessed Virgin, the Eastern Gate, Of The Necessity Of Communion by which the High-, Jesus Christ, enters the world, and leaves it. By it, He O sweetest, Lord Jesus, how happy is the came the first time, He will come the devout man who feasts at Your banquet, at second, by it. which there is no other food but Yourself, Finally, we must do all our actions for his only Lover, most desired of all that his Mary, we must take her for our proximate heart can desire! end, our mysterious means, and our way to How deeply I long to pour out my go to Jesus Christ. Supported by her heartfelt tears in Your presence, and like the protection we must undertake and achieve pious Magdalen, to wash Your feet with great things for Christ. We must defend her them. But where is such devotion in me, privileges, when they are disputed. We such copious shedding of holy tears? must stand up for her glory when it is Surely, in Your sight, and before Your holy attacked; we must draw all the world, if we angels, my whole heart ought to be inflamed can, to her service, and to this true and solid and weep for joy; for I have You with me devotion. We must pretend to no truly present in this Sacrament, though You recompense for our little service, except the are under another form. My eyes could not honor of belonging to so sweet a Queen, and bear to see You in Your own divine the happiness of being united through her to brightness, nor could the whole world stand Jesus, her Son, by an indissoluble tie, in in sight of the splendor of Your majesty. In time and in eternity. concealing Yourself in this Sacrament You have regard for my weakness. Now turn to page 30 for Prayers. 29 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 4 KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST DAYS 27-33

LITANY OF THE HOLY GHOST Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth. Lord, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls. Christ, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts. Lord, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Father all powerful, have mercy on us. Thy love. Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy of the world, save us. graces. Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well. life of both, sanctify us. Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly Holy Trinity, hear us. inspirations. Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation. Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary Promise of God the Father, have mercy on knowledge. us. Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us. good. Author of all good, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us. virtues. Consuming fire, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice. Ardent Charity, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward. Spiritual unction, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us. the world, send us Thy Holy Ghost. Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of mercy on us. the world, pour down into our souls the Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy gifts of the Holy Ghost. on us. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom on us. and piety. Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on V/. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of us. Thy faithful. Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us. R/. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy love. on us. Spirit of modesty and innocence, have Let us pray mercy on us. Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine us. Spirit enlighten, inflame and purify us, that Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew us. and make us fruitful in good works; through Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with have mercy on us. Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on and reigneth forever and ever. Amen. us. Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us. Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us. Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin. 30 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 4 KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST DAYS 27-33

AVE, MARIS STELLA LITANY OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS

Hail, bright star of ocean, Lord, have mercy on us. God’s own Mother blest, Christ, have mercy on us. Ever sinless Virgin, Lord, have mercy on us. Gate of heavenly rest. Jesus, hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us. Taking that sweet Ave God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. Which from Gabriel came, God the son, Redeemer of the world, have Peace confirm within us, mercy on us. Changing Eva’s name. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Break the captives’ fetters, Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on Light on blindness pour, us. All our ills expelling, Jesus, brightness of eternal light, have mercy Every bliss implore. on us. Jesus, King of glory, have mercy on us. Show thyself a Mother; Jesus, sun of justice, have mercy on us. May the Word Divine, Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy Born for us thy Infant, on us. Hear our prayers through thine. Jesus, most amiable, have mercy on us. Jesus, most admirable, have mercy on us. Virgin all excelling, Jesus, mighty God, have mercy on us. Mildest of the mild, Jesus, Father of the world to come, have Freed from guilt, preserve us, mercy on us. Pure and undefiled. Jesus, angel of the great counsel, have mercy on us. Keep our life all spotless, Jesus, most powerful, have mercy on us. Make our way secure, Jesus, most patient, have mercy on us. Till we find in Jesus Jesus, most obedient, have mercy on us. Joy forevermore. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, have mercy on us. Through the highest Heaven Jesus, lover of chastity, have mercy on us. To the Almighty Three, Jesus, lover of us, have mercy on us, Father, Son and Spirit, Jesus, God of peace, have mercy on us. One same glory be. Amen. Jesus, author of life, have mercy on us. Jesus, model of virtues, have mercy on us. Jesus, lover of souls, have mercy on us. Jesus, our God, have mercy on us. Jesus, our refuge, have mercy on us. Jesus, Father of the poor, have mercy on us. Jesus, treasure of the faithful, have mercy on us. Jesus, Good Shepherd, have mercy on us. Jesus, true light, have mercy on us. Jesus, eternal wisdom, have mercy on us. Jesus, infinite goodness, have mercy on us.

