May is traditionally the month of Mary. Father Fitzgerald left us a rich legacy of his devotion to the Mother of God. The main Church at our Motherhouse in Jemez Springs is under the patronage of Mary, Mother of Priests. In this issue of Priestly People I would like to share with you, our readers, some thoughts on Mary and her importance in our life and devotion as a Priestly People.

In October of the Millennium Jubilee Year, Pope John Paul II led over 1400 Bishops and 76 Cardinals from around the world in an Act of Entrustment to Mary. In a similar consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, several years ago, the Holy Father encouraged that such a consecration be repeated throughout the world.

What is "Consecration"?

Consecration is an act by which something or someone is dedicated to God. A Church is consecrated to God, clerics are consecrated to God, virgins are consecrated to God, etc. Ultimately, someone or something can only be consecrated to God. Is it appropriate then to speak of consecration to Mary?

While we can consecrate ourselves ultimately only to God, there are many ways in which we can do this. The first and most important way is by Baptism, which makes us sons and daughters of God. After Baptism we can further consecrate ourselves in other ways: by taking religious vows, by becoming priests, by remaining single, or by marriage. In the case of marriage the consecration is through a loving and faithful union with another person.

Consecration to Mary would be another way of deepening our baptismal consecration to God. Two notable proponents of consecration to Mary are St. Louis Marie de Montfort and Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II consecrated his Pontificate to Mary under the title "Totus Tuus" or "Totally Yours." For those who are dedicated in some way to the Paraclete apostolate of helping Priests and Brothers, consecration to Mary has special meaning.

First of the Priestly People

Mary was not an ordained Priest, of course, but she had a key role to play in Christ’s Priesthood. As such, she is a good example for the Priestly People. She could be said to be the first of Christ’s Priestly People.

We can see a number of ways in which Mary is the first to be involved with and assist Christ in His priestly mission. The Good News of Christ’s coming and His salvation was first preached to and believed in by Mary.

In Her Body Was The Body of Christ

In her own body she prepared the Body of Christ, which would be sacrificed for the salvation of all. In her womb her blood became the Blood of Christ. She brought Christ to John the Baptist who experienced the joy of Christ’s presence before his birth and later became His herald. Mary and Joseph made the first presentation of Christ to the Father in the Temple. In the Gospels, she was the first person to ask Christ for a miracle, which occurred at the beginning of his public ministry.

Mary was present at the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary and with a heart pierced with immense sorrow offered her Son to the Father. She was present and prayed with the Apostles as they waited the promised Holy Spirit who would enable them to carry out Christ’s priestly mission to the world.

Assisting Christ

Mary prepared for and accompanied Christ in major steps along the way of His Priesthood. By consecrating ourselves to Mary, as a Priestly People, we can better assist Christ as He exercises His Priesthood through ordained Priests and through His Priestly People.

Leading to God

It is clear that any genuine form of consecration to Mary does not stop with her, but leads to God. When we dedicate our life and vocation to God, through the hands of Mary, she works along with us - as His Handmaid - to see that our offering of ourselves is purified in love like hers.

There are two prayers that Fr. Gerald Fitzgerald, s.P., Founder of the Servants of the Paraclete, asked us to say each day as part of our Morning Offering. One is an act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit, and the other is an act of Consecration to Mary.

Act of Consecration to Mary

O Mary, Mother of the Incarnate Word and our sweetest Mother, we are here at your feet as a new day arises - another great gift of the Lord. We place in your hands and in your heart our whole being. We will be yours in will, in thought, in heart, and in body. Do you with motherly kindness form in us this day a new life, the life of Jesus. Direct and accompany, O Queen of Heaven, even our least action with your motherly inspiration, so that all may be pure and acceptable at the moment of the holy and immaculate Sacrifice. Make us holy, O good Mother; holy as Jesus has commanded us to be, and as your heart asks and so ardently desires. Amen.