Why a Consecration to Mary for Children?

This consecration is for children and has one goal: to increase devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the souls of children, so that, already in their early childhood, they will be aware of the very important role she plays in their lives as Mother and Queen. Mother, because she conceives in faith, nourishes in hope, and educates in charity. Queen, because she conquered us in union with her most loving Son. We owe everything to her: totus tuus.

According to St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, devotion to Mary is tender, “that is to say, full of confidence in her, like a child’s confidence in his beloved mother.” Therefore, devotion to Our Lady can be lived so particularly by children, who because they are young, are more in need of a mother. This devotion, then, is very appropriate for children. In addition, this devotion makes Mary “an ordinary resource,” says the saint, which makes her even more suitable for children, who constantly turn to their elders for help.

Moreover, this devotion penetrates the soul of the child and fills him with supernatural vision. It elevates his aspirations and sets him on a sure path to holiness. St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, St. John Bosco, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Padre Pio and St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort himself, were great lovers of Our Lady from childhood. Similarly, the little shepherds of Fatima are a perfect example of this tender devotion to Mary, and there are many others like them.

 

St. Louis Marie was certainly thinking of children when he wrote his famous book Treatise on True Devotion, and he had no doubt that they could become great lovers of Mary. In fact, the book is addressed “in a special way to the humble and simple.” Moreover, this true and new devotion to Mary, to be well-practiced, depends to a great extent on great docility to the Holy Spirit and on responding to his inspirations, which is very proper to children.

 

This consecration, therefore, guides children to be aware of their Marian filiation, since they can be slaves of Mary and imbibe her spirit, so as to be able to do everything through her, with her, in her, and for her.
More concretely, this prepares children to consecrate themselves to Mary in maternal slavery of love according to the spirit of St. Louis Marie.

 

How do we read it?

The children's consecration book is divided into two parts: The first part is a brief explanation of devotion to Mary according to St. Louis Marie, broadly outlining devotion to Mary and how it is practiced in five chapters. The second part is a preparation that extends over the course of twelve days, in which the child will learn something new each day about Mary, her miracles and history, the life of a saint, and will conclude with some resolution or task. In this way, the child is taught the true devotion to Mary and is prepared to consecrate himself to her in the maternal slavery of love.

 

The main purpose of the book is that the child consecrates himself or herself to Mary, hence, this second part is the most important. The first part should be read the days before beginning the preparation for the consecration
and can even be reread (or referred to) during the preparation itself. 

 

The Consecration Day

It is recommended that the consecration be on a Marian feast day and celebrated as a very special day: attending Mass and making the consecration there before an image of Our Lady, with the prayer that appears at the end of the book, or a similar one, which if possible, the child should write in his or her own handwriting. If possible, children who have already made their First Communion, should go to confession and receive the Eucharist that same day or within the days preceding their consecration.