33 Days to Morning Glory - Michael E. Gaitley A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration

33 Days to Morning Glory: 
A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration
Michael E. Gaitley
Marian Press
ASIN B00DJDZMXK
ISBN 9781596142442

This was the third book by Father Michael E. Gaitley that I have read this year, but my introduction to his writing was his piece in the collection Beautiful Mercy. But this book I worked through with a group on facebook. This book is an incredible read. Often when writing reviews of non-fiction books I will draw a few quotes from the book that I highlighted while reading the book. But during my first read through of this book I highlighted 78 passages.  

In this book Father Gaitley looks at the history of Marian consecration through three sets of eyes, first through the historical eyes of St. Luis de Montfort, and next those of St. Maximilian Kolbe and finally St. Mother Teresa. Working throught this book either in a group or individually will be an amazing experience.

The sections in this book are:
In Gratitude
Acknowledgements
Introduction
WEEK ONE: St. Louis de Montfort
WEEK TWO: St. Maximilian Kolbe
WEEK THREE: Blessed Mother Teresa
WEEK FOUR: Blessed John Paul II
FINAL FIVE DAYS: Synthesis and Review
DAY OF CONSECRATION
APPENDIX ONE: Prayers
APPENDIX TWO: Devotions
Endnotes
Cheat Sheet
More Resources on Mary

I have heard a lot about Marian consecration over the last few years. But I had also heard that St. Louis de Montfort's method was very complicated. So I had never really looked into it. Then author James Hahn started a group wot work through this book together, and I jumped at the chance to work through this. 

Father Gaitley does an incredible job of drawing from numerous sources to highlight the meaning behind consecration. He draws extensively from popes and also the three saints that we specifically use as a framework for out teaching. In the introduction Father Gaitley states: "Marian consecration basically means giving Mary our full permission (or as much permission as we can) to complete her motherly task in us, which is to form us into other Christs.". One of the the things I appreciated most about this self-retreat is the prayer. I found that through the daily reading and short prayers each day my own prayer life intensified. I arose early each day to work through that day's chapter, to reflect upon it. I found it often coming back throughout the day. Another quote from Fr. Gaitley that really hit me was "A person practices purity of intention when he directs his thoughts, words, and actions not to himself or another creature but to a divine purpose or mission, and ultimately to God." And really as Christians that should be a goal for all of us.

I have always had closeness to Mary our mother, even when away from the Catholic church for a while. This book helped me understand theologically and experientially Mary and her role in my life in a fuller way.  Father Gaitley states: "Mary's new motherhood is not some vague or abstract sort of thing. It's concrete and personal. And even though it's universal, it's also intensely particular. Mary is your mother. She is my mother." And she is. And this book will help youi grow in understanding that.

This was an incredible read and I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more by Father Gaitley.

Books by Michael E. Gaitley:
33 Days to Morning Glory
33 Days to Merciful Love
40 Days to Mercy
Consoling the Heart of Jesus
Divine Mercy Explained
The Divine Mercy Image Explained
The One Thing Is Three
The Second Greatest Story Ever Told
You Did It To Me 
Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy Missionary Handbook
Nine Days to Joseph: A Novena in Preparation for Consecration to St. Joseph

DVD Series by Father Michael E. Gaitley:
Divine Mercy In The Second Greatest Story Ever Told
You Did It to Me: Putting Mercy Into Action
33 Days to Morning Glory - Group Retreat
Consoling The Heart Of Jesus - Group Retreat
Wisdom And Works Of Mercy - Group Study Dvd

Contributed to:
Beautiful Mercy
Divine Mercy for Moms

(Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)