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Theconsecration and entrustment to the Virgin Mary is a personal or collective act ofMarian devotion among Catholics, with the Latin termsoblatio,servitus,commendatio anddedicatio being used in this context.[2]Consecration is an act by which a person is dedicated to a sacred service, or an act which separates an object, location or region from a common and profane mode to one for sacred use.[3] The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments clarifies that in this context, "It should be recalled, however, that the term "consecration" is used here in a broad and non-technical sense: the expression is use of 'consecrating children to Our Lady', by which is intended placing children under her protection and asking her maternal blessing for them".[2]
Consecration to the Virgin Mary by Catholics has taken place from three perspectives: personal, societal and regional, and under a number of different titles: theImmaculate Conception, to theImmaculate Heart of Mary, or more recently to Mary,Mother of the Church. Early in the 20th century,Maximilian Kolbe, called the "Apostle of Consecration to Mary", began a vigorous programme of promoting consecration to the Immaculata.[4] In Catholic teachings, consecration to Mary does not diminish or substitute the love of God, but enhances it, for all consecration is ultimately made to God.[5] TheologianGarrigou-Lagrange designated personal consecration to Mary as the highest level amongMarian devotions.[citation needed]
PopeJohn Paul II's motto,Totus Tuus ("totally yours"), reflected his personal consecration to Mary. He consecrated the entire world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.[6]
The beginnings of the notion of "belonging to Mary" can be seen in the writings ofEphrem the Syrian in the 4th century, and a form of personal consecration to Mary dates back to the 5th century, where its practitioners were called "servants of Mary" and the practice was sometimes referred to as "holy servitude". However, the first consistent and repeated use of the concept of consecration to Mary was perhaps byIldephonsus of Toledo in the 7th century, andPope John VII also referred to it in the 8th century.[7]
The notion that consecration to Mary is linked with consecration toChrist and has an ultimateChristocentric goal was already present in the 7th century writings of Ildephonsus, when he wrote: "What is delivered up to the Mother rebounds to the Son; thus passes to the King the honor that is rendered in the service of the Queen."[7]
In the 8th century,John Damascene continued the theme of consecration to Mary, and when he wrote "to you we consecrate(anathemenoi) our minds, our souls and our bodies, in a word our very selves" he used the Greek termanathemenoi which indicates "the setting aside for sacred use".[7]
The act of consecration of cities and regions dates back at least to the 9th century, whenAbbo Cernuus ofSaint-Germain-des-Prés composed a poem in which he attributed the failure of the Vikings in theSiege of Paris (885–886) to the consecration of the city to the Virgin Mary, and her protection over it.[8] During theMedieval period, abbeys, towns and cities began to consecrate themselves to the Virgin Mary to seek her protection. In the 12th centuryCîteaux Abbey in France used the motif of the "protective mantle" of the Virgin Mary which shielded the kneeling abbots and abbesses. In the 13th centuryCaesarius of Heisterbach was also aware of this motif, which eventually led to the iconography of theVirgin of Mercy.[7]
Although previous saints had discussed the notion of consecration, it was only in 11th century France thatOdilo at theCluny Abbey began to spread the formal practice of personal consecration to Mary.[9] In the 12th century, theCistercian orders began consecrating themselves to Mary, first individually and then as a group, and this practice then spread to theBenedictines and theCarmelites.[10]
The 17th century also saw the adoption of the custom ofconsecrating the month of May to the Blessed Virgin.[10] During the 18th and 19th centuries the traditions of Marian consecration grew and by 1860First Communion in France included an act of consecration to the Virgin Mary.[11] By this time Marian consecrations had spread beyond continental Europe and in EnglandFrederick Faber had composed ahymn of consecration to the Virgin Mary which included a petition to her motherly role.[12]
Since the 19th century, devotions and consecrations to theImmaculate Heart of Mary have been encouraged by several popes includingPius IX,Pius XII andJohn Paul II.[13]
TheologianReginald Garrigou-Lagrange, a professor at theAngelicum, analyzed various forms and stages ofMarian devotions. He designated personal consecration to Mary as the highest level among these devotions. In his theological analysis, Marian devotions are categorized into stages, from beginner to advanced, as follows:[14]
