Bishop Jenky of Peoria IL recommends 33 Days to Morning Glory

Go to the Virgin Mary: Marian Consecration

Re-double Your Spiritual Efforts Through Devotion to the Blessed Virgin

Bishop Daniel Jenky

To the Priests, Deacons, Religious Educators, Pastoral Leaders and Faithful of the Diocese of Peoria:

My Dear Brothers and Sisters:

I hope that over my 10 years as your bishop, my love for Our Lady, as has yours, has been abundantly clear: I have convoked a number of Rosary Congresses, declared a Year of the Rosary, dedicated a Festival Letter to our Lady as well as countless homilies and talks, I asked that her image as our Mother of Perpetual Help be enshrined in our parishes and schools, even as I re-consecrated our entire diocese to her patronage when I solemnly enthroned her icon in our Cathedral.

I again turn to her and I ask you to do the same.

It has never been easy to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. In fact, our Savior warns that the world will hate us if we love Him. The attacks of this world, the flesh and devil seem particularly ferocious in this current moment. Several months ago, I asked that we not lose sight of the spiritual nature of this battle when I directed that the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel should be invoked at every Sunday Mass for the protection of the Catholic Church in America. I now ask us to re-double our spiritual efforts through devotion to the Blessed Virgin.

The Immaculate Mother of God is the Patroness of the United States and our own Local Church. The Pope has personally consecrated the world to her protection, and that invocation has been renewed by the bishops of our country, as I have done as well for our diocese following the example of Archbishop Schlarman. I encourage each of our parishes, schools, and families to consider a similar devotion to Our Lady. We turn to her to protect our country, to guide our leaders, and to turn our hearts to her Son.

There are many ways to grow in devotion to our Lady. The scriptural meditation of the Rosary is perhaps the finest. Likewise, there are many methods of Marian Consecration.  We are recommending “33 Days to Morning Glory” by Father Michael Gaitly, MIC, to our parishes, schools, CCD and adult education programs.  The traditional 30-day consecration could very appropriately begin in our schools and families in early September in order to culminate on the Feast of the Holy Rosary on Oct. 5.

But no matter what book or formula may be used, I feel it very important that we turn to our Lady to help us and our country during these coming months. We can take comfort that her Immaculate Heart will triumph!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, CSC
Bishop of Peoria

St Anastasia group consecrates on the Feast of the Assumption

Sue Kuyawa facilitated a group of 20 women from  St. Anastasia in Fort Pierce, Florida using Fr. Michael Gaitley's 33 Days to Morning Glory book, Retreat Companion and DVDs.  Sue writes that the entire experience from beginning to end was "absolutely beautiful in every way."  She's looking forward to doing another group soon.  Possibly 3-5 people from the group will go on to host small groups of their own.

 

The  picture at left, is just some group who consecrated after the Vigil Mass on Wednesday night August 14; there were others from the group that consecrated at the Thursday morning Mass August 15 

To Jesus through Mary!

 

St. Maximilian Kolbe

St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Martyr for Charity

By Chris Sparks (Aug 12, 2013)

from: https://secure.marianweb.net/allheartsafire.org/news/story.php?NID=5449

For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. — Romans 5:6-8

It takes a great deal of courage and an even greater quantity of love to volunteer to die for another person, as did St. Maximilian Kolbe, whose feast day we celebrate Aug. 14. A Polish Franciscan, Fr. Kolbe was the founder of the Militia Immaculata and had established a major printing and radio apostolate dedicated to bringing all the world to Jesus through Mary. During the Nazi occupation of Poland, he was arrested and thrown into the Auschwitz prison camp, where he lived a life of outstanding Christian charity. He was truly a "practicing Catholic" — practicing throughout his ministry and imprisonment the sort of self-sacrifice that made him outstanding in death.

But the sacrifice becomes almost inconceivable when you realize Fr. Maximilian didn't know Franciszek Gajowniczek, the man for whom he would lay down his life. And yet he made the sacrifice. One prisoner had escaped. The Nazi guards at the camp had decided 10 must die in his place, and so they counted. Gajowniczek was the tenth. He fell to his knees in the midst of his fellow prisoners and begged for his life, talked about his wife and children, his sons, his beloved sons ...

And there was Fr. Kolbe stepping forward, hat in hand, to offer his life for a complete stranger.

The guards took him up on the offer. They put 10 men into a small room to slowly starve to death. And what did those men do? They sang. They prayed. They died in joy — all because Maximilian Kolbe was there, all because one among them wasn't losing his life, but giving it to the last ounce of his strength, giving them life, love, and hope.

