Day 34
Day of Consecration
On the day of consecration, either fast, give alms, or offer a votive candle for the good of another (or all of the above); do some spiritual penance and approach consecration in the spirit of mortification.
Now go to Confession (or, if that is not possible, go during the 8 days prior) and then receive Communion with the intention of giving yourself to Jesus, as a slave of love, by the hands of Mary. Try to receive Communion per the method found here below:
SUPPLEMENT
THIS DEVOTION AT HOLY COMMUNION
Before Holy Communion
266. 1) Place yourself humbly in the presence of God.
2) Renounce your corrupt nature and dispositions, no matter how good self-love makes them appear to you.
3) Renew your consecration saying, "I belong entirely to you, dear Mother, and all that I have is yours."
4) Implore Mary to lend you her heart so that you may receive her Son with her dispositions. Remind her that her Son's glory requires that he should not come into a heart so sullied and fickle as your own, which could not fail to diminish his glory and might cause him to leave. Tell her that if she will take up her abode in you to receive her Son - which she can do because of the sovereignty she has over all hearts - he will be received by her in a perfect manner without danger of being affronted or being forced to depart. "God is in the midst of her. She shall not be moved."
Tell her with confidence that all you have given her of your possessions is little enough to honour her, but that in Holy Communion you wish to give her the same gifts as the eternal Father gave her. Thus she will feel more honoured than if you gave her all the wealth in the world. Tell her, finally, that Jesus, whose love for her is unique, still wishes to take his delight and his repose in her even in your soul, even though it is poorer and less clean than the stable which he readily entered because she was there. Beg her to lend you her heart, saying, "O Mary, I take you for my all; give me your heart."
During Holy Communion
267. After the Our Father, when you are about to receive our Lord, say to him three times the prayer, "Lord, I am not worthy." Say it the first time as if you were telling the eternal Father that because of your evil thoughts and your ingratitude to such a good Father, you are unworthy to receive his only-begotten Son, but that here is Mary, his handmaid, who acts for you and whose presence gives you a special confidence and hope in him.
268. Say to God the Son, "Lord, I am not worthy", meaning that you are not worthy to receive him because of your useless and evil words and your carelessness in his service, but nevertheless you ask him to have pity on you because you are going to usher him into the house of his Mother and yours, and you will not let him go until he has made it his home. Implore him to rise and come to the place of his repose and the ark of his sanctification. Tell him that you have no faith in your own merits, strength and preparedness, like Esau, but only in Mary, your Mother, just as Jacob had trust in Rebecca his mother. Tell him that although you are a great sinner you still presume to approach him, supported by his holy Mother and adorned with her merits and virtues.
269. Say to the Holy Spirit, "Lord, I am not worthy". Tell him that you are not worthy to receive the masterpiece of his love because of your lukewarmness, wickedness and resistance to his inspirations. But, nonetheless, you put all your confidence in Mary, his faithful Spouse, and say with St. Bernard, "She is my greatest safeguard, the whole foundation of my hope." Beg him to overshadow Mary, his inseparable Spouse, once again. Her womb is as pure and her heart as ardent as ever. Tell him that if he does not enter your soul neither Jesus nor Mary will be formed there nor will it be a worthy dwelling for them.
273. There are innumerable other thoughts with which the Holy Spirit will inspire you, which he will
make yours if you are thoroughly recollected and mortified, and constantly faithful to the great and sublime
devotion which I have been teaching you. But remember, the more you let Mary act in your Communion the
more Jesus will be glorified. The more you humble yourself and listen to Jesus and Mary in peace and
silence - with no desire to see, taste or feel - then the more freedom you will give to Mary to act in Jesus'
name and the more Jesus will act in Mary. For the just man lives everywhere by faith, but especially in Holy
Communion, which is an action of faith.
Now pray the words of the consecration. Copy them and have them with you at church, read them after the Mass (in front of the tabernacle would be nice), and sign your copy of the Act of Consecration.
Day of Consecration
On the day of consecration, either fast, give alms, or offer a votive candle for the good of another (or all of the above); do some spiritual penance and approach consecration in the spirit of mortification.
