How can individuals engage in the spiritual awakening year in conjunction with the diocesan events and those in their parishes? Bishop Checchio writes, “How do we begin? We first resolve to put Jesus in the center of our life.” (Lighting a Fire in the heart of our world).
Putting Jesus in the center of one’s life is, essentially, the purpose of the consecration. In addition to all of the diocesan and parish-wide opportunities being offered this year to help bring this about, we will also offer a prayer tool for those who would like to ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to personally lead them to a deeper relationship with her Son so that they may become a more authentically committed disciple of His.
Preparing for a personal consecration entails setting aside a period of time to reflect more intensely on your relationship with God. Who is Jesus to me? Why did He come? What does it matter to me? Am I truly responding to all that God offers me? At the conclusion of the preparation period the individual makes an act of consecration by reciting a specific prayer suited to the occasion.
The particular tool being developed for our purposes entails a nine day period of spiritual preparation. Participants are asked to set these days aside to enter into a concentrated time of prayer and meditation. Each day you are invited to read, meditate and pray about the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. On the ninth day, you are invited to pray the personal consecration prayer, committing yourself to be an active Catholic, openly sharing your Catholic faith with others.
We anticipate the personal consecration resource will be available by May, Mary’s special month! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if not only you, but your family, friends and fellow parishioners decided to set nine days aside during May or thereafter, to renew your baptismal consecration and open your heart to all of the graces that Our Lady of Guadalupe wishes to obtain for you!
Keep posted for more information!