Consecration to Mary
Totus Tuus – Totally Yours.
These two Latin words became the motto of Pope St. John Paul II, expressing his total consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In giving himself completely to Mary, he was ultimately giving himself to Jesus through Mary – and this is the essence of Marian consecration. For Catholics, devotion to Our Lady is not a luxury or an extra; it flows from Jesus’ own will. As He hung on the Cross, Jesus entrusted us to His Mother’s care: “Behold your mother!” (John 19:27).
From that moment on, Mary became the spiritual mother of all disciples and “maternal mediatrix” of grace for the whole Church. She who gave birth to the Savior and stood by Him as He offered Himself for our sins is now our greatest intercessor and guide in the Christian life. To consecrate oneself to Mary means to accept this gift from Christ – to take Mary into our hearts and homes, just as the Apostle John took her into his home (John 19:27). It is a deliberate, loving entrustment of ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, so that she may lead us ever closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We do not adore Mary (for worship is due to God alone); rather, we honor her as the perfect model of holiness and we trust her as a most tender mother. The Church teaches that Mary’s unique cooperation in salvation (as the New Eve, saying “Yes” to God at the Annunciation) and her ongoing prayers for us from heaven make her a channel of countless graces. As the popular prayer says, Mary is “our life, our sweetness, and our hope” on the journey to Christ. To consecrate ourselves to her is to run to a mother’s embrace – to seek refuge in her Immaculate Heart, where we are safe and loved, and through which we are formed into more faithful disciples of Jesus.
Mary’s Role in Salvation History and Our Lives
Why give ourselves to Mary? Simply put, because God Himself chose to come to us through Mary. In the grand story of salvation, from the moment our first parents fell, God prepared a Woman who would bring the Savior into the world. Mary’s “fiat” – “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38) – was the humble consent that untied Eve’s knot of disobedience. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary conceived the eternal Son of God in her womb. She carried Jesus, gave birth to Him in Bethlehem, presented Him in the Temple, fled with Him into Egypt, and raised Him at Nazareth. Mary was there at the beginning of Jesus’ earthly life, and she was also there at the climax: standing at the foot of the Cross (John 19:25), sharing in His suffering with a pierced heart, and then rejoicing in His Resurrection. After Jesus ascended, Mary was with the apostles at Pentecost, praying as the Holy Spirit descended to ignite the Church. Thus, from start to finish, Mary is uniquely woven into the mystery of Christ and the Church.
Because of her intimate cooperation with Jesus’ redemptive work, Catholic tradition reveres Mary as Mediatrix (a mediator) in the order of grace, meaning that, by God’s design, the graces of Christ flow through her to us, much as life-giving water flowed through the aqueducts in ancient times. All grace comes from Jesus the one Mediator; yet just as He came to us through Mary, He often continues to distribute graces with her maternal involvement. Mary’s maternal mediation is like that of a loving mother who hands gifts to her children on behalf of the father. She obtains for us the gifts of the Spirit, helps present our prayers to God, and gently prompts our hearts to be faithful.
Furthermore, the saints teach that Mary is the surest and quickest path to Jesus. Why? Because no creature ever loved Christ more perfectly than Mary. Her heart is completely united to His. When we draw near to Mary, we inevitably draw near to Jesus – it’s like being carried in her arms straight to the King. As St. Louis de Montfort, the great Apostle of Marian consecration, wrote: “Mary is the quickest, easiest, and most secure path to Jesus.” She is the mold that forms us into the image of Christ. The Second Vatican Council said that by imitating Mary and relying on her intercession, we “ponder her example” and “are inspired to live more fully for Christ”.
In Mary, we see what it looks like for a human person to be totally open to God’s will – she is “full of grace” (Luke 1:28) and free from sin, yet still one of us, a humble girl of Nazareth raised to unimaginable heights by God. Her example assures us that holiness is possible. And her motherly love assures us that we never walk alone.
When a child is small and learning to walk, the mother holds its hands. In the same way, Mary takes our hand and leads us along the road to holiness, helping us avoid pitfalls and learn to walk in faith. She knows the way to Jesus by heart, and she is eager to share that journey with us.
To Jesus through Mary: The Joy of Marian Consecration
Total consecration to Jesus through Mary is a life-changing devotion that countless Catholics, including many saints, have undertaken. In a total consecration (also called “True Devotion to Mary” following St. Louis de Montfort’s classic work), a person gives everything to Mary – body, soul, possessions, talents, and spiritual merits – so that she can fully direct our lives to Jesus. We essentially make Mary the guardian of our spiritual life, trusting that as the best of mothers she will arrange all things for God’s greater glory and for our growth in holiness. St. Louis de Montfort taught that when we consecrate ourselves to Mary, we are like tools in her hands or like small children who place all their trust in their mother. We give her our merits and good works so she can distribute the graces to those most in need. We give her our sins and weaknesses so she can purify us and shelter us from the evil one. We give her our will by saying, “Mary, I am totally yours; help me to desire what Jesus desires.” In return, Mary gives us her heart – her Immaculate Heart becomes our refuge and our model. She inspires us to love Jesus with her own pure love. As St. Maximilian Kolbe (another great champion of Marian consecration) wrote, this devotion brings about an intimate union of the soul with Mary and the Holy Spirit. Consecration opens our soul to the Holy Spirit’s action, just as Mary was perfectly docile to the Spirit. The Holy Spirit delights in working in and through Mary, so when we are united with her, we more readily receive His flame of love and guidance.
