My wife and I are nearly three weeks into St. Louis de Montfort's Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. So far, it's been very fruitful; I'd like to mention two of the biggest fruits.
The first was something simple my wife said--yet full of impact. After reading the introduction to the first of four parts of the consecration, she said that she didn't want this to be a devotion where we do it and that nothing changes as a result.
I always want my prayers and devotions to "count" and to be done well... who doesn't? I know I can be too laid back sometimes when it comes to practicing the faith. St. Louis' consecration is meant to push us closer, deeper, & further in communion with Our Lord and Our Lady. There's nothing easy about that pushing; it takes constant effort.
Plus, it's been easy to see how seemingly external things affect my spiritual life. If I spend an excessive amount of time watching TV or playing a game on my iPad... if I'm lazy at work... if I yell too much while watching football... if I eat too much... and on and on. Those things don't merely stay on the surface--all of those things echo in our souls. Praying becomes more difficult as a result, not to mention attention at Mass.
In sum, yes. Yes, I want to be different at the conclusion of this Marian Consecration. If I can muster the effort and energy to cooperate with the graces being offered...
The second fruit was a discovery thanks to Fr. Michael Gaitley's book, 33 Days to Morning Glory. He offers reflections for each day of the consecration, using the writings of St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Bl. Teresa of Calcutta, and Bl. John Paul the awesome. For day 16 of the consecration, the reflection was more of an excerpt from one of Mother Teresa's letters. It was written to the members of her religious community in 1993. It was incredible! Please read it. It's very worth it.
"Jesus wants me to tell you again, specially in this Holy Week, how much love He has for each one of you – beyond all you can imagine. I worry some of you still have not really met Jesus – one to one – you and Jesus alone. We may spend time in chapel – but have you seen with the eyes of your soul how He looks at you with love? Do you really know the living Jesus – not from books but from being with Him in your heart? Have you heard the loving words He speaks to you? Ask for the grace, He is longing to give it. Until you can hear Jesus in the silence of your own heart, you will not be able to hear Him saying, "I thirst" in the hearts of the poor. Never give up this daily intimate contact with Jesus as the real living person – not just the idea. How can we last even one day without hearing Jesus say, "I love you" – impossible. Our soul needs that as much as the body needs to breathe the air. If not, prayer is dead – meditation only thinking. Jesus wants you each to hear Him – speaking in the silence of your heart."
St. Louis de Montfort, pray for us!