# Daily Consecration to Mary
*2017-05-06*

> Bill Young leads a special daily consecration to Mary in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima, recalling the martyr saints Marian and James and offering prayers for souls.

## Why This Prayer Matters

Today, May 6, we prepare for the centennial of the first apparition of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, 1917. While many are undertaking the 33‑day Marian consecration of Saint Louis de Montfort, I wanted to offer a simple daily consecration for those who have not yet begun that devotion.

## Saints Marian and James

May 6 also commemorates Saints Marian and James, martyred in 259 during the persecution of Valerian. Marian was an ordained lector and James a deacon; both gave their lives for the faith. Tradition holds that they prayed together with other Christians who were to be executed in the Coliseum, even as a lion was brought before them. Visiting the Coliseum reminds me of the courage of those early martyrs, now saints in heaven.

## The Centennial of Fatima

A recent conference on Divine Mercy Sunday highlighted the 100‑year anniversary of Fatima. Some speakers noted a striking vision: Satan asking for a hundred more years to tempt the “lukewarm” souls, a request that Christ allegedly granted. Whether literal or symbolic, the story underscores the urgency of prayer for those who have not yet embraced the Lord.

## Daily Consecration to Mary

Let us now pray together:

"Immaculate Virgin, my Mother, Mary, I renew today and forever my consecration of all my being to you, that you may dispose of me for the good of souls. Queen and Mother of the Church, I ask you to cooperate fully in your mission for the coming of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in the world. O Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you the prayers, actions, and sacrifices of this day."

My particular intention is for my prodigal son, that he may return to the Lord, love Jesus, and honor his Mother, Mary. May all of us have even a mustard‑seed of faith, so that we may move mountains for Christ.

## Invitation to Local Celebration

The centennial celebrations will begin on May 13. In South Florida, St. David’s Parish on University Road in Davie will hold a rosary at 9 a.m. followed by a special Mass at 10 a.m. All are welcome, especially those whose parishes have no Fatima events.

*By consecrating ourselves to Mary, we join the saints in praying for the conversion of souls and the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom.*