Now go to Confession (or, if that is not possible, go during the 8 days prior) and then receive Communion with the intention of giving yourself to Jesus, as a slave of love, by the hands of Mary. Try to receive Communion per the method found here below:
SUPPLEMENT
THIS DEVOTION AT HOLY COMMUNION
Before Holy Communion
266. 1) Place yourself humbly in the presence of God.
2) Renounce your corrupt nature and dispositions, no matter how good self-love makes them appear to you.
3) Renew your consecration saying, "I belong entirely to you, dear Mother, and all that I have is yours."
4) Implore Mary to lend you her heart so that you may receive her Son with her dispositions. Remind her that her Son's glory requires that he should not come into a heart so sullied and fickle as your own, which could not fail to diminish his glory and might cause him to leave. Tell her that if she will take up her abode in you to receive her Son - which she can do because of the sovereignty she has over all hearts - he will be received by her in a perfect manner without danger of being affronted or being forced to depart. "God is in the midst of her. She shall not be moved."
Tell her with confidence that all you have given her of your possessions is little enough to honour her, but that in Holy Communion you wish to give her the same gifts as the eternal Father gave her. Thus she will feel more honoured than if you gave her all the wealth in the world. Tell her, finally, that Jesus, whose love for her is unique, still wishes to take his delight and his repose in her even in your soul, even though it is poorer and less clean than the stable which he readily entered because she was there. Beg her to lend you her heart, saying, "O Mary, I take you for my all; give me your heart."
During Holy Communion
267. After the Our Father, when you are about to receive our Lord, say to him three times the prayer, "Lord, I am not worthy." Say it the first time as if you were telling the eternal Father that because of your evil thoughts and your ingratitude to such a good Father, you are unworthy to receive his only-begotten Son, but that here is Mary, his handmaid, who acts for you and whose presence gives you a special confidence and hope in him.
268. Say to God the Son, "Lord, I am not worthy", meaning that you are not worthy to receive him because of your useless and evil words and your carelessness in his service, but nevertheless you ask him to have pity on you because you are going to usher him into the house of his Mother and yours, and you will not let him go until he has made it his home. Implore him to rise and come to the place of his repose and the ark of his sanctification. Tell him that you have no faith in your own merits, strength and preparedness, like Esau, but only in Mary, your Mother, just as Jacob had trust in Rebecca his mother. Tell him that although you are a great sinner you still presume to approach him, supported by his holy Mother and adorned with her merits and virtues.
269. Say to the Holy Spirit, "Lord, I am not worthy". Tell him that you are not worthy to receive the masterpiece of his love because of your lukewarmness, wickedness and resistance to his inspirations. But, nonetheless, you put all your confidence in Mary, his faithful Spouse, and say with St. Bernard, "She is my greatest safeguard, the whole foundation of my hope." Beg him to overshadow Mary, his inseparable Spouse, once again. Her womb is as pure and her heart as ardent as ever. Tell him that if he does not enter your soul neither Jesus nor Mary will be formed there nor will it be a worthy dwelling for them.
After Holy Communion
270. After Holy Communion, close your eyes and recollect yourself. Then usher Jesus into the heart of Mary: you are giving him to his Mother who will receive him with great love and give him the place of honour, adore him profoundly, show him perfect love, embrace him intimately in spirit and in truth, and perform many offices for him of which we, in our ignorance, would know nothing.
271. Or, maintain a profoundly humble heart in the presence of Jesus dwelling in Mary. Or be in attendance like a slave at the gate of the royal palace, where the King is speaking with the Queen. While they are talking to each other, with no need of you, go in spirit to heaven and to the whole world, and call upon all creatures to thank, adore and love Jesus and Mary for you. "Come, let us adore."
272. Or, ask Jesus living in Mary that his kingdom may come upon earth through his holy Mother. Ask for divine Wisdom, divine love, the forgiveness of your sins, or any other grace, but always through Mary and in Mary. Cast a look of reproach upon yourself and say, "Lord, do not look at my sins, let your eyes see nothing in me but the virtues and merits of Mary." Remembering your sins, you may add, "I am my own worst enemy and I am guilty of all these sins." Or, "Deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man." Or again, "Dear Jesus, you must increase in my soul and I must decrease." "Mary, you must increase in me and I must always go on decreasing." "O Jesus and Mary, increase in me and increase in others around me."
