What does it mean to entrust yourself to Mary?

Advent is a time of reflection, so these last few weeks I’ve been looking back at how I’ve grown spiritually and rooted deeper in my faith this past year – as I’m certain you have as well. What a gift!

This fall, I completed my first Marian consecration retreat with many of my fellow parishioners. Guided by Fr. Michael Gaitley’s book 33 Days to Morning Glory, we embarked on a six-week journey of giving ourselves totally to Jesus through his Blessed Mother and ours. Though it sounds complicated and perhaps a little heretical – how can you be consecrated to anyone other than God? – we have many saints and popes who have instituted and upheld this practice for over hundreds of years, starting with St. Louis de Monfort, who wrote about Marian consecration in his book, True Devotion to Mary, in 1712.

Each week consisted of recorded talks with Fr. Michael, group discussions and reflections on our daily readings; it was a far richer and more meaningful experience than when I first read True Devotion to Mary on my own a few months ago.

Some of my favourite lessons came at the end of each weekly session, where a member from our community would share their testimony on how the experience of consecration to Jesus through Mary shaped their life.

Consecration to Mother Mary is a calling and gift intended for each one of us. It’s a personal journey with Christ through devotion to his mother; an act of total entrustment and surrender – and it comes with free blessings!

One evening in our retreat, our guest speaker was a dear Carmelite sister. She gave a beautiful and perfect summary of entrustment and consecration to the Virgin Mary, and what that meant for her personally, rooted in scripture and her deep, abounding faith.

I’m so grateful she gave me permission to share her words here in their entirety, especially as we prepare our hearts to receive Jesus this Christmas.

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Entrustment and consecration to the Virgin Mary

Testimony by a Carmelite sister

A Testimony of Entrustment and consecration to the Virgin Mary is a personal and public act of giving my entire life, will, intellect and all possessions to the Blessed Mother for her to guide it to Jesus

It's not just a prayer but a complete offering, signifying a desire for Mary's motherly guidance and intercession to live a life of holiness and greater love for God

This act of consecration is deeply rooted in Marian spirituality, as a path to a deeper relationship with Jesus.

What it means to be Consecrated to Mary

It involves entrusting everything to Mary, including my past, present and future; my strengths and weaknesses and even the desires of my heart. 

It establishes a deep, personal relationship where Mary becomes a spiritual mother and an advocate. 

The purpose is to be presented to Jesus by Mary, who is considered the most perfect, easiest and shortest way to her Son. 

Living by Her example

The act serves as a commitment to live according to Mary's life of love, goodness and sanctity, imitating her faithfulness to God's will. 

It is understood that grace and spiritual growth come through Mary's intercession and hands, as she acts as a mother in the order of grace. 

This often involves a period of preparation, such as a retreat, prayer and meditation, during which I reflect on my life and relationship with God. 

A time of examining my life, commitments and desires to be truly ready for the profound offering. 

After the act of consecration, I commit to a daily life of devotion, such as praying the Rosary, to continue the journey of following Mary's guidance. 

I feel a renewed sense of purpose, inner peace and a deepened faith after living with Mary’s entrustment

I often share how Mary's presence provides comfort and strength in times of trial and how her intercession has led to small "miracles" or moments of God's grace in my life.

Giving myself entirely to Mary, to let her mould me into a better instrument for her Son, intrigued me. I felt a deep longing for a more intimate relationship with Jesus and felt a stronger sense of peace. The prospect of having a perfect mother to guide me on the journey to holiness was a grace I couldn't ignore.

It was a challenging but profound experience. I felt drawn more deeply into the hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Possessing Mary was a turning point in my life, and I felt a deep sense of peace. My life has been transformed in several ways:

• Increased closeness to Jesus, giving myself to Mary has been the quickest and surest way to grow closer to her Son

• Through her guidance, I find myself with a deeper hunger for the Eucharist and a renewed love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament

• Drawn to a deeper prayer life; a stronger sense of purpose and peace: I no longer feel the burden of trying to be holy on my own

• Entrusting all my actions and prayers to Mary allows me to let go and trust that she will present my gifts to her Son in the most perfect way

• In moments of struggle, I call out to her and I can feel her maternal presence guiding me and lifting me up

• Healing and forgiveness have helped me address certain weaknesses and grow in virtue

• I am more aware of my transgressions and have developed a greater sense of patience and forgiveness toward others (especially those who provoke me to sin)

• She has transformed my mistakes into beauty and my struggles into opportunities for grace

My story is ultimately God's story, and I am grateful for the profound peace and joy that come from being consecrated to our Blessed Mother. 

It is a powerful and reliable path to a deeper relationship with Jesus. 

Become an absolute possession and property of the Virgin Mary

I believed that by becoming completely hers, I could be a more effective instrument in extending the kingdom of God.

By relying on her boundless mercy, she increased my confidence in her.

Trusting her completely in moments of difficulty, she strengthened me against evil. Mary provides special protection against evil. A feeling of intense peace and grace I experience. She envelops me under the mantle of her protection.

Honouring Mary was a way to show attachment to Christ, our “Master,” better; recognizing her as the one who brought forth our Lord. 

Mary fosters a childlike confidence in me, prompting my soul to turn to our "good Mother" in all necessities, both physical and spiritual.

It is really rooted in the Scriptures themselves, especially the words of Jesus from the Cross spoken to his Mother and to the beloved disciple (John 19:25-27).

When Jesus saw his mother and disciple, whom he loved, standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son. Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own home.

The Redeemer entrusts Mary to John because he entrusts John to Mary. At the foot of the Cross, there begins that special entrusting of humanity to the Mother of Christ.

Consecration to Mary begins building a bridge of faith that comes from the prayer key that I hold in my heart. So, I experienced a glimpse of God’s mercy, and Mother Mary became a roadmap, a turning point, a key of grace, unlocking my pride into a chain of mercy. It’s a torrent of hope rooted in prayer, a furnace that burns with love that lights on the path that bears inexhaustible fruits, and nothing is wasted when it’s offered in love.

I navigate in the ocean of God’s grace, in relationship with Mary. What I plant today will harvest tomorrow with a child-like clarity. I received comfort, relief and strength from her. Ultimately, I proclaim that my soul magnifies the Lord, your kindness, as I echo her thankful hymn of praise.

As a special bonus...

Here are her top 10 tips to live a more holy life:

1. God is always fighting for you

2. God will surely make a way.

3. God’s love never fails

4. God knows what’s best for us. Trust Him

5. Even in the waiting, He is at work.

6. God will lead you to the right people.

7. What God takes away, He will replace with something new.

8. Put God first, and everything else will follow.

9. People may let you down, but God never will.

10.  You will be alright, better days are coming. God is doing something wonderful.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace….

Our Lady of Carmel, pray for us!