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Jesus, our way and our life, have mercy on Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of us. the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus. Jesus, joy of angels, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us. Jesus, King of patriarchs, have mercy on us. Jesus, graciously hear us. Jesus, master of Apostles, have mercy on us. Jesus, teacher of Evangelists, have mercy on Let us pray us. Jesus, strength of martyrs, have mercy on us. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said: Jesus, light of confessors, have mercy on us. Ask and ye shall receive; seek and ye shall Jesus, purity of virgins, have mercy on us. find; knock and it shall be opened unto you; Jesus, crown of all saints, have mercy on us. grant, we beseech Thee, to us who ask the Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus. gift of Thy divine love, that we may ever Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus. love Thee with all our hearts, and in all our From all evil, Jesus deliver us. words and actions, and never cease praising From all sin, Jesus deliver us. Thee. From Thy wrath, Jesus deliver us. Give us, O Lord, a perpetual fear and From the snares of the devil, Jesus deliver love of Thy holy Name; for Thou never us. failest to govern those whom Thou dost From the spirit of fornication, Jesus deliver solidly establish in Thy love. Who livest us. and reignest world without end. Amen. From everlasting death, Jesus deliver us. From the neglect of Thine inspirations, Jesus deliver us. Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, Jesus deliver us. Through Thy nativity, Jesus deliver us. Through Thine infancy, Jesus deliver us. Through Thy most divine life, Jesus deliver us. Through Thy labors, Jesus deliver us. Through Thine agony and Passion, Jesus deliver us. Through Thy cross and dereliction, Jesus deliver us. Through Thy sufferings, Jesus deliver us. Through Thy death and burial, Jesus deliver us. Through Thy Resurrection, Jesus deliver us. Through Thine Ascension, Jesus deliver us. Through Thine institution of the most Holy , Jesus deliver us. Through Thy joys, Jesus deliver us. Through Thy glory, Jesus deliver us. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Jesus.

32 of 38 Preparation for Total Consecration Part 4 KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST DAYS 27-33

ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT’S PRAYER TO JESUS O Holy Spirit, grant me all these graces. Plant in my soul the Tree of true Life, which O most loving Jesus, deign to let me is Mary; cultivate it and tend it so that it may pour forth my gratitude before Thee, for the grow and blossom and bring forth the fruit grace Thou hast bestowed upon me in giving of life in abundance. O Holy Spirit, give me me to Thy holy Mother through the devotion great devotion to Mary, Thy faithful spouse; of Holy Bondage, that she may be my give me great confidence in her maternal advocate in the presence of Thy majesty and heart and an abiding refuge in her mercy, so my support in my extreme misery. Alas, O that by her Thou mayest truly form in me Lord! I am so wretched that without this Jesus Christ, great and mighty, unto the dear Mother I should be certainly be lost. fullness of His perfect age. Amen. 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 O, JESUS LIVING IN MARY punishment of Thy justice, which I deserve; O Jesus living in Mary that she may contemplate Thee, speak to Come and live in Thy servants, Thee, pray to Thee, approach Thee and In the spirit of Thy holiness, please Thee; that she may help me to save In the fulness of Thy might, my soul and the souls hof others; in short, In the truth of Thy virtues, Mary is necessary for me that I may always In the perfection of Thy ways, do Thy holy will and seek Thy greater glory In the communion of Thy mysteries, in all things. Ah, would that I could Subdue every hostile power proclaim throughout the whole world the In Thy spirit, for the glory of the Father. mercy that Thou hast shown to me! Would Amen. 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 Savior, 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 me 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 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.

33 of 38 The Act of Total Consecration

How to Make Your Consecration

At the end of three weeks, we should go to confession and Holy Communion with the intention of giving ourselves to Jesus Christ in the quality of slaves of love, by the hands of Mary. After Communion, we should recite the consecration prayer—we ought to write it, or have it written, and sign it the same day the consecration is made. It would be well that on this day, we should pay some tribute to Jesus Christ and our Blessed Lady, either as a penance for our past unfaithfulness to the vows of Baptism, or as a testimony of dependence on the dominion of Jesus and Mary. This tribute should be one in accordance with your fervor, such as a fast, a mortification or an alms, or a candle. If but a pin is given in homage, and given with a good heart, it will be enough for Jesus, Who loves only the good will.

