# Act of Abandonment to Mary
*2016-05-20*

> Bill Young reflects on his recent personal consecration to Mary, shares the Act of Abandonment prayer for the feast of St. Bernardine of Siena, and announces an upcoming Marian conference in Florida.

## A Personal Consecration

Yesterday I completed a three‑day DIY retreat that culminated in a personal consecration to Mary. The experience left me feeling renewed, though I still struggle with sin. The desire to improve is, I think, the first step toward true holiness. I thank Mary for allowing me to abandon myself to her and to consecrate my life to her care.

## Feast of St. Bernardine of Siena

Today is the feast of St. Bernardine of Siena (1380‑1444). He was a powerful 15th‑century preacher who could draw crowds of up to 30,000 people—an audience that would rival modern political rallies. Bernardine traveled on foot, preaching the Gospel wherever he went, and his zeal helped spread devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus throughout Italy.

## Act of Abandonment to Mary

In honor of the feast, I pray the following short prayer, taken from a booklet I received in 2007:

"O Mary, Queen of the world, Mother of goodness, with confidence in your intercession we entrust our souls to your care. Accompany us every day to the fountain of joy, give us our Savior, and we consecrate ourselves to you, O Queen of love. Amen."

May this prayer, offered with trust, draw us ever closer to Christ through Mary’s maternal protection.

## Looking Ahead: A Marian Conference

Tomorrow I will travel to the Abbey of Maria College near Naples, Florida, for a Marian conference focused on Mary and the Eucharist. Several speakers, including a guest who has been called “the next Mother Teresa,” will share insights. The event will also feature a “Saints Among Us” talk, reminding us that every soul in heaven is a saint, whether or not they have a feast day. I encourage anyone in South or Central Florida to attend.

## Prayer Requests

Please pray for me as I hope to make a pilgrimage to Rome this year, and for my wife that she may find her own path to that holy journey.

*Abandoning ourselves to Mary opens the way to deeper conversion and a more faithful response to God’s call.*