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Catholics consecrate lives to Mary
By Andrew Junker, The Catholic Sun
October 19, 2006
Daily Mass, scriptural study or frequent visits to the adoration chapel are just a few of the opportunities available to Catholics wanting to deepen their faith life.
The goal: to lead a more Christ-centered life.
This fall, a group of men and women hope to grow in devotion to Christ by consecrating their lives totally to the Virgin Mary, according to the method devised by St. Louis de Montfort in the 18th century.
Fr. Steve Kunkel will celebrate a Mass for those consecrating themselves to Mary at Christ the King Parish in Mesa Dec. 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
“Jesus used Mary to come to Earth. What better way for us to get to Heaven than through her?” asked Debby Engard, who has promoted the “Total Consecration to Mary” for the past eight years.
She described the consecration as a renewal of baptismal promises.
“It’s a deeper commitment and a fuller understanding of that commitment lived with the help of Mary,” she said.
Preparing for the consecration takes place over 33 days. A book written by St. Louis de Montfort leads the reader through prayers and different meditations on the Scriptures throughout the process.
The meditations foster honest reflections first on the self, then on Mary, culminating with a greater understanding of Jesus.
“There is this intimate union that Mary as a creature has with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So in becoming like her, we become more like her Son,” said Deacon Tom Bills, a parishioner at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish.
At the end of the preparation period, those who finished the book promise to offer all their joys and sorrows to Mary. Many also try to attend daily Mass and pray the rosary frequently, but, Engard said, the consecration does not focus on requiring specific prayers.
“The message isn’t just to pray the rosary, the message is simply to pray, to make a sacrifice of your daily duties. All Mary asks is that when we get up in the morning we say, ‘I offer you all my ups and downs of the day,’” she said.
“When you start preparing for the consecration, you might think you’re doing it to know Mary more, and you end up having the fullness of Jesus within you,” Engard said.
“Mary doesn’t take anything. She reflects totally Jesus back,” she said. Engard added that more and more Catholics are participating in this old devotion.
She attributed the renewed interest to Pope John Paul II’s example of Marian devotion. His motto, Totus Tuus, was directed to Mary and means “totally yours.”
Deacon Bills became interested in the total consecration to Mary when John Paul II canonized Maximilian Kolbe, who studied and expounded upon St. Louis de Montfort’s method.
“St. Maximilian Kolbe expanded the dimension of this devotion that it should take on an evangelical twist,” he said. “We are meant to spread this devotion by any legitimate means possible.”
One way Deacon Bills spreads the devotion is by offering classes on total consecration. Though classes are not necessarily a part of the preparation process, Engard said they can help overcome discouragement.
Engard said that preparing in a group will “build you up to continue on the journey. It’s a way of building family and community.”
Deacon Bills said the devotion emphasizes the familial aspect of the Church.
“This family has a mom,” he said. “She tends to bring order to the family, whether it’s the individual family or the family called the Church.”
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Andrew Junker/CATHOLIC SUN
Debby Engard hopes to help others gain a Chris-centered life through promoting devotions to the “Total Consecration to Mary” throughout the diocese.
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