Once a year at least, and on the same day, we should renew this consecration, observing the same practices during the three weeks.

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Consecration to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom through the Blessed Virgin Mary

O Eternal and Incarnate Wisdom! O 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 hast 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, O , living tabernacle of the Divinity, where the Eternal Wisdom willed to be hidden and to be adored by angels and by men! Hail, O Queen of Heaven and earth, to whose empire everything is subject which is under God. Hail, O 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, N., 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 live, 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, O 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. O 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! O 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. O faithful Virgin, make me in all things so perfect a , imitator and slave of the Incarnate Wisdom, Jesus Christ thy Son, that I may attain, by thine intercession and by thine example, to the fulness of His age on earth and of His glory in Heaven. Amen.

35 of 38 of Mary, Queen of All Hearts

The feast of Saint Louis Mary De Montfort Once you have made your consecration, it is (April 28) is the second principal feast of the recommended that you join the Confraternity of Confraternity. Mary, Queen of All Hearts. Other special feasts of the Confraternity are: the (December 8), Christmas 1. Nature and purposes of the Confraternity. (December 25), the Purification (February 2), the The Confraternity of Mary, Queen of All Hearts, Visitation (July 2), the Assumption (August 15), the is a pious union of the faithful, without officers or , the feast of Our Lady of meetings. Its purpose is to help the members live and Sorrows (September 15). publicize the Marian Way of Life as the easier and more secure means to sanctify themselves. Indulgences.

2. How to join the Confraternity. 1. The members of the Confraternity may gain a “Membership in the Confraternity is acquired by plenary indulgence on the usual conditions: the day entering the applicant’s name in the official register” of their enrolment and its anniversary, the universal of any Confraternity center. (One such Confraternity feasts of Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin, the feast is directed by : The Montfort Fathers, Bay Shore, of Saint Louis Mary De Montfort, the first Saturday N.Y.) of every month. (Sacred Penitentiary, July 2, 1956).

3. Conditions for Membership. 2. They may also gain a plenary indulgence at the a. “Any Catholic, including clerics and moment of death on condition that having received religious, may become a member of the Confraternity the and Hoy Communion or, if of Mary, Queen of All Hearts. . . the members may this is impossible, being contrite of heart, they invoke assume other obligations special to their spiritual life the Sacred Name of Jesus verbally or mentally and or their apostolate. b. to their enrollment, the patiently accept death as a punishment of sin and as applicant must consecrate himself to the Blessed coming from the hand of God. Virgin, using for this purpose the consecration of St. Louis Mary De Montfort.” (Rescript, July 16, 1955). 3. The members may gain a partial indulgence each time they say with a contrite heart the invocation: “I 4. Obligations. am all Thine and all I have I give to Thee, my loving In keeping with the purpose of the Confraternity, Jesus, through Mary, Thy Most Holy Mother.” the members should enrich their lives with a Marian spirit—doing all things with Mary, through Mary, in 4. They may also gain a partial indulgence each time Mary, and for Mary. By this means, they will more they perform a work of piety or charity with a perfectly live and act with, thorough, in and for contrite heart and in the spirit of the Confraternity Christ. (Holy Office, December 18, 1913). They should renew their consecration faithfully and frequently, making a special practice of renewing If you wish to be enrolled in the Confraternity of it every morning at the beginning of each new day. Mary Queen of All Hearts, send your name and Share in Good Works. address to the nearest Confraternity or to: The members share in all the good works and prayers of the members of the and the . The Masses offered by the members of the THE MONTFORT FATHERS Company of Mary on the first Monday of every Queen of All Hearts Confraternity month for the deceased of their Congregation are Bay Shore, N.Y. 11706 applied also to the deceased members of the Confraternity.

Feasts of the Confraternity. The Annunciation (March 25) is the principal feast of the Confraternity. On this feast, there is recalled to our minds the great truth of Our Divine Lord’s Incarnation and that He came to use through Mary and willed to submit Himself to her, His Holy Mother.

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