The theology of personal consecration to Mary was further explained by PopeJohn Paul II inRedemptoris Mater where, building onJohn 19:27, he stated that the word "home" refers to the spiritual and inner life of believers, and "to take Mary into one's home" signifies a filial entrustment to her as mother in every aspect of life. John Paul II suggested theApostle John as an example of how every Christian should respond to the gift of the spiritual motherhood of Mary.[15]
The practice of consecration to Jesus through Mary was further promoted in the 18th century following the rediscovery of the writings of the 17th century priest Louis de Montfort.[16] The heart of Montfort's classic workTrue Devotion to Mary is a formal act of consecration to Mary, so through her, one can be consecrated to Christ. For Montfort, consecration begins a gradual process of sanctification in which a person's focus turns away from self-love and towards God through Mary. In Montfort's view different individuals reach different levels along this scale, depending on their efforts and purity of intentions. Montfort's classification of the multiple levels of spiritual progress is similar to the "spiritual dwelling places" described byTeresa of Avila in theInterior Castle. Yet Montfort's view differs from Teresa's contemporary,John of the Cross in that Montfort sees the Marian path to Jesus as far more positive, encouraging and smooth than the path followed by John in the poemDark Night of the Soul.[17]
Montfort's concept of consecration was influenced byHenri Boudon's bookDieu seul: le Saint esclavage de l'admirable Mère de Dieu (Only God, the Holy Slavery of the admirable Mother of God). By reading Boudon, Montfort concluded thatany consecration is ultimately made to "God Alone", for only God merits the loving servitude of man. Later, "God Alone" became the motto of Montfort. Montfort's approach followed Boudon very closely, but differed on one element: while Boudon's consecration was founded on the Queenship of Mary, Montfort approach was based on the divine maternity.[18][19]
PopeJohn Paul II stated that as a young seminarian he had read and reread Montfort many times and "understood that I could not exclude the Lord's Mother from my life without neglecting the will of God-Trinity".[20][21]
Francis de Sales began to write on the "perfections of the Heart of Mary" as the model of love for God in the early parts of the 17th century and his work influencedJean Eudes, who then developed the joint devotion to theHearts of Jesus and Mary.[22] Two factors that helped the rapid progress of the devotion were the introduction of theMiraculous Medal byCatherine Labouré in 1830 and the establishment atNotre-Dame-des-Victoires, Paris of theArchconfraternity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners. In 1838 Father Desgenettes, the pastor of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, organized the Association in honor of the Holy and Immaculate Heart of Mary, which PopeGregory XVI made a confraternity the same year.[23] In July, 1855, theCongregation of Rites approved the Office and Mass for the Immaculate Heart.[24]
Another driving force for devotions and consecrations to the Immaculate Heart of Mary appeared in the 1917 messages ofOur Lady of Fátima. The three children who reported the messages ofMarian apparitions at Fátima referred to the Immaculate Heart.[25] The third apparition reported at Fátima on 13 July 1917, specifically encouraged devotions and consecrations for the triumph of the Immaculate Heart. Although the reports of the Fátima apparitions were initially met with skepticism, they grew in popularity and were approved by theHoly See in 1930.[26]
On 13 May 1967, the 50th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima, PopePaul VI visitedFatima, Portugal, and issued the Apostolic ExhortationSignum Magnum ("a great sign") in which he asked "all sons of the Church to renew their consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary".[27] In 1986, when addressing the participants in the 1986 International Theological Symposium on the Alliance of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Pope John Paul II stated: "Our act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary refers ultimately to the Heart of her Son, for as the Mother of Christ she is wholly united to his redemptive mission. As at the marriage feast of Cana, when she said 'Do whatever he tells you', Mary directs all things to her Son, who answers our prayers and forgives our sins."[28]
In 1854Pope Pius IX defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the apostolic constitutionIneffabilis Deus. This greatly helped the spread of devotions and consecrations to the Immaculata.[29][30]
In the early part of the 20th century,Maximilian Kolbe began his efforts to promote consecration to the Immaculata, partly relying on the 1858 messages ofOur Lady of Lourdes. He argued that since Mary is Immaculate, by her very nature she is the perfect instrument of the Holy Spirit in the mediation of all graces, given that "every grace is a gift of the Father through his Son by the Holy Spirit".[31][32]
