Checkbox for Consecration

By Jillian Cooke, MTh, MAPM
Father Kolbe Missionary of the Immaculata


During a recent conversation with a group of MI members, an underlying question was evident: Am I doing it (the consecration) right? This question struck me in two ways. First of all, I was inspired by their desire to live out their consecration, be holy, and really unite their will with God's will. Secondly, I was sorry that an all too common worldview was at work: its about what we do. The consecration, set in this world view, becomes something to be done (and done right!), rather than something freeing and transforming of our very selves.

In the world of "doing," the consecration becomes something rather than a relationship and dedication to someone. Narrowing the consecration down to a list to be checked off (endorphins anyone?), we essentially put the consecration in OUR CONTROL and limit it to our human understanding and our own tangible reality. There were a couple of clear groups: those who were secure because they were checking off all the boxes and those who were insecure because they weren't or didn't know what to do. The checkboxes varied person to person, and the anxiety (or relief) increased with every box to check: miraculous medal (check), rosary (check), Mass (check), total consecration prayer (check), miraculous medal prayer (check), feelings of peace all warm and fuzzy (GASP).... wearing the miraculous medal (I DIDN'T KNOW!)...

I began to get lost in a two or three sided battle of feelings, doctrine, curiosity, and bewilderment. There was only one thing to do: demolish the checkbox mentality. Tell the truth, watch them crumble, and build them back up again.

There is no check box to ensure that you are living the consecration.

The entire room seemed to groan in dismay.  The rebuilding began:

As members of the Militia of the Immaculata you wear or carry the miraculous medal, say the miraculous medal prayer, and renew your total consecration daily. The consecration with apostolic intent requires of course that you live a life faithful to the teachings of the Church and united to Her through the sacraments - in particular Eucharist and Reconciliation.

These are MEANS to the end of sancitification and evanelization. These are means of apostolate and conversion. These are NOT THE HEART OF CONSECRATION.

The heart of consecration is surrender. We surrender our will to the will of the Immaculata, which is the Will of God. We have intentionally made ourselves a gift for the sanctification of souls, and so the surest way of living the consecration to Mary is to recognize this gift. Everything that comes from us, all that we are, all that we do, has been given to her - our life, death, and eternity. Feelings will come and go, prayers will be forgotten and resumed, life will have many ups and downs, but we are gift and she is gift, and together we go to God, bringing as many souls with us as possible. This is consecration.

Still looking for that checkbox? Surrender that need to know as well, and just ask yourself in prayer at any given moment: Is this the gift I want to be for God?