Saturday, November 6, 2010

The twelve preliminary days

Yesterday was Day One in the 40 Day Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary For Families (I've talked about this apostolate before).  Our aim is to renew our Consecration once per year and so, this begins our next family journey.

I'm always amazed at how quickly the words of St. Louis de Monfort or of Pope John Paul II can cut to the core of my soul.  These are the words I read yesterday in the very first meditation:

"Ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to break with everything that displeases God and to become a person for others in imitation of the Holy Family.  As disciples of Christ we must struggle against the world, the flesh and the devil.  The world has a very strong attraction."  And further:

"You can easily test yourself to see where your heart is by examining your small talk and conversations--are they constantly going to money, sports, or other things that are not drawing you into God's presence?  There is nothing wrong with money, spots, or the appreciation of nice things and the beauty of the world, but if these possess us so that we do not develop an interior life and a relationship with God, then they are working against us."

Gulp! (Clears throat and scratches head!)

Please pray for me as I renew my Consecration.  I can see that this is going to be a time of cleansing and penance that is much needed.

Come Holy Spirit, please awaken us to all you have in mind for us during these days of renewal and help us to let go of all sin, of the "spirit of the world," and of all else that leads to sin so that we can truly live this Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary in union with St. Joseph.

Totus Tuus!

9 comments:

Frizzy said...

Thank you for sharing Nancy. It's always fun to learn something new or refresh. I find I need to spend more time in the word. So guilty about this.

Mary N. said...

Gulp is right! It has occurred to me that maybe I should simply keep my mouth shut so my secrets won't leak out ;)
I will keep your family in my prayers, Nancy.

Mary N. said...

Gulp is right! It has occurred to me that maybe I should simply keep my mouth shut so my secrets won't leak out ;)
I will keep your family in my prayers, Nancy.

Sarah Oldham said...

Every year I renew my consecration as well . . . and every year there is something that the Holy Spirit cleanses me of . . . it's a beautiful process. I mourn the fact that I am only a shadow of what God has made me for . . . but I long with all my heart to be the fulfillment of His plans for me. SO, my mourning is turned to joy. . . in that He is my HOPE and JOY! I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.
And, this is His promise for you, too.
God bless you on your journey. May the Holy Spirit fill you and illumine the goodness and eradicate the things that need to be eradicated. He will do a good work in you.

aspiring... said...

Praying for you as you prepare to renew your consecration...

Abbey's Road said...

I was led here by the Holy Spirit, and the message is very timely. What joy I have in my faith when I see it working!

Bless you for writing this,
Abbey

Just Be Real said...

Nancy appreciate you sharing on this on your post. Blessings.

Kim said...

Nancy, what resource do you use for this renewal of your consecration each year? I'm hoping to have our family go through the consecration and have St. Louis de Monfort's book Consecration to Mary, and I love that you renew it each year!

Nancy said...

Thank you all for your prayers! This is a very special time and I enjoy sharing about it (when I can find the time to actually type a post!)
Kim...Here is the link to the site I use for a resource...
http://www.familyland.org/content/Content.aspx?CategoryID=652
and here is the book we use...
http://www.familyland.org/FLStore/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=11665