Kolbe founded the monastery ofNiepokalanów ("City of the Immaculate Mother of God") and publishedMilitia Immaculatae in multiple languages, which eventually reached a circulation of 750,000 copies a month, until it was stopped when Kolbe was sent to theAuschwitz concentration camp. Kolbe's efforts in promoting consecration to the Immaculata made him known as the "Apostle of Consecration to Mary".[4][33]
For many centuries, theCarmelites have worn theBrown Scapular as a sign of their consecration to Mary, and her protection over them.[35] In the year 1304, theServite Order (Servants of Mary), whose focus was on the sorrows of Mary, was approved by the Holy See.[36]
Over the centuries, a number ofMarian movements and societies have been consecrated to the Virgin Mary, e.g. the fourth vow taken by theMarianist Fathers, whose order was formed in the 18th century, during theFrench Revolution includes a consecration to the Virgin Mary.[37] In the 1948 Apostolic ConstitutionBis Saeculari Pope Pius XII encouraged Marian consecrations by the Marian societies such asSodality of Our Lady.[38]
On Sunday, 8 October 2000, upon the completion of the ceremonies for the Jubilee of the Bishops, PopeJohn Paul II and the bishops consecrated and entrusted themselves and the Catholic Church in the new millennium to Mary.[39][40]
On 12 May 2010 at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Fátima, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the beatification ofJacinta and Francisco Marto PopeBenedict XVI consecrated all priests to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.[41][42]
The consecration of cities and regions to the Virgin Mary dates back at least to the 9th century, and during the feudingMedieval period, abbeys, towns and cities began to consecrate themselves to the Virgin Mary to seek her protection.[7][8] In the 17th century France was consecrated to the Virgin Mary byLouis XIII and a number of other countries such asPortugal followed that trend.[43]
In the 1917 purported apparitions ofOur Lady of Fatima, the Virgin Mary is said to have specifically asked for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart.[44]
On 31 October 1942, Pius XII made a solemn act of consecration of the Catholic Church and the whole world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, joined by the bishops of Portugal, gathered at the Cathedral in Lisbon.[45] The consecration was performed via aPortuguese radio broadcast, and then renewed on 8 December 1942, in Rome.[46][47] In July 1952 Pope Pius XII specifically performed theConsecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary via the Apostolic LetterSacro Vergente.[48][49]
According to author Edward Sri, given the emphasis Pius XII had placed on theQueenship of Mary, the consecration emphasized the importance Pius XII placed on the powerful role of Mary as an intercessor and a protector of humanity.[50] MariologistGabriel Roschini wrote that the 1942 consecration of humanity to Mary can be viewed as an apex for Marian culture.[51][52]
On 13 May 1982 in Fatima Portugal, Pope John Paul II again consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and said: "Consecrating the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary means drawing near, through the mother's intercession, to the very fountain of life that sprang from Golgotha. This fountain pours forth unceasingly redemption and grace. In it reparation is made continually for the sins of the world. It is a ceaseless source of new life and holiness".[53]
On 25 March 1984, Pope John Paul II again performed the solemn consecration of the world to theImmaculate Heart of Mary before the statue of the Virgin Mary of Fatima brought toSaint Peter's Square in Vatican City for the ceremony. In his "program of Marian consecration and entrustment" John Paul II considered consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as Divinely intended to complement the consecration to the sacred Heart of Jesus.[54][55]
Pope Pius XII's two consecrations were made in October 1942 and July 1952 and those of John Paul II in May 1982 and March 1984.[53] This paralleled the consecration of the world to theSacred Heart of Jesus by PopeLeo XIII, discussed in the encyclicalAnnum sacrum of May 1899.[56][57]
On 28 June 2003 John Paul II entrustedEurope to the Virgin Mary, and renewed that entrustment again on 31 August 2003.[58][59]
During the ongoing conflict, on 25 March 2022Pope Francisconsecrated Russia andUkraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in union with bishops from all over the world to implore an end to the war.[60]
Early Jesuit missionaries consecrated their missions to Mary Immaculate. In 2017, theCanadian Conference of Catholic Bishops suggested local ordinaries consecrate their respective dioceses to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on 1 July (or another date "that might better suit the local pastoral situation") to mark the 150th anniversary of theCanadian Confederation.[61] Those taking part included:
