Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is offering oneself or others to the heart of Mary. The Son of God became flesh and lived in this world for 33 years. In memory of each year of the life of Jesus, preparatory prayers are held for 33 days, for the momentous occasion. The ideal day of consecration is any feast of our Lady: hence the preparatory prayers begin so many days in advance.
Jesus is Love Incarnate. He humbled Himself to become human. The moment he became flesh, in the womb of Mary, her heart became motherly: she became mother to all Humanity. She became the Immaculate Conception for this reason only. She was conceived of the Holy Spirit. Thus the body and soul of Mary became the vessel of the Holy Spirit, the Shrine of the Spirit. Owing to this inseparable connection of Holy Mary with the Holy Spirit, anyone consecrated to the Heart of Mary, is consecrated to the Holy Spirit as well. The Spirit renews individuals and societies alike and transforms them for eternal life. The consecrated ones are never lost. They are in the Holy Spirit, always.
Consecration may not be done as a means of getting material benefits. It is a means to sanctification, to be on the path to salvation. It consists of prayers and good conduct of oneself, surely leading to a holy life here in this world. It is about a lifestyle fit for salvation. It is not easy for a person to achieve sanctification by one’s own merit. One sure way for sanctification is to consecrate oneself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, thereby surrendering oneself to the Spirit. It is a rebirth in the Holy Spirit. The outcome is sanctification.
This sanctification is effected by the Spirit, but with human input of forceful willingness to that end. This willingness is expressed through efforts to gain virtues, which are categorically mentioned by Saint Paul in his Epistle to The Galatians (chapter 5 verse 23) who says, ”whereas the Spirit yields a harvest of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, forbearance, gentleness, faith, courtesy, temperateness, purity.” The consecrated one has a duty to practice them in his daily life. When they are practiced, they might be offered to the Immaculate Heart. All failures also might be offered, with a request for grace to supplement the efforts, until success is achieved. It is a win-win situation.
A little elaboration on how to go about acquiring virtues is relevant here. Firstly, consider if anyone is able to feel or experience love from you and the number of times. Offer them to the heart of Mother. Secondly, ask if you have joy which flows from the heart exuding thankfulness to God for His Love. Were you thankful to God? Did you experience God’s love? Make sure that you have something to thank God for, every day. Thirdly, ask if you forgave anyone. Who was forgiven, when, and what it was that you forgave. Tell Jesus who, when, and what. Fourthly, find something to be happy about, a gift from God. Likewise, say when you were gentle, generous, faithful, courteous and the like.
To sum up, it may be said that you have to experience the seven virtues at the level of thoughts, words and deeds. When you do, you are in Jesus, and Jesus is in you. As you live in sanctity, you are certainly on the right path to heavenly Jerusalem. Jesus traverses this path always, and when you die, He will be at your side, with His angels.
How to move towards a virtuous life may be restated in different words. It is like a four-pronged attack on sin. Firstly, rectify your thoughts. Thoughts to seek illicit pleasures, desire for revenge, hatred, or to put others in their place and the like, are the springs of sins. All these and similar thoughts are only human but they are sinful and they lead to more sins. They ought to be supplanted with thoughts of love for your real or perceived enemies. The heavenly father wants you to love your enemies and bless them. Help all those who seek help from you. See Christ in all of them and behave accordingly.
Secondly, never let a foul word escape your mouth. Let your words reflect your interior. Words of love and kindness might lead you to words of blessing. Never judge people. See Christ in them and treat them accordingly. All your deeds might be actions of blessings, acts of love and kindness, forbearance, generosity etc. Finally, avoid all sins of omissions. Make the best of your time and resources to seek the kingdom of God, and be with God.
Consecrate all your failures too. If you fail, despite your best efforts, give your sins to the heart of the Immaculate Mother. Ask her to cleanse you. She has never refused a sinner’s plea.
