Totus Tuus Tour 2019: Diocese of St. Augustine

Totus Tuus Tour 2019: Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida

Celebrating the Diocese of St. Augustine’s 150-th Anniversary:

The founding of St. Augustine also created one of the first Marian Shrines in North America. The Shrine was built in 1565, and the Diocese was created 150 years ago in October, 1870. It is this reason that the Bishop desires to Consecrate the Diocese of St. Augustine to Our Blessed Mother in 2020. The initial preparation for this celebration within the diocese centers around encouraging and fostering the devotion on the part of individuals, placing our trust in Our Lady.

In August, the Tour began, as Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM and members from the St. Augustine Diocese appeared on a Radio Program (WQOP-1460AM). An explanation as to what the Tour is appears below. However, before listening to that segment of the program, the Queen of All Hearts presents several excerpts. These audios are segregated to allow the listener to hear specific aspects and topics covered in the program several times. Each excerpt is only a few minutes in length.

Totus Tuus? What Does That Actually Mean?

Totus Tuus is a phrase that has come into circulation during the last thirty years through the pontificate of Saint Pope John Paul II. It is actually a truncation and slight rephrasing of an older Latin phrase that expresses devotion to Mary. The phrase was not original to St. Louis de Montfort, but he did articulate it in his writings, and especially within the Treatise of True Devotion to Mary. The longer phrase articulated by St. Louis de Montfort is: “I Am All Yours, and All That I Have is Yours”. An expression and confirmation of Holy Slavery to Our Blessed Mother. All that we have and all that we do is Through Mary, With Mary, In Mary and For Mary. We do this so that everything we are and everything we do is Through Jesus, With Jesus, In Jesus and For Jesus…so that we may bring glory in all that we do to God the Father.

The radio broadcasts discusses the relationship to St. John Paul’s love for Mary, a strong advocate of True Devotion to Mary. This is not just a religious way to express oneself to Jesus or Mary. Jesus saved us by giving Himself Through Mary. St. Louis de Montfort states that there is no way to honor Our Lord better, then giving ourselves to Him in the same manner He gave Himself. This was understood by St. John Paul II and is the basis for the tour in the Diocese of St. Augustine: the Totus Tuus Tour. Listen to the first 4 minute audio to understand Totus Tuus.

Surrender of Self: How does one Surrender Himself and Why?

A Christen does not begin with what is sacrificed or surrendered! A Christian begins with For Whom Would I Surrender? Here then is the power. We set ourselves aside, our time aside and our energy aside. We often sacrifice for things that are less than what we are! They claim our attentions and desires. They may even cloud our vision. What is difficult is to see the goodness of our sacrifice and stop surrendering to things that diminish us. When we recognize this, we’ll surrender to One who calls for us: Our Lord.

Spiritual Life begins with laying aside our self-sufficiency allusions. We are not self-sufficient. When we face the truth, we recognize that we do need help. When this is recognized, then we can turn ourselves to the one that we need. Surrendering begins there. Listen to the remainder of this ten minute segment of the broadcast as surrender and dependency are further discussed.

Why Mary?

Why Mary? Jesus Christ! That is why one has a devotion to Mary. She is the one Through whom He came into this world. If someone asks Why Mary, then we must turn to the Lord and ask Him that question! He shows us Mary! God always chooses the most perfect way, the most loving way, the most efficient way. He does so, because He is God! He choose the most perfect way to come into the world…and her name is Mary.

Listen to the remaining (4 minutes) discussion, including Jesus’ words from the Cross, on Why Mary!

How Should One Prepare? Where Does One Start?

Where else can people turn to begin their preparation?; to begin their learning about Mary AND THE SPIRITUALITY according to St. Louis de Montfort?

Begin to pray today. Take some time today, even if just a few minutes, and pray the Memorare. Before you begin, tell the Lord that you will Trust Him. The radio show discusses how to begin, first requesting a special grace. Listen to this five minute audio.

Celebrating the Diocese St. Augustine 150 Anniversary:

As mentioned above, the Bishop desires to Consecrate the Diocese of St. Augustine to Our Blessed Mother in 2020. The initial preparation for this celebration includes encouraging and fostering the devotion on the part of individuals to place our trust in Our Lady. While the program discusses the specifics of the Tour, which are omitted in this segment, what will be celebrated and why is discussed. To celebrate this well, even though it is a year away, one must prepare with time. Hear about why its important for the spiritual lives of the members of the diocese.

Queen of All Hearts encourages all members to listen to this brief audio to understand what is going on in Florida, and to include our brothers and sisters in faith within our prayers.