# Day 33: Putting It All Together
*2022-10-11*

> Bill Young reflects on the final day of his 33‑day Morning Glory retreat, shares a prayer of consecration to Mary, and offers a synthesis of the teachings gathered over the past weeks.

## Closing Reflections

We are at the end of the 33‑day Morning Glory retreat, a do‑it‑yourself preparation for a consecration to Our Blessed Mother, Mary. Tomorrow I will make my personal consecration, and I invite anyone who wishes to join me to consider doing the same. I am traveling to a Marian conference at Abba Maria Catholic College near Naples, Florida, on Saturday, and I ask for prayers for safe travel, good weather, and a fruitful gathering.

## Becoming Mercy‑Filled Disciples

Today's meditation comes from Pope Francis’s homily on the Year of Mercy, focusing on becoming mercy‑filled disciples. He reminds us that Jesus calls us to love one another as He loves us (John 13:34‑35). True discipleship is not about possessing something trivial, but about sharing Christ’s merciful love and entering into His works of mercy for every person. The Church, as the house that welcomes all, must keep its doors wide open, offering forgiveness and solidarity to those on the margins of society.

## Synthesizing the Retreat

Over the past four weeks we have gathered Scripture, papal teachings, and the wisdom of Marian saints. It is time to bring those insights together. While many saints have composed beautiful prayers of consecration, I have drafted a simple, repeatable prayer that incorporates the main themes of the retreat. It is meant to be a daily reminder of our commitment to Jesus through Mary.

## An Updated Prayer of Consecration

I invite you to use the following prayer, or adapt it to your own heart:

I, Bill Young, a repentant sinner, renew today the vow of my baptism before you, Immaculate Mother. I renounce Satan and resolve to follow Jesus Christ more closely than before. Mary, I give you my heart; set it ablaze with your love for Jesus. Keep my heart pure, that I may love Jesus and remember his body. I entrust to you my whole self—body, soul, interior and exterior actions. Make me an instrument of your immaculate and merciful hands, that the greatest glory may be given to God. If I fall, lift me back to Jesus. Wash me in his blood and water, and strengthen my trust in love and mercy. With you, O Immaculate Mary, who always does God’s will, I unite myself to Jesus, who offers himself for the life of the world. Amen.

## Preparing for Tomorrow

Tomorrow you may consecrate—or reconsecrate—yourself to Jesus through Mary. Choose a prayer that resonates with you, whether it is the one presented here, a traditional Marian prayer, or a personal composition. Meditate on its meaning today; this reflection will be excellent preparation for the consecration day.

*The final day of the retreat invites us to unite our hearts with Mary’s love, so that we may become true disciples of mercy.*