All the bishops of Canada participated jointly in the consecration of the country to the Blessed Mother during the CCCB Plenary Assembly on 6 September 2017. On 1 May 2020, members of the CCCB consecrated Canada to Mary, under the title Mother of the Church.[63] Bishops were invited to participate in a 1 May 2020 re-consecration of their dioceses. Among those participating was BishopMark Hagemoen of Saskatoon.[62]
The title of "Mary's Dowry" as applied to England dates back toEdward the Confessor, and was formally proclaimed in 1399 byArchbishop of CanterburyThomas Arundel. Eight years before, during thePeasants' Revolt of 1381, the fourteen-year-old KingRichard II of England had entrusted his kingdom to the Virgin Mary in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The bishops of England consecrated the country to Mary in 1893. The re-dedication of England as the "Dowry of Mary" took place 29 March 2020 at the shrine ofOur Lady of Walsingham.[64][65]
"In 1945, at the urging of bishops from the U.S. and Canada, Ven. Pius XII bestowed on her the title Empress of the Americas."[66]On Easter Sunday 2020, CELAM, the Latin American and Caribbean bishops’ conference, consecrated Latin America and the Caribbean toOur Lady of Guadalupe "asking her for health and an end to the pandemic."[67][63]
In 1792,Bishop Carroll of Baltimore, consecrated the United States to Mary under the title of theImmaculate Conception.[69] In 1846, bishops attending theSixth Provincial Council in Baltimore chose Mary under that title as the country's patroness.
Like the Canadian bishops, on 1 May 2020, ArchbishopJosé Horacio Gómez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, led a "Renewal of the Consecration of the United States of America to the Blessed Virgin Mary" under the title"Mary, Mother of the Church"[70] at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in Los Angeles. That same day, a rite of consecration was similarly held byArchbishop Gregory at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.[71][72]
Archbishop Gomez also sent a letter to the U.S. bishops inviting them to join in the consecration. Among those joining in the consecration to Mary, Mother of the Church was BishopGlen Provost of theDiocese of Lake Charles,[73] and BishopLawrence T. Persicoof theRoman Catholic Diocese of Erie.[74]
On 6 May 2018, BishopGregory Parkes of theDiocese of Saint Petersburg renewed a dedication of the diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary previously done by BishopThomas Larkin on Friday, 13 May 1983 "in response to a request from the Holy Father, John Paul II."[75]
Separately, Pope Pius XII gave the title "Empress of the Americas" to the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe on October 12, 1945, which naturally includes the United States of America.[76][77] Pope Pius XII both in Spanish as well as in English clearly stated that she is Empress of the Americas, (for reference please read further) not just for Latin Americans or for any particular nation but for all people in the South and North American continents.
Pope Pius XII, Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Francis have consecrated Russia to the Immaculate Heart.
During thewar between Israel and Hamas, on 29 October 2023 CardinalPierbattista Pizzaballa consecrated theHoly Land and theMiddle East to the Immaculate Heart of Mary imploring the gift of peace[78]
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A number of different prayers may be used as part of the consecration to the Virgin Mary. The "Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary" appears in the officialRaccolta book of indulgenced prayers.[81]
The prayer originally composed by Louis de Montfort is as follows:[82]
Today, I, a faithless sinner, renew in your hands my Baptismal vows; I renounce Satan forever, his pomps and works; and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, and will carry my cross after Him all the days of my life, and will be more faithful to Him than I have ever been. With the entire heavenly court as my witness, I choose you this day for my Mother. I deliver and consecrate myself to you, my body and soul, myself, both interior and exterior, and the worth of my good actions, past, present and future; leaving to you the total right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me, according to your wish, for the greater glory of God in time and in eternity.
The prayer used by Pope John Paul II as hisact of entrustment of all Bishops to Mary was considerably longer. It began with John 19:26 and included the entrustment as follows: "Here we stand before you to entrust to your maternal care ourselves, the Church, the entire world. Plead for us with your beloved Son that he may give us in abundance the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth which is the fountain of life."[39][83]
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