# Consecration to Jesus Christ, Incarnate Wisdom, through Mary
*2016-12-29*

> Bill Young reflects on the state of the world and the need for prayer before leading a formal consecration to Jesus Christ using the formula of St. Louis de Montfort.

## Reflections on a Violent World

As we approach February, the month dedicated to the Holy Spirit, I find it necessary to pause and reflect on the news and the state of our world. We see demonstrations at airports and a great deal of outrage from famous actors and politicians. While I am in favor of freedom, we must be careful about what we are asking for. It is puzzling to me that I didn't hear this same outrage when Americans were killed in Orlando, San Bernardino, Boston, or on 9/11. We have become almost immune to shootings and death; it feels like just another day.

I think about the attacks in Montreal and the complexities of refugees. While welcoming refugees is a good thing in theory, they must be vetted. There are people out there who believe killing has no consequence. We must remember the commandment 'Thou shall not kill.' When people question where God is in the midst of such carnage, we must realize that God works through prayer, while those who deny Him often do the work of the enemy.

## The Purpose of Consecration

Today, I am leading a special prayer: the Consecration to Jesus Christ, Incarnate Wisdom, through Mary. This formula was written by St. Louis de Montfort. I pray this not only for myself but also for my son, Gregory, my prodigal son, in the hope that one day he will pray this himself. I also pray for those who are currently struggling to believe that God even exists. I hope this prayer reaches those who are searching for the truth.

## The Prayer of Consecration

Eternal and Incarnate Wisdom, most lovable and adorable Jesus, True God and true man, only Son of the Eternal Father and of Mary, always Virgin, I adore You profoundly, dwelling in the splendor of Your Father from all eternity and in the virginal womb of Mary, Your most worthy mother, at the time of Your Incarnation. I thank You for having emptied Yourself in assuming the condition of a slave to set me free from the eternal, cruel slavery of the evil one. I praise and glorify You for having willingly chosen to obey Mary. Through Your holy mother, in all things, may I be a faithful slave of love.

But I must confess that I have not kept the vows and promises which I made to You so solemnly at my baptism. I have not fulfilled my obligations, and I do not deserve to be called Your child, or even Your loving slave. Since I cannot lay claim to anything except what merits Your rejection and displeasure, I dare no longer approach the holiness of Your majesty on my own. This is why I turn to the intercession and mercy of Your holy mother, to whom You Yourself have given me a mandate. Through her, I hope to obtain Your pardon for my sins and the Wisdom which I desire to dwell in me always.

I turn to you then, Mary, Immaculate, living in the tabernacle of God. The Eternal Wisdom hidden in you wills to receive the adoration of both men and angels. I greet you as Queen of heaven and earth; all that is loved by God is made subject to your sovereignty. I call to you as an unfailing refuge of sinners. In your mercy, you have never forsaken anyone. I, William Young, an unfaithful sinner, renew and ratify today my baptismal promise. I renounce forever Satan and his empty promises and his evil designs. I give myself completely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him for the rest of my life, and to be more faithful to Him than I have been until now.

With the whole court of heaven as my witness, I choose you, Mary, as my mother and my queen. I surrender and consecrate myself to you, body and soul, with all that I possess, both spiritually and materially, including the spiritual value of all my actions, past, present, and to come. I give to you the full right to dispose of me without any reservations, in whatever way you believe is for the greater glory of God in time and throughout eternity. Finally, accept, gracious Virgin, this little offering of my slavery to honor and to imitate that obedience which Eternal Wisdom willingly chose to have towards you. I wish to acknowledge the authority which both you and Jesus have over this pitiful sinner. I solemnly declare that in the future I will try to honor and obey you in all things as your true slave of love.

O admirable mother, present me to your dear Son as His slave now and for always, so that He who redeems me through you will now receive me through you. Mother of mercy, grant me the favor of obtaining the true wisdom of God. Teach, guide, nourish, and protect me as your child and slave. Virgin most faithful, make me a committed disciple, an imitator, and a slave of Jesus, so that by your intercession and example, I may become fully mature in the fullness which Jesus possessed on earth and in the fullness of His glory in heaven. Amen.

## Closing Petitions

As we conclude, I encourage you to pray every day. Let us pray for our leaders: President Trump, Vice President Pence, and the members of the cabinet. I also ask for your prayers for the new Supreme Court nominee to be announced tomorrow, as we greatly need God's help in the Supreme Court of the United States.

*Through the intercession of Mary and the formula of St. Louis de Montfort, we can renew our baptismal promises and surrender ourselves fully to the Incarnate Wisdom of Jesus Christ.*