And finally the Nazis had had enough. They sent in guards to administer carbolic acid to the last man standing in that terrible place — Fr. Kolbe, who extended his arm peacefully for the injection and died with joy.

Such is the life, the work, and the heart of a person who has given everything to Mary — they come to resemble her first Son, her only biological Son, very closely. They pour out their lives for others, knowing that all of mankind are brethren, whether they've accepted Christ's redeeming sacrifice or not. Saint Maximilian Kolbe could die as a martyr of charity because he had lived as an icon of Christ's charity. As he lived, so he died — and entered in God's own eternal life.

Let us pray that, through our total consecration to Jesus through Mary, the Immaculata, we may learn to love God and neighbor like St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Apostle of Marian Consecration.

St. Leonard parish in Laona Wisconsin to begin Consecration September 4th

Cindy Beairl will be leading a group through the 33 Days to Morning Glory retreat at St. Leonards in Laona WI. The group plans to consecrate on October 7, 2013.

St Leonard Catholic Church
5330 Beech St
Laona WI 54541

33 Days to Morning Glory Now available in SPANISH~33 Días hacia un Glorioso Amanecer

33 Days to Morning Glory is now available in Spanish. 

We are excited to offer special PARISH pricing on this book, just email me for details, jkmuss@gmail.com

The DVDs and Retreat Companions are NOT YET available in Spanish, only the book itself. 

Lighthouse Catholic Media partners with the Marians of the Immaculate Conception

Father Michael Gaitley, MIC, the director of the Association of Marian Helpers,signs an agreement with Mark Middendorf, co-founder of Lighthouse. Lighthouse and the Marians forged a relationship whereby Marian materials are now being offered through Lighthouse kiosks in 5,000 parishes throughout North America.

by Felix Carroll

CLICK HERE FOR full story in Marian Helper Magazine.

Catechesis by kiosk. It plays a huge role in the Church’s evangelization efforts. Now, by the grace of God, the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception are at the fore front of it.

The kiosks in question are those in the back of many churches that,traditionally, hold CDs, pamphlets,booklets, and books on such topics as the Sacraments, forgiveness, devotions, and prayers.Parishioners are invited to avail themselves of the materials. God seems to do the rest.

Take, for instance, one young man who was contemplating suicide.Then, he listened to a CD obtained from a Lighthouse Catholic Media church kiosk. It helped to save his life, and he recently entered the seminary.

“If someone says one CD can’t make a difference,we have story after story of how God uses it to change people’s lives,” says Mark Middendorf, co-founder of Lighthouse.

This brings us to one of the most exciting initiatives in recent years for the Marian Fathers. Earlier this year, Lighthouse and the Marians forged a relationship whereby Marian materials are now being offered through Lighthouse kiosks.

The Marians will benefit from Lighthouse’s presence in more than 5,000 parishes throughout North America. Indeed,since Lighthouse’s founding eight years ago, it has distributed more than 8 million CDs alone that feature such names as Dr. Scott Hahn, Matthew Kelly, and Fr.Robert Barron.

“This is truly Divine Providence at work for us,” says Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC,the director of the Association of Marian Helpers.

Clearly, not a coincidence

As Fr .Michael suggests, Divine Providence stands as the only credible explanation for  the collaboration with Lighthouse. A little more than a year ago, Mark Middendorf had never heard of Fr. Michael.But in a single day, two people gave him Fr. Michael’s best selling book 33 Days to Morning Glory  and recommended that Lighthouse distribute it. That very same day, Mark also received an e-mail from someone praising the book.

“I try to be open to the Holy Spirit,” Mark says. So he decided to call his good friend, Terry Barber, a fellow co-founder of Lighthouse and founder of Saint Joseph’s Communications. “Terry,” said Mark, “what can you tell me about Fr. Michael Gaitley? Do you know him?” “Know him?” responded Terry. “I’m having lunch with him today.” And so the relationship began. That the connection came about through 33 Days to Morning Glory—a do-it-yourself retreat of consecration to Jesus through Mary—could not have been coincidence either. It so happens Mark had been encouraging all of his employees, including Lighthouse’s 600 plus account managers throughout the country,to make either St. Louis de Montfort’s or St.Maximilian Kolbe's famous Marian consecration.

That was before he read 33 Days, which he now promotes.

In addition, Mark has a devotion to Divine Mercy,such that each week day,the employees at Lighthouse's head quarters in Sycamore,Ill., pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet together at 3 p.m. “The Marians and we at Lighthouse share a common mission,” says Mark. “This is all an answer to my prayers.”

