{"id":1530,"date":"2017-04-09T05:00:04","date_gmt":"2017-04-09T09:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sjcmetheology.wpengine.com\/?p=1530"},"modified":"2017-04-09T05:00:04","modified_gmt":"2017-04-09T09:00:04","slug":"book-review-33-days-to-morning-glory-by-fr-michael-gaitley-mic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sjcme.edu\/theology\/book-review-33-days-to-morning-glory-by-fr-michael-gaitley-mic\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review – 33 Days to Morning Glory, by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Michael E. Gaitley, MIC\u2019s book 33 Days to Morning Glory <\/em>is an instructional guide for consecrating ourselves to Jesus through Mary. In this book, Father Gaitley provides us with a means to ponder Marian messages that bring us closer to Jesus, creating \u201ca new way of life in Christ\u201d 1<\/sup> \u2013 a way to sainthood.<\/p>\n

Before we proceed, let\u2019s discuss what it means to consecrate ourselves to Jesus through Mary. When we go through the 33 day self-retreat, we learn how to dedicate our lives to Jesus through the assistance and prayers of His mother, Mary. We give her all our prayers, worries, anxieties and dreams, and she fills us with God\u2019s grace. As we consecrate ourselves to Jesus through Mary, we give our lives to Christ, lived under the tutelage of Mary. Who\u2019s closer to Christ than Mary? What human understands the heart of Jesus better than Mary? Therefore, what better guide to have in searching for Jesus, than Mary?<\/p>\n

In the introduction to the book, Father Gaitley speaks of his own first time consecrating himself to Jesus through Mary and found it to be a life changing experience. I can attest to the same thing. Back in 2012, when I did it for the first time, I was in the process of studying for my Master\u2019s Degree in Pastoral Theology. Uncertain of my future, I placed myself in the Blessed Mother\u2019s care. Since then, God has done some wondrous things with me. I now teach Theology, write children\u2019s books with a Catholic view, blog about morality and virtues, and I speak on the Catholic faith.<\/p>\n

Do you want to do some exciting things for the Lord? Okay then. Here\u2019s how Marian concentration to Jesus through Mary works, using Michael Gaitley\u2019s book:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. You start the retreat 33 days prior to a Marian feast day (There is a full list of them contained within the book). It just so happens, that if you start your retreat tomorrow, you would finish it on May 13th<\/sup>, the 100th<\/sup> anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima.<\/li>\n
  2. Each day, you read a passage from the book, accompanied by a short prayer. Michael Gaitley divided the book into four weeks, with each week covering a Marian Saint. In week 1, we learn about the life of Saint Louis de Montfort, who created this lovely tradition of consecrating ourselves to Jesus through Mary. In week 2, we learn about Saint Maximilian Kolbe, who helps us to truly understand the Immaculate Conception. In week 3, we learn about Saint Mother Teresa and how she tried to satiate Jesus\u2019 thirst for souls. In week 4, we hear from Saint John Paul II about how much he loved the Blessed Mother. For the last five days of the retreat, Michael Gaitley summarizes the material covered in the first four weeks and prepares you for your own consecration to Jesus through Mary.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    As part of the preparation process, Father Gaitley strongly encourages receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation, and receipt of the Eucharist at Mass on the Marian feast day. After Mass, you recite the Consecration Prayer. You can opt to use one of the consecration prayers that Father Gaitley provides in his book. Once you have done all of that, you are consecrated to Jesus through Mary. It\u2019s that simple!<\/p>\n

    Every year, I re-consecrate myself to Jesus through Mary by re-reading this awesome book, and by receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation, and then attending Mass on the Marian Feast Day. Every time I read this book, I pick up on something that I did not notice in the past. It\u2019s as if each year, I have little epiphanies that help me to know Jesus and Mary much better.<\/p>\n

    If you would like to consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary, then order your copy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Virginia Lieto<\/strong> teaches theology for Saint Joseph\u2019s College Online. She is the author of\u00a0children\u2019s book Finding Patience<\/a>\u00a0and blogs at www.virginialieto.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    1<\/sup> Gaitley, Michael. E. 33 Days to Morning Glory<\/em>, Stockbridge: Marian Press<\/em>, 2011, Print. p. 20<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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