270. After Holy Communion, close your eyes and recollect yourself. Then usher Jesus into the heart of Mary: you are giving him to his Mother who will receive him with great love and give him the place of honour, adore him profoundly, show him perfect love, embrace him intimately in spirit and in truth, and perform many offices for him of which we, in our ignorance, would know nothing.
271. Or, maintain a profoundly humble heart in the presence of Jesus dwelling in Mary. Or be in attendance like a slave at the gate of the royal palace, where the King is speaking with the Queen. While they are talking to each other, with no need of you, go in spirit to heaven and to the whole world, and call upon all creatures to thank, adore and love Jesus and Mary for you. "Come, let us adore."
272. Or, ask Jesus living in Mary that his kingdom may come upon earth through his holy Mother. Ask for divine Wisdom, divine love, the forgiveness of your sins, or any other grace, but always through Mary and in Mary. Cast a look of reproach upon yourself and say, "Lord, do not look at my sins, let your eyes see nothing in me but the virtues and merits of Mary." Remembering your sins, you may add, "I am my own worst enemy and I am guilty of all these sins." Or, "Deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man." Or again, "Dear Jesus, you must increase in my soul and I must decrease." "Mary, you must increase in me and I must always go on decreasing." "O Jesus and Mary, increase in me and increase in others around me."
Now pray the words of the consecration. Copy them and have them with you at church, read them after the Mass (in front of the tabernacle would be nice), and sign your copy of the Act of Consecration.
The words of consecration according to St. Louis de Montfort are:
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 immaculate Mary, 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 life, 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 disciple, imitator and slave of the Incarnate Wisdom, Jesus Christ thy Son, that I may attain, by thine intercession and by thine example, to the fullness of His age on earth and of His glory in Heaven. Amen.
------------------------------- Sign your name here.
------------------- Date
***Or you may wish to use Fr. Gaitley's consecration prayer instead or create your own
Fr. Gaitley's Consecration prayer
CLICK HERE for podcast
or Use St. Maximilian Kolbe's Consecration formula/ prayer:
St. Maximilian had no set formula or stipulations on how to make our Total consecration. As he states in the letter above, simply saying "Mary" can be an act of consecration...
But, here are some ideas to utilize today, if you able:
THE KNIGHTS AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS (KFC) is an
outreach within the MI movement, comprised of Catholics afflicted by the
cross of suffering - physical, spiritual or emotional. As MI members,
KFCs consecrate themselves to Mary. As did Mary at the Cross of her Son,
they also participate in "redemptive suffering" (also called
sacrificial or reparational suffering). This means they offer some of
their daily prayers and trials to Jesus and Mary, who apply these gifts
where grace is needed most, such as to convert hearts and save souls, to
make amends for the sins of others, and ultimately to bring about the
reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Sensing a good idea, the friars asked, "Why not harvest the immense reparational potential within the suffering MI community at large?" Thus a spiritual vanguard was formed: individuals no longer isolated or frustrated in sickness or agedness, working in solidarity for the conversion of the entire world. The very first Knight at the Foot of the Cross was Fr. Simeon Kaczmarek, OFM CONV. Bedridden for two years with cancer, Father offered his pain and prayers for the KFC cause while it was still being organized.
The Church has always taught that physical pain, mental distress, even minor annoyances, are not meaningless but are meant to be put to valuable use. As Jesus used the anguish of his Passion and the agony of Calvary to accomplish our salvation, so do our sufferings have supernatural value when joined to His Cross. By willingly accepting our struggles and presenting them back to God as a "burnt offering” for the intentions of others, we cooperate with Christ and become real participators in the mystery of his saving act.
St. Maximilian Kolbe also is a model of reparational suffering. Imprisoned at the Auschwitz death camp, Maximilian "emptied himself" for the Gospel (Phil 2:7). He shared his meager food and water with fellow prisoners while tending to their spiritual needs. He persevered in charity toward his Nazi captors though they singled him out for special brutalities as a Catholic priest. He willingly endured the torture of the starvation bunker by taking the place of another prisoner. In this way, Maximilian became "another Christ," laying down his life for another.
