If you ever wanted to eloquently define what the Act of Total Consecration is, and what it will lead to, listen to these two radio broadcasts!
These are the questions posed and discussed during this radio broadcast audio captured on April 20 at a radio station in Jacksonville, Florida. For the members of the Association of Mary, Queen of All Hearts, if you wish to understand spiritual insights to be able to more fully answer the questions listed above, listen to this program.
There are many spiritual Insights that are covered in this 52 minute radio program, which was the first of two programs held a week apart at the radio station. The radio program opens with an introduction to the Company of Mary, St. Louis de Montfort, and the background of Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM. Please note: the radio experienced some background interference that ultimately goes away.
Broadcast #2: To begin this discussion, Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM on the radio program re-introduces Fr. de Montfort, a Missionary Priest, but a very special kind of missionary priest. He preaches to those who have heard the gospel, to reawaken the spirituality and faith of the parishes. As part of that work, he discovered the Secret of Mary. The secret is: the more fully we can unite ourselves and place ourselves into the care of Our Lady, the more fully we will participate and share in the life of Jesus.
3:30 to 12:50: The discussion centers upon Devotion to Mary. We need to be clear about what Devotion to Mary is in Our Spiritual Life. Fr. de Montfort states devotion is not the Holy Rosary, not placing flowers at the foot of a statue, not a specific medal (Miraculous or Scapular) . These are all good, but not what he is talking about. In his day, in Fr. de Montfort’s time, Devotion was an attitude of heart. He is talking about being personally Devoted to Our Lady. This is a personal Devotion to her; One based upon love.
12:50 – 22:40: Contemplating and Meditating on Our Lady. As we begin our devotion, how does one grow with Mary?
Contemplating and Meditating on Our Lady
When we contemplate Our Lady, the Holy Rosary can be beneficial. It is spending time with Our Lady. I am praying the Mysteries of Christ in the company of Our Lady. As a result, her presence when we say the Holy Rosary, and contemplate the mysteries, will help us over time reveal things in our minds and in our hearts that we would never achieve on our own. As I do this and master this external practice of the Holy Rosary, over time it produces internally within the flower of internal Devotion.
As we begin our devotion How does one grow With Mary?
To grow in the presence of Mary, …with Mary. This implies I am in the company of another. For St. Louis de Montfort, to grow With Mary:
1. Our lady is present as an example. Even as I am doing something, I can glance and see Mary and determine how Our Lady would perform such a task, or serve this person. How would Our Lady handle this situation? How would Our Lady begin this prayer. If I am conscience of her presence, I can cast a spiritual glance at her.
2. Never go to Jesus without Mary. Always go to Jesus with Mary.
During the discussion, Fr. Hugh invites us all when we are at Mass, to receive the Lord and the Holy Sacrament with Mary, and to say a special prayer, Mary’s prayer with her when we return to the pew. Real Spirituality touches life. Listen to this section of How Do I Grow in Mary.
Many people may have heard about St. Louis de Montfort and his Consecration and also True Devotions. What was the first thing that stood out about St. Louis de Montfort besides these known items ?
Fr. Hugh states that personally, the personal aspect that is striking, besides his spirituality, after having read his biography, was the fact that he walked everywhere. St. Louis de Montfort was a wood carver. He made his own walking stick, and he carried everywhere he went, including on all his missions and parishes he visited. St. Louis de Montfort carved a crucifix and statues of Our Lady.
Concluding thoughts on spirituality
We do things for spiritual growth because our lives are important. Getting life right is an important thing. Even if one has made mistakes, life can still be made right. Fr. Hugh tells of the prisoners he visited and to see these men, who made mistakes, to pray. Not so much to be free, but to be free from the burden and weight of their mistakes. Christ choose to save the world between two prisoners. It is important to pray for those in prison, especially for those who heart are on the cusp of turning toward grace. We should pray for them so that we may learn from their example. To be grateful for the gift of time, freedom and the possibilities we all have here on this Earth.
We learn also from the prisoners. We say in our spirituality, I Am All Yours…What I Can Do is All Yours. For the prisoners, they also say “What I Can No Longer Do…Is All Yours”, my frustration and regret are also all yours. Is there some way these can also be … at your service!
It’s a reminder that Our Lord and Our Lady do not just want what we can do….but what we can no longer do. Not only our strength, but what we can no longer do. Our arthritic arm or fingers, the diabetes, and all I can no longer do are also the Lords and Our Lady’s. If we can master and place our services – what we can do and what we can not do at the service of Our Lord though Our Lady, we will have grown in our spirituality.
Radio Program Part #1 Radio Program Part #2
