Prayers for the First Week of the Total Consecration, it's not too late to start!

We now enter into the “first week” of the preparation for the Total Consecration (days 13 through 19 of the 33 before the act of consecration). This week runs from Monday, March 5^th through Sunday, March 11^th.

If you have not done so well with the prayers over the first twelve days, do not be discouraged! It is still possible to make the Consecration on March 26^th (The Solemnity of Assumption, this year). St. Louis-Marie did not specifically require any prayers or particular acts of devotion for the first twelve days, but only states that we are to rid ourselves of the spirit of the world – this is precisely what we all have been doing through these first days of Lent!

Thus, there is still time to begin the preparation. So long as you start saying the prayers today (i.e. Monday), you will be fulfilling all that St. Louis de Montfort required. Further, even if you happen to forget to say the prayers on any given day, do not become despondent – what de Montfort really desires is that we spend these thirty-three days in giving ourselves over more and more fully to the Blessed Mother.

The schedule for the Total Consecration this Lent

22 February, Ash Wednesday - Begin the first 12 days (renounce the spirit of the world)

5 March, Monday - Begin week 1 (knowledge of self)

12 March, Monday - Begin week 2 (knowledge of Mary)

19 March, Monday - Begin week 3 (knowledge of Jesus)

26 March, Monday - Act of Consecration on the Solemnity of the Annunciation

“During the first week they should offer up all their prayers and acts of devotion to acquire knowledge of themselves and sorrow for their sins.”

(St. Louis de Montfort, True Devotion n. 228)

Prayers, examinations, reflection, acts of renouncement of our own will, of contrition for our sins, of contempt of self, all performed at the feet of Mary, for it is from her that we hope for light to know ourselves. It is near her, that we shall be able to measure the abyss of our miseries without despairing.

We should employ all our pious actions in asking for a knowledge of ourselves and contrition of our sins: and we should do this in a spirit of piety. During this period, we shall consider not so much the opposition that exists between the spirit of Jesus and ours, as the miserable and humiliating state to which our sins have reduced us. Moreover, the True Devotion being an easy, short, sure and perfect way to arrive at that union with Our Lord which is Christ-like perfection, we shall enter seriously upon this way, strongly convinced of our misery and helplessness. But how attain this without a knowledge of ourselves'?

Prayers said every day during this week (March 5^th – 11^th):

Litany of the Holy Spirit, Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ave Maris Stella

Litany of the Holy Spirit (For private use only)

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Father all-powerful, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us.

Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us.

Holy Trinity, hear us.

Holy Spirit, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.

Holy Spirit, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.

Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.

Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us.

Author of all good, [etc.]

Source of heavenly water Consuming fire

Ardent charity

Spiritual unction

Spirit of love and truth

Spirit of wisdom and understanding

Spirit of counsel and fortitude

Spirit of knowledge and piety

Spirit of the fear of the Lord

Spirit of grace and prayer

Spirit of peace and meekness

Spirit of modesty and innocence

Holy Spirit, the Comforter

Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier

Holy Spirit, Who governest the Church

Gift of God, the Most High

Spirit Who fillest the universe

Spirit of the adoption of the children of God

Holy Spirit, inspire us with horror of sin.

Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth.

Holy Spirit, shed Thy light in our souls.

Holy Spirit, engrave Thy law in our hearts.

Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.

Holy Spirit, open to us the treasures of Thy graces.

Holy Spirit, teach us to pray well.

Holy Spirit, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.

Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of salvation.

Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge.

Holy Spirit, inspire in us the practice of good.

Holy Spirit, grant us the merits of all virtues.

Holy Spirit, make us persevere in justice.

Holy Spirit, be Thou our everlasting reward.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Spirit.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.

V. Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,

R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Let us pray. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.

God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, [etc.]

God, the Holy Spirit,

Holy Trinity, One God,

Holy Mary, Pray for us.

Holy Mother of God, [etc.]

Holy Virgin of virgins,

Mother of Christ,

Mother of divine grace,

Mother most pure,

Mother most chaste,

Mother inviolate,

Mother undefiled,

Mother most amiable,

Mother most admirable,

Mother of good counsel,

Mother of our Creator,

Mother of our Savior,

Virgin most prudent,

Virgin most venerable,

Virgin most renowned,

Virgin most powerful,

Virgin most merciful,

Virgin most faithful,

Mirror of justice,

Seat of wisdom,

Cause of our joy,

Spiritual vessel,

Vessel of honor,

Singular vessel of devotion,

Mystical rose,

Tower of David,

Tower of ivory,

House of gold,

Ark of the covenant,

Gate of Heaven,

Morning star,

Health of the sick,

Refuge of sinners,

Comforter of the afflicted,

Help of Christians,

Queen of Angels,

Queen of Patriarchs,

Queen of Prophets,

Queen of Apostles,

Queen of Martyrs,

Queen of Confessors,

Queen of Virgins,

Queen of all Saints,

Queen conceived without Original Sin,

Queen assumed into Heaven,

Queen of the most holy rosary,

Queen of Peace.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

v. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

r. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ave Maris Stella

Hail, O Star of the ocean,

God's own Mother blest,

ever sinless Virgin,

gate of heav'nly rest.  

Taking that sweet Ave,

which from Gabriel came,

peace confirm within us,

changing Eve's name.

Break the sinners' fetters,

make our blindness day,

Chase all evils from us,

for all blessings pray.

Show thyself a Mother,

may the Word divine

born for us thine Infant

hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,

mildest of the mild,

free from guilt preserve us

meek and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,

make our way secure

till we find in Jesus,

joy for evermore.

Praise to God the Father,

honor to the Son,

in the Holy Spirit,

be the glory one. Amen.