faithbook

33 Days to Morning Glory

A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration

Michael E. Gaitley, MIC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I wrote this book for one main reason: Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary (Marian Consecration) truly is “the surest, easiest, shortest, and the most perfect means” to becoming a saint, and there should be an easy and updated way to dive in to such a blessing.

Introduction
How the retreat works?
Introduction to Marian consecration
What is Marian consecration
WEEK ONE - St. Louis de Montfort This week, we’ll focus on the example and words of the first great prophet of Marian consecration. We’ll begin by learning about his life, and then we’ll ponder the essential of his Marian teaching. [Please note: We do not have space to cover every essential element of de Montfort’s teaching. Omitted elements will be covered in later weeks.]
Day 1 - The Passionate Saint of Britanny
Day 2 - St. Louis's Influence on the Church
Day 3 - De Montfort's Consecration (Part One)
Day 4 - De Montfort's Consecration (Part Two)
Day 5 - Should We Really Give Mary Everything? (Part One)
Day 6 - Should We Really Give Mary Everything? (Part Two)
Day 7 - A Quick, Easy, and Secure Way to Holiness
WEEK TWO - St. Maximilian Kolbe This week, we’ll focus on the example and words of the 20th century apostle of Marian consecration, St. Maximilian Kolbe. Kolbe knew well de Montfort’s Marian teaching and spoke enthusiastically about it. In formulating his own expression of true devotion to Mary, he not only deepens several of de Montfort’s insights but added many new ideas from his own contemplation of the mystery of Mary. Before we turn to his Marian teaching, let’s first get to know the man.
Day 8 - Who are you, St. Maximilian Kolbe?
Day 9 - Who are you, O Immaculate Conception? (Part One)
Day 10 - Who are you, O Immaculate Conception (Part Two)
Day 11 - The Immaculata Always Does God's Will, Perfectly
Day 12 - Who are you, O Holy Spirit of God?
Day 13 - To be an Instrument - Rather, to be Instruments
Day 14 - Kolbe's Prayer of Consecration
WEEK THREE - St. Mother Teresa This week, we’ll focus on the example and words of a third great teacher of Marian consecration: Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She’s notable for the way she puts Marian consecration into context. In other words, while de Montfort and Kolbe give us the main details of Marian consecration, Mother Teresa helps us to see it more fully within the big picture of a most intimate relationship with Christ. Although we won’t immediately begin reflections on her devotion to Mary, we’ll get to them soon enough.
Day 15 - Who are you, St. Maximilian Kolbe?
Day 16 - Who are you, O Immaculate Conception? (Part One)
Day 17 - Who are you, O Immaculate Conception (Part Two)
Day 18 - The Immaculata Always Does God's Will, Perfectly
Day 19 - Who are you, O Holy Spirit of God?
Day 20 - To be an Instrument - Rather, to be Instruments
Day 21 - Kolbe's Prayer of Consecration
WEEK FOUR - St. John Paul II During this fourth and final full week, we’ll be focusing on the example and words of another great teacher of Marian consecration: St. John Paul II. “The most Marian Pope,” as he’s been called, profoundly deepened the Church’s understanding of Marian consecration. Building on the work of the Second Vatican Council, he provides us with a thoroughly biblical treatment of Marian consecration - which he also calls “entrustment” - and homes in on the idea that it’s Mary’s role to lead us in to the mystery of Christ’s redeeming love and self-consecration to the Father.
Day 22 - Who are you, St. Maximilian Kolbe?
Day 23 - Who are you, O Immaculate Conception? (Part One)
Day 24 - Who are you, O Immaculate Conception (Part Two)
Day 25 - The Immaculata Always Does God's Will, Perfectly
Day 26 - Who are you, O Holy Spirit of God?
Day 27 - To be an Instrument - Rather, to be Instruments
Day 28 - Kolbe's Prayer of Consecration
Final Five Days - Synthesis and Review For four weeks, we’ve been reflecting on that Marian consecration is all about - and we’ve covered a lot of material. While our prayer program of daily pondering the text has helped us digest some of the information, we can still go deeper. To do this, we need what Pope John Paul calls Mary’s “wise capacity for remembering and embracing in a single gaze of faith.” We can develop this “wise capacity” by continuing what we’ve been doing all along, namely, pondering in our hearts (see Lk 2:19), but now with a more refined focus.
Day 29 - St. Louis de Montfort
Day 30 - St. Maximilian Kolbe
Day 31 - St. Mother Teresa
Day 32 - St. John Paul II
Day 33 - Putting It All Together
Day of Consecration
After Consecration

How the retreat works