In practice, how does one make a Marian consecration? Traditionally, it involves a 33-day period of preparation with daily prayers and spiritual readings. This was popularized by St. Louis de Montfort and, more recently, by Fr. Michael Gaitley in his accessible retreat, 33 Days to Morning Glory. During these 33 days, you spend time each day reflecting on Marian spirituality and the teachings of saints like St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II. You ask Mary to prepare your heart, just as she prepared for Jesus’ coming. It’s like a retreat in daily life, often organized in four weeks focusing on different themes (for example: learning from Mary’s example, understanding her role as Mother, discovering her as spouse of the Holy Spirit, and living out the consecration). At the end, you make your Act of Consecration on a Marian feast day – such as the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Guadalupe, or the Assumption. In that act (prayer), you formally profess the consecration, saying in effect: “Mother Mary, I am all yours, and all that I have is yours. I give you my entire self, to Jesus through you.” It is a beautiful, moving commitment often done at Mass or before the Blessed Sacrament.
The fruits of this consecration are tremendous. Peace, joy, and spiritual strength often increase as one grows in the awareness that Our Lady is personally involved in one’s sanctification. “Marian consecration is a new way of life in Christ,” writes Fr. Gaitley – it truly “changes everything”. Many who complete the 33 days describe it as a spiritual rebirth or the start of a more fervent chapter in their faith. What changes? For one, your relationship with Mary blossoms: she is no longer distant or abstract, but a real, living presence in your daily life. You become more attentive to her gentle promptings – for instance, to pray the Rosary, to avoid sin, or to help someone in need. Secondly, love for Jesus deepens, because Mary always leads us to Jesus. She enlarges our heart for Christ. As Fr. Gaitley explains, consecration means giving Mary permission to fulfill her motherly mission in us, which is to form us into saints, into “other Christs.” We are explicitly asking, “Mother, help me become a saint!” And she will surely intercede to obtain that grace, as much as we allow her. St. Louis de Montfort boldly asserted that Marian consecration is the “surest, easiest, and most perfect” way of attaining sanctity.
St. John Paul II agreed, calling this devotion “indispensable” for anyone who wants to give themselves completely to Christ without reserve. Why “easy” and “sure”? Because when a child is carried by his mother, he doesn’t tire or get lost – Mary carries us spiritually, making our progress swifter and safer than we could on our own. We still face trials (as all Christians do), but Mary’s presence gives clarity and courage to face them. We also share in her joy – the Magnificat joy of praising God at all times. Consecration to Mary is not a burden; it’s a relief! We place our worries and hopes into the hands of the one who cares for us most, after God. There is an unmistakable joy and sweetness in belonging totally to the Mother of Jesus.
Moreover, consecration multiplies our effectiveness as evangelizers and intercessors. When we give our merits to Mary, she augments and purifies our offerings, making them more pleasing to Christ. It’s as if we give her a little fish and some loaves, and she, by God’s grace, multiplies them to feed the multitudes. Our prayers, united with Mary’s prayers, become more powerful. Our works, done in Mary’s spirit of humility and love, bear greater fruit. We become part of her army (as St. Maximilian Kolbe would say, her “Militia Immaculata”), battling sin and bringing souls to Jesus under her banner.
Most of all, Marian consecration deepens our union with Jesus. Our Lady does not keep us for herself; she refines and hands us over to Christ, more loving and pure than before. Marian consecration is actually Christocentric at its core – it’s all about Jesus. We go “to Jesus through Mary” because that’s the route He came to us. We echo Mary’s own words, “Be it done unto me according to Your word.” When we give that yes in union with Mary, Christ is more fully formed in us. St. Paul said, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20). Mary helps us reach that state of heart where Christ truly lives in and through us.
If you have never made a Consecration to Mary, consider it an invitation from your Heavenly Mother. She is gently asking, “Dear child, will you let me take care of you and lead you to Jesus?” This consecration is an act of love – a joyful surrender. It might seem daunting to give Mary everything, but remember, she is all-good. She never misuses what we give her; she only magnifies it for God. And we can never outdo her in generosity. When you say “I am all yours, Mary,” she in turn gives herself completely to you, bringing with her the unfathomable love of the Holy Spirit. The Immaculate Heart of Mary will be your shelter, and her virtues – humility, purity, faith, patience – will begin to imprint themselves in your soul. Day by day, you will become more like Mary in her likeness to Jesus. How beautiful is that! As one saint exclaimed, “To Jesus through Mary! What a simple and secure way to holiness.” With Mary, our lives “proclaim the greatness of the Lord” (Luke 1:46) and our spirit rejoices in God our Savior.
We encourage you to begin this journey, perhaps with the help of a guide like 33 Days to Morning Glory or St. de Montfort’s True Devotion. You can do it individually or join a group retreat. Consecrati Family Ministries facilitates group consecration programs, walking with you each day in prayer and reflection. However you choose to proceed, know that our Blessed Mother is already praying for you in this endeavor. She desires nothing more than to bring you to intimate union with Jesus. When the day of consecration comes, and you pronounce your Totus Tuus, imagine the smile on Mary’s face and the joy in the Heart of Jesus! You will have given Jesus a beautiful gift – the gift of trusting His mother – and He will surely pour out grace upon grace in return. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!