Other Preparation Plans
Traditional 12 days + 3 weeks plan
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An alternative plan
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Scripture quotations in these reflections are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, 1971, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches, in the USA.
St Louis Marie recommends that certain prayers be said each day during our preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. Father Macdonald has a section including various such prayers, which can be accessed here.
Preparation for Total Consecration
Day 3
WEEK 1:
THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD
The spirit of the world means in practice to live as if God does not exist. It is a self-centred existence, always with an eye to 'What's in it for me?' Yet, either 'God is of supreme importance or he is of no importance'.
Third Day: Mt. 7: 24-25
BUILD ON ROCK
Parable.
Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock.
Reflection.The spirit of the world has little regard for silence and stillness. 'Noise pollution' is part of our environment today. The media have their own commercial messages to broadcast. Entertainment is increasingly loud. So many are afraid of silence. I live in that world. I can be influenced by it. It may deafen me to any awareness of God.
To listen I need to pay attention. I may have no control over the noise about me but increasingly I should have some control within me. Interior silence is needed to take in what I hear.
My Christian faith will be tested, since life itself can be so unfair and crucifying. My own grasp of the faith may not be all that it should be. Anything I try to build will stand only if it rests on a secure foundation. In the parable, the wise man's house stood, despite the hurricane, because he had done that.
The same will be true of my life, says Jesus, if I am among those 'who hear these words of mine'. Then, he says, I should, if I am wise, act on what I hear. Deeds, we know, speak louder than words.
Prayer.Lord Jesus, I have heard your words. Some of them are familiar and have lodged in my memory. But today I pray for the grace to really listen to what you are saying, and so allow your word to lodge in my heart. Then give me the courage to act on what I hear.
May your Mother, who kept so much in her heart and bore such fruit, encourage me to listen and obey.
Montfort.'What am I asking for? ... Missionaries after your own heart, ... as free as the clouds, moving according to the inspiration of the Spirit.... always available, always ready to obey when those in authority speak' (PM, 7-10).
Alive to God
The introduction to Father Macdonald's book describes the thinking behind it, and how to use these reflections. You can read this Introduction here.
To view a table to select another day's reflection, click here.
Abbreviations used
| TD | True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin |
| SM | The Secret of Mary |
| LEW | The Love of Eternal Wisdom |
| FC | Letter to the Friends of the Cross |
| PM | Prayer for Missionaries |
| RM | Letter to the Friends of the CrossRule of the Missionary Priests |
| LCM | Letter to the Members of the Company of Mary |
| SR | Secret of the Rosary |
| L | Letters |