According to St. John Paul II, St. Maximilian's holy example has made him a sign and a prophet of the new era, the civilization of love."
In a vision, Mary stood on a globe with brilliant light streaming from her jeweled fingers. "Behold the symbol of graces shed upon those who ask for them," she said, representing herself as Mediatrix of All Graces. Surrounding her a banner read, "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you," symbolizing her Immaculate Conception. The vision reversed, showing the letter "M" entwined with a cross above the Sacred Hearts. This image represents Mary as Co-redemptrix, a unique participator in Jesus' saving act of redemption.
Millions of medals have been distributed and untold graces given "to those who wear it around the neck" as the Virgin promised to St. Catherine.
I compiled much of today's post from these sources:
http://missionimmaculata.com/index.php/marian-spirituality-consecration/how-to-make-your-consecration-to-mary
http://missionimmaculata.com/index.php
http://missionimmaculata.com/images/Documents/St-Maximilian-Kolbe-Novena-Militia-of-the-Immaculata-USA.pdf
https://saintmaximiliankolbe.com/distinctivefeatures/
https://saintmaximiliankolbe.com/faqs/
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 immaculate Mary, 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 life, 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 disciple, imitator and slave of the Incarnate Wisdom, Jesus Christ thy Son, that I may attain, by thine intercession and by thine example, to the fullness of His age on earth and of His glory in Heaven. Amen.
------------------------------- Sign your name here.
------------------- Date
***Or you may wish to use Fr. Gaitley's consecration prayer instead or create your own
Fr. Gaitley's Consecration prayer
Consecration Day
I, (your name), a repentant sinner,
renew and ratify today in your hands, O Immaculate Mother, the vows of
my baptism. I renounce Satan and resolve to follow Jesus Christ even
more closely than before.
Mary, I give you my heart. Please set
it on fire with love for Jesus. Make it always attentive to his burning
thirst for love and for souls. Keep my heart in your most pure heart
that I may love Jesus and the members of his body with your own perfect
love.
Mary, I entrust myself totally to you:
my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the
value of all my good actions. Please make of me, of all that I am and
have, whatever most pleases you. Let me be a fit instrument in your
immaculate and merciful hands for bringing the greatest possible glory
to God. If I fall, please lead me back to Jesus. Wash me in the blood
and water that flow from his pierced side, and help me never to lose my
trust in this fountain of love and mercy.
With you, O Immaculate Mother,-you who
always do the will of God-I unite myself to the perfect consecration of
Jesus as he offers himself in the Spirit to the Father for the life of
the world. Amen.
CLICK HERE for podcast
or Use St. Maximilian Kolbe's Consecration formula/ prayer:
St. Maximilian had no set formula or stipulations on how to make our Total consecration. As he states in the letter above, simply saying "Mary" can be an act of consecration...
But, here are some ideas to utilize today, if you able:
***If you'd like to become a member of the worldwide Militia Immaculata that St. Maximilian Kolbe began, you enroll online at missionimmaculata.com
On Our Consecration Day:- Recite the official act of consecration composed by St. Maximilian and give yourself wholeheartedly to Our Lady so as to let the Holy Spirit guide you on the path to holiness with her!
- Gain A PLENARY INDULGENCE - the complete remission of
temporal punishment in purgatory due to sin. (This special grace was bestowed by Pope Pius XI in 1926 upon joining the MI): To receive the indulgence, you must:
- Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the consecration day or within the eight days before (or after).
- Attend Mass and receive Holy Communion
- Pray an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for the intentions of the Holy Father, and
- Renounce all attachment to sin, even venial sin, on your enrollment date. By renouncing all attachment to sin you will be making an effort to remove all obstacles to Our Lady making you her own in the Holy Spirit.
- Ask Our Lady and St. Maximilian to show you how you can best serve the Lord from this moment on.
- Enroll in the Militia Immaculata online at: missionimmaculata.com (When clicking on the link above to enroll in the Militia Immaculata, it gives you the option to also enroll as a Knight at the Foot of the Cross. See more information about this apostolate of redemptive suffering at the end of the article.
