Catholic Devotionals

To consecrate is to set aside for a holy purpose. Total Consecration is the complete giving of oneself to Jesus through Mary in imitation of Our Lord. It is an act that is entirely dependent on the free will of the individual. It is a choice that one makes at a point in one’s life based on one’s experience of God’s love. In fact, to consecrate is an appreciation of God’s love; a reciprocation of His love as far as humanly possible. It was His love that prompted Him to create man in His own image, out of nothing and of His own freewill, the same love which made Him to die to redeem man, this same love has made Him a prisoner in all the tabernacles of the world and in our hearts, where He awaits to nourish and transform us through His real presence in the Holy Eucharist.

Total Consecration was formalized by St. Louis Maria De Montfort in the early 1700s. After his experience of God’s love, he sought the best way to thank God and found that imitating the entire life of Our Lord was the best means. In essence, becoming another Jesus; from His conception, his hidden life, through His death, resurrection, and ascension. In fact, he saw that Our Lord came to teach us to live like Him as a perfect means to give glory to the Eternal Father. Thus, He said, “Learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls…” (Matthew 11: 29). Rest for our souls is God’s chief priority.

In the entire life of Our Lord, Our Lady was at the center. For it was she who conceived Him, bore Him, nourished Him, reared Him and sacrificed Him for our salvation. Thus, De Montfort called this consecration a “True Devotion to Mary.” Our Lord was so devoted to His Mother, Mary, that they formed a bond. De Montfort referring to this bond said it would be easier to separate heat from fire than to separate Jesus from Mary.

This consecration takes place on a specific day, but the preparatory exercise is for 33 days. De Montfort made it 33 days to show the years Our Lord spent on earth with Mary and to emphasize that we are to grow into the “fullness of the perfect age of Our Lord.”

There are three categories of souls who make this consecration: First, those who understand the importance of true devotion to Mary and see De Montfort’s preparatory exercise as a means to purify and attain the proper disposition necessary for consecrating to Jesus through Mary. The second are those who learn true devotion to Mary by joining the preparatory exercise and through the grace of God and their necessary sacrifices, they are able to attain that disposition. The others attain that disposition after participation in two or more preparatory exercises and then decide to freely give themselves in consecration to Mary.

The disposition necessary for this consecration is that of humility. It is a state in which one sees everything as a special gift from God and oneself as deserving nothing. De Montfort calls it a state of Holy Slavery. The image that portrays this devotion is that of Jesus in the womb of Mary. After the annunciation, He became utterly dependent on her for everything. Another image used by De Montfort is that of Mary as the mold of God. He said that in order to mold man into God, he has to allow himself to be molten and poured into Mary (the mold).

To attain this disposition, one needs prayer and spiritual exercises. To help facilitate the understanding of the devotion and the acquiring of the necessary disposition, it is recommended to read and study these two books written by De Montfort: first, “Secret of Mary” and second, “True Devotion to Mary.”

Compiled by Legion of Mary, Regina Caeli Parish — Houston, TX

The Consecration to St. Joseph is a spiritual act of dedicating oneself entirely to Jesus through the guidance and protection of St. Joseph, the foster father of Christ, inspired by the writings of figures like Fr. Donald Calloway in his book Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father. Rooted in St. Joseph’s unique role as the chaste guardian of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus, this consecration invites the faithful to entrust themselves to his paternal care, imitating his virtues of humility, obedience, and silent strength. The devotion reflects a response to God’s love, manifested in Joseph’s unwavering fidelity to God’s plan, protecting the Holy Family and providing for their needs. By consecrating oneself to St. Joseph, one seeks to emulate his total surrender to God’s will, becoming a faithful disciple of Christ under Joseph’s fatherly guidance, much as Jesus was obedient to him in Nazareth.

