The recent National Convention of the National Council of Catholic Women, held in Oklahoma City, centered on the theme: “Called to an Encounter with Jesus.” With that focus, Catholic women from throughout the nation were challenged to increase their belief in the real presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and to draw closer to God in prayer and service. Isn’t that a beautiful summary of what every Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) could be?
To that end, I am inviting every Catholic woman of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau to participate in a spiritual endeavor that I hope will make a huge impact in our diocese. And, I am asking every PCCW to take the lead on this effort by inviting every woman in the parish to participate. What is this spiritual endeavor? Marian Consecration: a total consecration of oneself to Jesus through Mary!
Fr. Michael Gaitley has published a “do-it-yourself” retreat consisting of 33 days of prayer and meditation, with inspirational quotes from saints, entitled, 33 Days to Morning Glory. St. Louis de Montfort also has a method of prayer and consecration, outlined in his work, True Devotion to Mary. While I find St. Louis de Montfort’s writing to be the classic standard, Fr. Gaitley’s version is more up to date. Subtitled, “A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration,” the book journeys with contemporary saints such as the Little Flower, St. Maximillian Kolbe, and St. Faustina. Either version will work. The 33 days can be alone, or, if some prefer, it could include a gathering once a week with others doing the Consecration, like a spiritual “book” club. The important thing is to do the daily reading and prayer. The date of consecration will be Dec. 9, 2024, the date this year for the celebration of the Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception, since Dec. 8 falls on a Sunday.
Lynn Melendez, from the Office of Evangelization, Family Life, and Youth Ministry will be the diocesan liaison for this endeavor. She has ordered 200 copies of Fr. Gaitley’s book at a discounted rate of 45 percent off the retail price. Some of you may already have completed a Marian consecration and already have a copy of either book. This will be a great opportunity to renew it once again. Personally, I offer the prayer of consecration on the 13th of every month, the date of my episcopal consecration. If you have any questions, please contact Lynn at (417) 866-0841 or Email [email protected].
This is part of a larger effort that will include a Consecration to Jesus through St. Joseph for the men of the diocese, targeting the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19, 2025, followed by an effort to get as many members of the diocese as possible to participate in a Consecration to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist this time next fall to kick off the 70th Anniversary of the founding of our diocese, which will occur in 2026. A box outlining this effort may be found on p. 4 of this issue of The Mirror.
In the weeks ahead, we will send out bulletin announcements encouraging women in southern Missouri to participate. Please do your part and give yourself the gift of this consecration, and encourage the women in your family or parish to do the same. I’m mindful of the motto on my high school ring from Saint Mary’s High School: “Per Matrem ad Filium,” (“Through the Mother to the Son”). Let it be so.
“O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.”
Published in the September 27, 2024 issue of The Mirror.
Photo Credit: (The Mirror)