"Happy are the faithful slaves of the Queen of Heaven, for they will enjoy true freedom."

- St. Cecilia to Mother Agnes of Jesus, as quoted by St. Louis de Montfort

St. Louis de Montfort (1673 – 1716) had a profound devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and wrote extensively on the virtues of Our Lady, what true devotion to her consists in, and how the faithful need to turn to her as the way to her Son, Jesus Christ.

In his classic writings ( The Secret of Mary, The Secret of the Rosary, and True Devotion to Mary) he recommends that the faithful formally consecrate themselves to the Blessed Mother. For this end he developed a specific 33-day program consisting of various prayers and readings to help the faithful detach themselves from the world and bond themselves more closely with Christ through the example and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This 33-day program can be found in his classic work True Devotion to Mary as well as included in the links below to complete it online.

St. Louis de Montfort stands in a long tradition of saints completely devoted to Our Lady, and his work has been influential in the lives of many other saints, notable among them is Pope St. John Paul II who took his papal motto, "Totus Tuus" (Totally Yours) from de Montfort.

This "Total Consecration of Jesus through Mary" consists of an intial 12-day preparation followed by a period of three consecutive weeks, each week focusing on a different theme. It is recommended that the consecration be done on a major feast day of Our Lady, meaning that the preparation would begin 33 days prior. That is, after the 33-day program is completed, the Act of Consecration is made on a Marian feast day.

Once you make the consecration, it is for life. It can then be renewed annually. Keep in mind that this is a formal consecration to Our Lady, not unlike a vow, that is to be done in a solemn manner. Through this 33-day program you are giving Mary all of yourself - heart, mind, and soul - in order to bring you to her Son, Jesus Christ. Also that she may use you as a holy instrument in her battle with Satan - i.e. this consecration allows her the free reign in your life to make you holy (as she assists you, through the Holy Spirit, to conform to her virtues) and to use your prayers, sacrifices, and sufferings for the greater glory of God.

The Immaculate alone has from God the promise of victory over Satan. She seeks souls that will consecrate themselves entirely to her, that will become in her hands forceful instruments for the defeat of Satan and the spread of God's kingdom."

- St. Maximilian Kolbe

To Begin:

Choose a Marian feast day that is special to you. For example, the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, or the Queenship of Mary. Marian feast days abound throughout the liturgical year, and there is probably one coming up soon, no matter what time of year it is. Find a complete Marian feast day calendar here. You would begin the Total Consecration preparation 33 days prior to this feast day (the 34th day is the Marian feast, the day you will make the Act of Consecration).

Below is a list of more popular Marian feast days you could chose from that details when you would begin your preparation.

Marian Feast Day Start Date Consecration Day Our Lady of Lourdes January 9 February 11 The Annunciation February 20 March 25 Our Lady of Fatima April 10 May 13 The Visitation April 28 May 31 Immaculate Heart Saturday after Sacred Heart Saturday after Corpus Christi Our Lady of Mt. Carmel June 13 July 16 The Assumption July 13 August 15 Queenship of Mary July 20 August 22 Nativity of Mary August 6 September 8 Holy Name of Mary August 10 September 12 Our Lady of Sorrows August 13 September 15 Our Lady of the Rosary September 4 October 7 Presentation of Mary October 19 November 21 Immaculate Conception November 5 December 8 Our Lady of Guadalupe November 9 December 12 Mother of God November 29 January 1 Presentation of the Lord December 31 February 2

Next:

Use the links below to follow along with the daily readings and prayers every day for the full 33 days, according to one of the dates you have chosen above.