Prayerfully consider a total consecration

For much of my life, I would say I have had a certain Marian spirituality, which was fostered by my recitation of the Rosary. This grew over time to include other Marian practices such as the First Saturday devotion, the wearing of the Brown Scapular and Miraculous Medal, and so on. I also had a profound experience when I visited Medjugorje in the 1980s.
 
However, it was not until seven years ago that I did the "Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary." It was actually on my 80th birthday —which happens to be the Feast of the Annunciation — that I finally made the consecration.
 
Many of you are much more familiar with this consecration than I am, but I hope this may inspire or prompt someone else to prayerfully consider this spiritual practice. I used the traditional 33-Day Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary according to St. Louis Marie de Montfort. I am also well aware of Fr. Michael Gaitley’s book, 33 Days to Morning Glory, which is, in a sense, a modern-day version of the consecration. In his book, Fr. Gaitley walks the reader through Marian spirituality through the writings of St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and Pope St. John Paul II.
 
Both of these books take the reader through 33 days of preparation for the consecration through a combination of spiritual readings and prayers to deepen one’s understanding of and devotion to Jesus through Mary.
 
As CEOs, we are constantly seeking the best or most efficient way to accomplish our goals. As Catholics, our goal is union with God, so why not approach this goal in the same way? Many saints have said that this Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary is the easiest, shortest, and most secure way of attaining that goal. Certainly there are other ways, but if this is the best way, who am I to argue?
 
Finally, I am reminded of two of my modern-day heroes, Pope St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta, each of whom attributed so much to this total consecration.  I think that is testimony enough. But do not take my word for it: let me encourage you to try it for yourself.