A great demand for Divine Mercy 

Here is how the kiosk program works: For a nominal fee, parishes purchase materials through Lighthouse and then offer the materials for a suggested donation to parishioners. Anticipating a huge hunger for the Marians’ Divine Mercy materials, Lighthouse has introduced a new Divine Mercy Resources module that fits on to its free standing kiosks. In addition, the kiosks now promote the Marians’ new Hearts Afire initiative—a small-group, parish-based, faith renewal program inspired by Blessed John Paul II’s call for a “new evangelization.”  “God has given us a great gift through our partnership with Lighthouse,” says Fr .Michael.

To order copies of 33 Days to Morning Glory or the Hearts Afire parish program resources, 

email Julie Musselman at jkmuss@gmail.com

Ohio Youth Director gives testimony on 33 Days Consecration

...like any good mother,
Mary wants to help her children on earth. 

It was June 2001, I was a sophomore in high school and I was serving as a Teen Leader at Extreme Faith Camp, when I stumbled across a book that would forever change my life. I had been praying that God would take me deeper in my faith when my eye caught sight of a small book titled, "Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary" by Saint Louis de Montfort.

Upon opening the book I discovered that it was a 30 day spiritual exercise. I immediately committed to beginning on the next start date (July 13). When that day came I woke up early with excitement to attend Mass and begin my journey to consecration. I knew this was a special time in my life, but I had no idea just how powerful this spiritual exercise would be.

For thirty days I prayed the consecration prayers and the rosary, and read the insightful works of St. Louis about "true devotion to Mary." I learned of Mary's virtue and my heart burned to follow her example of true womanhood and holiness. It was the first time that I had ever considered Mary as MY Mother.

I was learning of her maternal love for me and of her desire to lead me to the heart of her Son. As I slowly gave my heart over to Mary, I fell more in love with Jesus. As any good mother would, Mary was helping me to discover God's plan for my life.

On August 15 (the Feast of the Assumption), I concluded my first Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary with Mass. I felt like a completely new person and my spiritual life had a depth that I hadn't known before. "To Jesus through Mary" became my new life motto. There was only one thing left to do... so I went out for ice cream to celebrate!

Looking back, I know that picking up that book twelve years ago was a momentous life changing event. It propelled me into a journey of faith, a journey that became the foundation for every major life decision I would make. The "Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary" has been revised and expanded since I first stumbled across it. The "33 Days to Morning Glory" book is based on St. Louis de Montfort's original consecration but also adds wisdom from other modern saints.

I am looking forward to renewing my consecration to Jesus through Mary this summer with this new book. I anticipate with joy journeying deeper in faith with Mary at my side. I hope that you will consider joining us. Take a leap of faith and you may find that Mary is waiting to bring you to a new depth in your faith life. She waits to journey with us closer to the heart of her Son, deeper into holiness, and to a renewed vision of God's plan for our lives.   

- testimony of Youth Director coordinating parish-wide consecration with 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Gaitley through Lighthouse Catholic Media

Email me to bring the consecration to Jesus through Mary, to your parish  jkmuss@gmail.com

Parishioners at St. James in Kenosha WI to consecrate August 22

Ann Whiteside is leading a group of parishioners from St. James in Kenosha WI through the Marian Consecration. The group will meet July 8 to pick up materials and will consecrate on August 22, the feast of the Queenship of Mary.

St. Lawrence group to begin 33 Days to Morning Glory July 13

Mary Kennedy is leading a group at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Tampa to consecrate to Jesus through Mary on August 15. She is excited to have 15 people already say "yes." If you would like to join the great folks at St. Lawrence or start your own group, please contact me at jkmuss@gmail.com

July 13 and July 20 are both upcoming start dates. Many people like to do a small group over the summer to get a feel for how it all works and then roll it out parish-wide in the fall/winter.

Consoling the Heart of Jesus by Fr. Michael Gaitley

Consoling the Heart of Jesus is now available from Lighthouse Catholic Media.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE BOOK ALONE for just $13.46 (retail $14.95)

Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, has given us a very special gift in his thoughtful and prayerful "Do-It-Yourself Retreat." He brings together several spiritual traditions and blends them in the pattern of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. We will find inspiration in the quotations from the saints that he gathers carefully and in his deep, but humble, understanding of the principles of holiness that they proclaim. This is a good way for a soul to begin the journey in responding to the call to embrace the Divine Mercy of the Lord.

Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ: "This book is a form of a weekend retreat accessible at the beginning stages of a simple way to holiness. These hearts are "restless until they rest in Thee, Lord," and this book guides them on a journey to resting in God."

See all the resources to offer this in a small group setting by CLICKING HERE.