Consecration and Renewal

Who is a Consecrated Marian Catechist?

A Consecrated Marian Catechist is a member of the Marian Catechist Apostolate who is a firm believer in the Catholic Faith, has completed the required doctrinal and spiritual formation, and with the approval of the International Director, has made the Solemn Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

What are the requirements for making the Consecration?

Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary is to be made in a spirit of love for God and for neighbor. It is a generous gift of self to the service of Christ and His Church. The established Consecration requirements are not arbitrary; rather, they are planned and implemented according to the requirements of Church law, under the direction of the Episcopal Moderator and International Director of the Marian Catechist Apostolate. As Cardinal Burke explains, “The Consecration signifies our desire to love Christ more, and our dedication to bring Christ to others.”

REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSECRATION

Our love for Christ and fidelity to His Church is sustained by maintaining the following spiritual practices, which have long been a beautiful part of Catholic life and tradition:

• Our love for Christ and fidelity to His Church is sustained by the habitual practice of the following spiritual practices, which have long been a beautiful part of Catholic life and tradition:

    1. Holy Mass and Holy Communion – daily
    2. Holy Rosary (five decades) – daily
    3. Morning Offering to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – daily
    4. Memorare for the intentions of our International Director – daily
    5. Angelus – twice daily
    6. Way of the Cross – daily
    7. Spiritual Reading – 15 minutes daily
    8. Meditation – 15 minutes daily (Lectio Divina)
    9. Nightly Examination of Conscience and Act of Contrition
    10. Sacrament of Confession – every two weeks
    11. Completion of the Revised Basic Catholic Catechism Courses
    12. Completion of the Advanced Catholic Catechism Courses
    13. Completion of the Commentary on the General Directory for Catechesis along with the questions on the Commentary
    14. Completion of the 30-Day Ignatian Retreat through the International Office of the Apostolate

How do I request to make my Consecration?

To make your Marian Catechist Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, you must write a formal letter requesting approval to our International Director, Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke. Your letter must express your desire for Consecration and describe your present or future work in catechesis. The letter must be submitted to the International Office of the Marian Catechist Apostolate on or before March 28th. If you are unable to make your Consecration on the specified date, you must request a dispensation as part of your letter to His Eminence, giving the date requested. (A sample letter is attached.)

When should the Consecration be made?

Once approved, the Consecration is to be made on the day chosen by His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, using the Consecration Prayer written by Father John A. Hardon, S.J., ideally after the homily during Holy Mass. It is to be witnessed by the International Director or a priest of your choosing, usually your parish priest or spiritual director.

The Consecrated Marian Catechist commits to:

    • carrying out the spiritual practices to the best of one’s ability according to one’s state in life;
    • deepening one’s understanding of the Catholic Faith, as contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture and Tradition, and as taught by the Church’s Magisterium. Lifelong study is necessary because the more deeply the catechist understands the Catholic Faith, the more fully he or she will be able to live out and hand on the Faith and its practice to others;
    • as an active Consecrated Marian Catechist, devoting some time each week to the apostolate of catechesis, that is, to sharing the Catholic Faith with others; or, as a contemplative Consecrated Marian Catechist, dedicating one’s prayers, sacrifices, and self-surrender to God’s will for the extension of the Kingdom of God on earth, most specifically for the fruitfulness of the work of active members of the Apostolate;
    • cooperating with other Marian Catechists in disseminating the revealed truths of the Catholic Faith to others; and
    • following the directives of the International Director and his delegates.

When should the Consecration be made?

Once approved, the Consecration is to be made on the day chosen by the His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, using the Consecration Prayer written by Father John A. Hardon, S.J., ideally after the homily during Holy Mass. It is to be witnessed by the International Director or a priest of your choosing, usually your parish priest or spiritual director.

What is my commitment after Consecration?

The Consecration involves a one-year commitment (renewable yearly) to lead an exemplary Catholic life, according to the principles set forth in the Marian Catechist Manual. This commitment does not have the canonical status of a solemn vow and is not binding under penalty of sin. It is, however, a most serious public commitment in the Church. The Consecrated Marian Catechist commits to:

    • carrying out the spiritual practices to the best of one’s ability according to one’s state in life;
    • deepening one’s understanding of the Catholic Faith, as contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture and Tradition, and as taught by the Church’s Magisterium. Lifelong study is necessary because the more deeply the catechist understands the Catholic Faith, the more fully he or she will be able to live out and hand on the Faith and its practice to others;
    • as an active Consecrated Marian Catechist, devoting some time each week to the apostolate of catechesis, that is, to sharing the Catholic Faith with others; or, as
    • a contemplative Consecrated Marian Catechist, dedicating one’s prayers, sacrifices, and self-surrender to God’s will for the extension of the Kingdom of God on earth, most specifically for the fruitfulness of the work of active members of the Apostolate; cooperating with other Marian Catechists in disseminating the revealed truths of the Catholic Faith to others; and
    • following the directives of the International Director and his delegates.

Steps for making/renewing your Consecration:

    1. In early spring, those desiring to make their First Consecration should contact the International Office to notify us of their intent to make the Consecration. We will then notify you of any needed information. (Certificates of Completion for the Revised Basic and Advanced Courses, etc.)
    2. Send a “Request for Consecration” letter to the International Office, so it arrives on or before March 28th. Include in the letter the name of the priest and the place of Consecration, if not with the International Director. It is very important to include the priest’s name and address. Include your request for a date change, if one is necessary, the requested date, and the reason for the change. A Consecration date change does not alter the March 28th deadline for completing all the requirements and submitting your letter of request. Use the format from the attached sample letter as a guide for requesting approval for your Consecration. All letters should be typed and Staff@mariancatechist.com, OR mailed to: Marian Catechist Apostolate, P.O. Box 1237, La Crosse, WI 54602
    3. In April, you will receive notice from the Office of the International Director’s decision regarding your request for Consecration and any dispensations. Once approved, you can prepare for your Consecration day by prayerfully reviewing the Consecration Prayer and praying the Novena to the Sacred Heart and the Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe nine days before the day of your Consecration.
    4. If you are not making your consecration at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, you will receive a letter to hand to your priest which includes the Consecration Prayer and the Blessing of Catechists Within Mass (taken from the Book of Blessings). Cardinal Burke leaves it to the discretion of the priest whether the Consecration Prayer is prayed by you during or after Holy Mass; ideally, it is prayed after the homily. If the Holy Mass is celebrated in the Extraordinary Form, the Consecration is made, and the Catechist Blessing is given, either before or after Holy Mass.
    5. Read the following articles:
      1. Consecration: Not Mere Words A Grace Filled Way of Life by His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke
      2. Consecration is through Immaculate Heart of Mary by His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke
      3. The Spiritual Practices: A Reservoir of Strength & Joy by Msgr. Roger J. Scheckel, Spiritual Advisor
      4. What The Consecration Means and What it Does For A Person Who Makes It by Monsignor Roger

    Pease contact Our Marian Catechist Apostolate office with any questions you may have at 608-782-0011. 

    Download a sample letter to be used for Consecration.