The consecration typically involves a 33-day preparation, mirroring the structure of St. Louis de Montfort’s consecration to Mary, to foster a disposition of humility and trust in St. Joseph’s intercession. Catholics preparing for this act fall into three groups: those who already recognize St. Joseph’s role as a spiritual father and use the preparation to deepen their devotion; those who grow in understanding of his virtues during the 33 days and, through prayer and sacrifice, attain the necessary disposition; and those who, after repeated preparation, freely choose to consecrate themselves to him. The preparation includes daily prayers, reflections, and studying resources like Fr. Calloway’s book, culminating in a formal act of consecration on a chosen feast day, such as the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19). This lifelong commitment aims to mold the faithful into Christ’s likeness through Joseph’s example, promising spiritual protection, guidance, and a deeper union with the Holy Family.

Consecration Example: Dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example, may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen. Calloway, Donald H., MIC. Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father. Marian Press, 2020, p. 317.

The devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help centers on a 15th-century Byzantine icon, traditionally attributed to the Cretan school, possibly painted by Andreas Rizo de Candia, depicting the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus while the Archangels Michael and Gabriel present the instruments of His Passion. The icon’s history traces back to its arrival in Rome around 1499, when a merchant, having acquired it from Crete, ordered it displayed for public veneration. Following a Marian apparition to a young girl, the icon was enshrined in the Church of St. Matthew on Via Merulana, between the basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran, where it became known as the “Madonna di San Matteo.” For nearly three centuries, it drew pilgrims and was associated with numerous miracles, earning the title “The Very Miraculous Image.” After the church’s destruction by Napoleonic forces in 1812, the icon was hidden until its rediscovery in 1863. Pope Pius IX, who had prayed before it as a child, entrusted it to the Redemptorists in 1866, who enshrined it in the Church of St. Alphonsus Liguori in Rome, where it remains a focal point of devotion, with a feast day celebrated on June 27.

The devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help has since spread globally, with the Redemptorists as its primary promoters, fostering novenas and prayers that emphasize Mary’s role as a perpetual intercessor. The icon’s symbolism—Mary’s tender gaze, Jesus’ loosened sandal, and the instruments of the Passion—reflects themes of redemption and maternal protection, inspiring countless graces and healings. In 1876, Pope Pius IX elevated the Confraternity of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and St. Alphonsus, established in Rome, to an archconfraternity, granting it privileges and indulgences. The Church of All Saints, is home to a cofraternity dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, continuing this tradition of devotion through communal prayer and veneration, uniting members in seeking Mary’s intercession for spiritual and temporal needs. This cofraternity, like others worldwide, fosters a deep connection to the icon’s promise of Mary’s unceasing aid, encouraging the faithful to live in imitation of her fiat.

The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis, is a cherished Catholic devotion that invites the faithful to meditate on the Passion of Jesus Christ through a series of 14 stations, each representing a specific moment from His condemnation to His burial. Originating in the early Christian practice of pilgrims retracing Christ’s steps along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, the devotion was formalized in the Middle Ages, largely through the efforts of the Franciscans, who were entrusted with the care of the Holy Land’s sacred sites in the 14th century. By the 17th century, the practice of erecting stations in churches spread across Europe, allowing Catholics worldwide to spiritually walk with Jesus, contemplating His suffering, sacrifice, and love for humanity. The devotion, often practiced during Lent, especially on Fridays, encourages repentance, gratitude, and a deeper union with Christ’s redemptive work.

Each station, typically depicted with images or crosses in churches, includes prayers, meditations, and sometimes scriptural readings, guiding the faithful through moments like Jesus carrying the Cross, His falls, and His crucifixion. The devotion fosters a profound sense of solidarity with Christ’s suffering and invites participants to reflect on their own crosses in life, uniting them to His sacrifice. St. Alphonsus Liguori’s meditations, composed in the 18th century, remain a popular guide, emphasizing contrition and love for God. The Stations of the Cross carry indulgences, as approved by the Church, and can be prayed individually or communally, often with a priest or leader. This devotion continues to be a powerful spiritual exercise, drawing Catholics into the heart of the Paschal Mystery, inspiring conversion and trust in God’s mercy.

The Church of All Saints offers a guided meditation on the Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent starting at 6:25 PM.