Consecration and Entrustment to Mary
Consecration and entrustment to Mary For centuries, Marian devotions among Roman Catholics have included many examples of personal or collective acts of consecration and entrustment to the Virgin Mary, with the Latin terms oblatio, servitus, commendatio and dedicatio having been used in this context.[2] Consecration is an act by which a person is dedicated to a sacred service, or an act which separates an object, location or region from a common and profane mode to one for sacred use.[3] The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments clarifies that in this context, "It should be recalled, however, that the term "consecration" is used here in a broad and non-technical sense: the expression is use of 'consecrating children to Our Lady', by which is intended placing children under her protection and asking her maternal blessing for them".[2] Consecration to the Virgin Mary by Roman Catholics has taken place from three perspectives, namely personal, societal and regional; and generally in three forms: to the Virgin herself, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and to the Immaculata. In Catholic teachings, consecration to Mary does not diminish or substitute the love of God, but enhances it, for all consecration is ultimately made to God.[4] Pope Leo XIII, specially encouraged everyone to make acts of consecration to the Virgin Mary based on the methods of Saint Louis de Montfort. Pope Benedict XV also provided The Blessed Virgin Mary as the strong support for Marian consecration. Virgin of Mercy venerated as The Virgin of the Navigators, 1531–36, Early in the 20th century, Saint Maximilian Kolbe, called the "Apostle of with her protective mantle covering Consecration to Mary", began a vigorous program of promoting consecration to the those entrusted to her.[1] Immaculata.[5] Theologian Garrigou-Lagrange designated personal consecration to Mary as the highest level amongMarian devotions.
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