Just checking in to find out how everyone else on the latest forum consecration group is getting on. Both those who have made it for the first time, and those who renewed their consecration. Early days for me!!! I am kind of missing the discipline of the retreat readings. Somedays it seemed a bit of a chore, to be honest, having to fit it in around busy days. But now I feel a bit lacking - the readings from the Gaitley book were so profound. Also the original de Montfort retreat has some wonderful passages from Scripture, and the Imitation - which I've not read all the way through. I feel as if Mary is asking me to be more faithful to my divine office. As a lay person, it's not binding of course, even to those of us who have taken to it. Of late I have been very lax about it, and thinking in a way it did not matter because the consecration would bring it something new. I don't think so!!! Our mother is telling me to pray more, to give more time in my day to prayer. There's also this 'pondering' which was very much part of her life. I think she wants me to ponder more deeply, especially on the way I speak. This is more important with those I am close to since I am less guarded and more likely to say rather cutting things about others. Please share insights that Our Lady is showing you, and let's move forward as members of her 'militia' in the spiritual warfare.
You know since you mention 'militia' I feel since our Consecration I have been shown the Militia of the Immaculuta and to prepare for that next, just reading up for now. http://www.consecration.com/Default.aspx Plus I always had great regard for St. Maximilian Kolbe, when I was young a Friar who was in the same seminary as Kolbe came to stay with us. This Friar had vacated the Seminary before the Nazi's captured the rest of the Monks, he and a few others headed to Rome over land. He stayed with us as he was a friend of an aunt and he often remarked on the holiness of Kolbe, this stuck in my head. Also the connection between the feast day of Fatima when we consecrated to the Militia of the Immaculuta makes this seem all the more like the right path for me. I also feel, although Our Lady wants to keep my prayer up and keep my regular daily prayers going she also wants me to have a little rest both physical and mental rest.
Today, Mary took me by the hand and led me in a not-so-straight-line! I did not work this Friday, but my wonderful wife, Geralyn, was unfortunately sick. So I drove off early in the morning to do a few errands for her. I didn't want to miss Holy Mass, so I first tried to make the 7am at Sacred Heart. That didn't pan out, so I did another errand and attempted to make the 8am at St. Matthew's. That fell through also. Finally, I made the 9am at St. Rose of Lima after completing my final errand. Wouldn't you know it? The whole elementary school was in attendance to celebrate the May crowning of Our Lady! All the boys wore white shirts and ties. The girls were in white dresses with garlands of flowers in their hair. One of the children made a brave attempt at singing Ave Maria! And after the crowning of Our Lady, another student led everyone in a prayer of consecration to Mary! It had been many years since I had witnessed anything like that. So I'm grateful Mary put up a couple of roadblocks so that I might attend the special Holy Mass in her honor! Glory to God! Thanks be to the Two Hearts!
I can't believe we finished our consecration over 2 weeks ago now!! I was ready to post on this thread right after Clare started it, but believe it or not, my web browser suddenly did not like this website, as something flakey happened and I could not post. I could log in, "like" posts, but there was not text box for me to post at the bottom of any thread. After some help from Padraig and John, I changed browsers and can post again. But, I am looking for an apartment, so that is taking all of my spare time and I haven't had time to post. But anyway, given my current discouraging apartment search, I am reaching out to our heavenly mother often, as her consecrated child, to help me find the place where Jesus wants me to live...the place I probably will be living as the events begin. So, I realize my dependence on her and I pray for her guidance. I do believe this consecration is great to do if you are dealing with a problem or dealing with a confusing issue. It is so good to reach out to our lady and know she will actively help you with any situation you are facing!
PS, I'm praying for the right apartment. What's the latest situation with your Mom? I thought the hope was to find a place for the both of you? Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Yes Mario, I will be living with Mom. You can read my update on the gratitude thread..thank you for your prayers! God has provided the perfect place!
