One million books to give away for FREE?
This is what happens when the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate
Conception in Stockbridge, Mass., take one of the most popular Catholic
books of the last two years —
33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration by Marian Father Michael Gaitley — and translate it into Spanish.
“Right now, we’re doing one of the largest consecration pushes ever,”
Father Gaitley says. “We decided to print a million copies of a magazine
version of the book in Spanish and give them away for free.”
Why would the Marians do this?
“Because our mission is to serve the Church where the need is
greatest,” says Father Gaitley, who is also director of the Association
of Marian Helpers and author of
Consoling the Heart of Jesus (Marian
Press). “And we believe some of the greatest pastoral need is found
among Spanish-speaking Catholics in the United States.”
Now, with
33 Dias hacia un Glorioso Amanecer so readily
available, the Spanish-speaking Catholic community will easily be able
to make their consecration to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of
Mary.
Father Gaitley’s original English version of this way of Marian
consecration has already proven hugely popular to individuals and
groups. Proof is that, since 2012, nearly a quarter of a million copies
of
33 Days to Morning Glory have already sold.
 |
A couple looks over a copy of 33 Dias hacia un Glorioso Amanecer , ready to begin their consecration to Jesus through Mary.
– Courtesy of the Marians Fathers of the Immaculate Conception |
In this book, Father Gaitley updates and simplifies St. Louis de
Montfort’s method for Marian consecration that the saint presents in his
classic
True Devotion to Mary. From this saint, we learn that
total consecration to Jesus through Mary is "the surest, easiest and
most perfect means" to become a saint, because she forms us in the image
of her Son, Jesus.
In his update, Father Gaitley includes not only St. Louis' consecration
teachings, but devotes a big portion of the book to the new, beautiful
and rich Marian consecration insights from the great 20th
-century saints devoted to Mary — St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa and Blessed John Paul II.
Bishops have attested to the beauty and effectiveness of this new approach, because
33 Days to Morning Glory was even picked up and put into practice by some dioceses.
In Peoria, Ill., Bishop Daniel Jenky wrote to all parishes, schools and
families recommending that they consider making this Marian
consecration program.
In Kansas City, Kan., Archbishop Joseph Naumann invited everyone in the
archdiocese to join him in this 33-day Marian consecration program.
Hundreds joined him and finished the program together with Mass and
consecration on April 8, 2013, this year’s feast of the Annunciation.
At the same time, this simple 33-day program is like a retreat that is
easily done at home. It is both family-friendly and individual-friendly.
All of only two pages of reading a day is all that anyone needs to do.
Now,
33 Días hacia un Glorioso Amanecer is ready to help the Spanish-speaking Catholic community do the same with ease.
Divine providence seems to have arranged the timing for this free
million-book giveaway and for the Marian Fathers latest overall efforts
to promote Marian consecration.
The initiative comes just as Pope Francis consecrated the world to the
Immaculate Heart of Mary on Oct. 13, on the anniversary of the last
apparition of Our Lady at Fatima, before the original statue of Our Lady
of the Rosary of Fatima.
Francis already had Cardinal Jose Polycarp, patriarch of Lisbon,
consecrate his pontificate to Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, the
anniversary of her first appearance there.
In light of the Pope’s consecration of the world, there is still the matter of our individual consecration.
Explaining the reason why, Father Gaitley says the Pope consecrated the
world because, effectively, it’s going to bring a lot of graces to the
world by invoking Mary, who is a motherly intercessor.
Turning to each person’s consecration, he says: “The consecration is
particularly effective for individuals, because it helps us grow in
holiness.
“John Paul II was particularly devoted to St. Louis de Montfort,
who said one of the quickest, surest, easiest ways to grow in holiness
was consecration to Jesus through Mary. And, as Vatican II said in [
Lumen Gentium, the chapter on]
The Universal Call to Holiness,
we’re all called to be saints, to be holy. Entrusting ourselves to
Jesus through Mary is one of the surest, easiest, most effective ways to
grow in that holiness.”
With
33 Días hacia un Glorioso Amanecer, Father Gaitley
says the first wave of consecration retreats begins on Nov. 9 and ends
33 days later, with each person consecrating himself and herself to
Jesus through Mary.
Since consecration to the Mary is usually timed so that the
consecration falls on one of her feast days, this initial one ends on
the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In fact, Mary appears on the cover of the Spanish edition under her
title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Another plus: Each book comes with a
beautiful, foldout image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
“We chose this image for the cover because the books
are being distributed in the United States, and the vast majority of
Spanish speakers in the United States have roots in Mexico,” says Father
Gaitley. “Our Lady of Guadalupe is extremely important in Mexican
culture and the lives of those who have roots from Mexico. And Our Lady
of Guadalupe is beloved by Spanish speakers throughout the world.”
And "Morning Glory" in the title has universal meaning, no matter the language.
“I chose this title because it best captures what Marian consecration
is all about: a new way of life in Christ,” explains Father Gaitley.
“The act of consecrating oneself to Jesus through Mary marks the
beginning of a gloriously new day, a new dawn, a brand-new morning in
one’s spiritual journey. It’s a fresh start, and it changes everythi
ng.”
Father Gaitley said the books were printed, stacked and ready to go at the beginning of October. In
just one week, all one million magazine copies were spoken for.
However, the book versions of the English and Spanish translations are still available for purchase
just contact me jkmuss@gmail.com 727-709-8649
Father Gaitley hopes to print another million magazine copies to give
away as soon as possible. To support this initiative, please call
(413) 298-1297.