- Wear the Miraculous Medal and recite it's prayer. "Hearing of the miraculous conversion of the agnostic Alphonse Ratisbonne through the medal, St. Maximilian made wearing it and giving it away an integral part of his movement. He called the Miraculous Medal "a 'bullet' with which the faithful soldier hits the enemy, that is evil, and thus rescues souls."(Those who join the MI movement receive a complimentary medal from the National Center along with a membership certificate).
- Pray the Rosary faithfully.
THE PRAYERS:
Daily Miraculous Medal Prayer
O MARY, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of the Church and those recommended to you.
Ml Prayer of Marian Consecration
(Composed by St. Maximilian Kolbe)
O IMMACULATA, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you. I, (name), a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet, humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases you.
If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: "She will crush your head," and "You alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world." Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever you enter you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
V. Allow me to praise you, O Sacred Virgin
R. Give me strength against your enemies.
***IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONSECRATE YOUR SUFFERING... SEE HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION:
THE KNIGHTS AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS (KFC) is an
outreach within the MI movement, comprised of Catholics afflicted by the
cross of suffering - physical, spiritual or emotional. As MI members,
KFCs consecrate themselves to Mary. As did Mary at the Cross of her Son,
they also participate in "redemptive suffering" (also called
sacrificial or reparational suffering). This means they offer some of
their daily prayers and trials to Jesus and Mary, who apply these gifts
where grace is needed most, such as to convert hearts and save souls, to
make amends for the sins of others, and ultimately to bring about the
reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
KFCs especially offer up their difficulties for the success of the
Ml. They thus become a special core group or vanguard within the
movement. Though often unable to actively evangelize because of
infirmity, nonetheless KFCs generate untold graces as they link their
sufferings with those of Christ. Through the intercession of Mary, they
offer up all to the Father as a "sacrifice of praise.”
Supernaturally, KFCs are perhaps the most important members of the MI - a spiritual powerhouse.
How was the KFC Started?
ENVISIONED EARLlER in the writings of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the KFC was founded May 31, 1983. On the feast of Mary's Visitation, six teenaged and sick Conventual Franciscan friars, all MI members, decided to make use of their ailments and encourage others to do the same.Sensing a good idea, the friars asked, "Why not harvest the immense reparational potential within the suffering MI community at large?" Thus a spiritual vanguard was formed: individuals no longer isolated or frustrated in sickness or agedness, working in solidarity for the conversion of the entire world. The very first Knight at the Foot of the Cross was Fr. Simeon Kaczmarek, OFM CONV. Bedridden for two years with cancer, Father offered his pain and prayers for the KFC cause while it was still being organized.
Theology of Redemptive Suffering
SACRIFICIAL SUFFERING is a rich Christian faith expression, modeled after Christ himself It is a partial answer to the age-old question, “Why does God allow human suffering?”The Church has always taught that physical pain, mental distress, even minor annoyances, are not meaningless but are meant to be put to valuable use. As Jesus used the anguish of his Passion and the agony of Calvary to accomplish our salvation, so do our sufferings have supernatural value when joined to His Cross. By willingly accepting our struggles and presenting them back to God as a "burnt offering” for the intentions of others, we cooperate with Christ and become real participators in the mystery of his saving act.
Mary and Maximilian: Models of Reparational Suffering
Mary Immaculate is a special model of reparational suffering. Standing at the Cross in interior distress, her soul "pierced by a sword" (Lk 2:35), she offered all to the Father in a silent, "Thy will be done." She invites us, and strengthens us, to do the same through our MI consecration as a KFC.St. Maximilian Kolbe also is a model of reparational suffering. Imprisoned at the Auschwitz death camp, Maximilian "emptied himself" for the Gospel (Phil 2:7). He shared his meager food and water with fellow prisoners while tending to their spiritual needs. He persevered in charity toward his Nazi captors though they singled him out for special brutalities as a Catholic priest. He willingly endured the torture of the starvation bunker by taking the place of another prisoner. In this way, Maximilian became "another Christ," laying down his life for another.
According to St. John Paul II, St. Maximilian's holy example has made him a sign and a prophet of the new era, the civilization of love."
