Editor’s Note: In the most recent Issue of The Fatima Crusader (#135), several writers explored how Catholics can best live the Fatima Message. The magazine’s limitations on length prevented the publication of all of the articles we gathered on this vital topic. Hence, we are posting those “supplementary” articles at the website. Monique Krawecki authored the article, “Personal Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary” in the magazine. Her article below serves as a kind of continuation to that topic. A personal consecration is just the beginning. It is the first step, albeit very important, in the spiritual life. What happens thereafter? This article explores ways that one can live out that privileged consecration on a day-to-day basis.
Daily Spiritual Duties
Sister Lucia said that the most important part of the Fatima Message is to perform our daily duty well, as a sacrifice to God. The first and most important thing we should do every day is to pray our Morning Offering. It’s best to do this upon rising, but sometimes children or unexpected events cause us to start the day running without praying our Morning Offering. At the very least, make your Morning Offering before having that first cup of coffee (or however you start your day). We should also renew our consecration to Mary at the same time with a short prayer, such as:
“I am all Thine, and all that I have is Thine, O most loving Jesus, through Mary, Thy most holy and Immaculate Mother.”
This next prayer is very similar to what members of the Legion of Mary say at their annual Acies meeting:
“I am all Thine, my Queen and My Mother, and all that I have is Thine.”
There is another brief consecration prayer which can be said daily as well:
“O Mary, my Queen and my Mother! I give myself entirely to Thee, and to show my devotion to Thee, I consecrate to Thee this day, my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, and my whole being without reserve. Wherefore, good Mother, as I am Thine own, keep me, guard me as Thy property and possession. Amen”
If you want to consecrate your children every day, you can change the prayer to say, “I give myself and my children entirely to Thee”, etc.
If possible, go to Mass and receive Holy Communion. If Mass isn’t possible, then offer a Spiritual Communion. Meditate for 15 minutes and do spiritual reading. (You can’t love what you don’t know.) Wear the Brown Scapular and pray the Rosary every day.
Someone once asked Sister Lucia, “What is the most important part of living the Fatima Message?” As related above, Sister Lucia replied, “Doing your daily duty.” Surprised, the person countered, “Not the Rosary?” Sister Lucia replied, “If someone is doing their daily duty properly, they will be praying their daily Rosary.”
Live as if Mary is present in the same room with you. Ask Her to share in your day and direct you in the tasks you need to accomplish. Ask Our Lady to help you in all temptations. At night, it’s important to examine our conscience and make a good Act of Contrition. Make reparation for sin by performing the First Saturday devotion every month. This will earn graces for a Pope to properly consecrate Russia.
Spiritual Charity Towards One Neighbor
Pray and sacrifice for the conversion of sinners. “…to live for others, for love of God, is the greatest source of personal peace and happiness.” (Russia Will Be Converted, p. 220) The acceptance of suffering with resignation to God’s will is very important to help convert others to Christ. Our Lady lamented that souls were falling into hell because there were not enough people praying and making sacrifices for these poor sinners.
Living in a Community
Devotion to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart will be the way to bring about the Triumph of that Immaculate Heart as well as the reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We should try to conform our lives and our homes to be pleasing to Mary. Dress modestly. Jacinta was told by Our Lady that “certain fashions will be introduced that will offend Our Lord very much.”
Keep good Catholic art and music in the home, as well as good books for spiritual reading and meditation. Read solid Catholic newspapers and magazines to keep informed on events from a Catholic perspective. Wear the Brown Scapular and observe chastity for your state in life – especially if you want to receive the Sabbatine privilege of the Brown Scapular, in addition to living in the state of grace. If married, resist modern sins against marriage, because Our Lady of Fatima said, “Many marriages are not of God.”
If possible, join a spiritual organization such as the Militia Immaculata or Legion of Mary. Ideally, it would be helpful to live close to a supportive community of like-minded family and friends. Living in isolation can be very difficult over time. Be prepared to defend the Faith with anyone who comes across your path by studying it. Pray to Our Lady and ask Her advice and direction about any decision or action to be made. Be a good example to others and always have charity in truth.