Knights at the Foot of the Cross Consecration Prayer
O IMMACULATA, queen of heaven and earth, health of the sick, and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you. You stood at the foot of the Cross, uniting your self with the sufferings of Jesus, and so you became for all the Church a model of compassion.Prayer of KFC Consecration Daily Renewal Prayer
I, (name), a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet, humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my daily sufferings and crosses, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases you.
If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: "She will crush your head, and "You alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world." Through my prayers and sufferings, let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help, to extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever you enter you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus
V. Allow me to praise you, 0 Sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against your enemies
THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL owes its origins to the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the chapel of the Rue du Bac, Paris, in 1830. She appeared to Catherine of Laboiuré, showing the young nun and future canonized saint the design of a medal that serves as a mini-catechism of the Church's teaching on Our Lady.
IMMACULATA, Mother of the Church, I renew my self-consecration to you as a "Knight at the Foot of the Cross." I desire to magnify the Lord with you this day in a special way by offering you my sufferings. Joined with you in faith at the foot of Christ's Cross, may I ever be an unselfish instrument for the spread of the Militia of the Immaculata movement and the growth of the Church. Amen.
O MARY conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.
In a vision, Mary stood on a globe with brilliant light streaming from her jeweled fingers. "Behold the symbol of graces shed upon those who ask for them," she said, representing herself as Mediatrix of All Graces. Surrounding her a banner read, "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you," symbolizing her Immaculate Conception. The vision reversed, showing the letter "M" entwined with a cross above the Sacred Hearts. This image represents Mary as Co-redemptrix, a unique participator in Jesus' saving act of redemption.
Millions of medals have been distributed and untold graces given "to those who wear it around the neck" as the Virgin promised to St. Catherine.
I compiled much of today's post from these sources:
http://missionimmaculata.com/index.php/marian-spirituality-consecration/how-to-make-your-consecration-to-mary
http://missionimmaculata.com/index.php
http://missionimmaculata.com/images/Documents/St-Maximilian-Kolbe-Novena-Militia-of-the-Immaculata-USA.pdf
https://saintmaximiliankolbe.com/distinctivefeatures/
https://saintmaximiliankolbe.com/faqs/
After Consecration
Consider imitating Pope John Paul II,
who renewed his consecration daily by reciting this portion of the
consecration prayer each day:
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 life, 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.
Once you have consecrated yourself to Jesus through Mary, live that consecration.
St. Louis-Marie de Montfort recommended the following:
Consider imitating Pope John Paul II,
who renewed his consecration daily by reciting this portion of the
consecration prayer each day:
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 life, 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.
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 life, 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.
Once you have consecrated yourself to Jesus through Mary, live that consecration.
St. Louis-Marie de Montfort recommended the following:
- Keep praying to develop a "great contempt" for the spirit of this world
- Maintain a special devotion to the Mystery of the Incarnation (e.g., through meditation; spiritual reading; focusing on Feasts centering around the Incarnation, such as the Annunciation and the Nativity, etc.)
- Frequently recite the Ave, Rosary, and the Magnificat
- Recite, every day if it is not inconvenient, the "Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin" -- a series of Paters, Aves, and Glorias -- one Ave for each star in the Virgin's Crown. St. Louis has a special way of praying the Little Crown, which is recommended.
- Do everything through, with, in and for Mary for the sake of Jesus, with the prayer, "I am all thine Immaculate One, with all that I have: in time and in eternity" in your heart and on your lips
- Associate yourself with Mary in a special way before, during, and after Communion (see Supplement of the book, "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary" above)
- Wear a little iron chain (around the neck, arm, waist, or ankle) as an outward sign and reminder of holy slavery. This practice is optional, but very recommended by St. Louis. The appearance of this chain is not further specified.
- Renew the consecration once a year on the same date chosen above, and by following the same 33-day period of exercises. If desired, also renew the consecration monthly with the prayer, "I am all thine and all I have is thine, O dear Jesus, through Mary, Thy holy Mother."
- Optional: Join the Confraternity of Mary, Queen of All Hearts.
Their address:
Director, Confraternity of Mary Queen of All Hearts
26 South Saxon Avenue
Bay Shore, NY 11706
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