Quotes Worth Contemplating for September 8
Prayer of Consecration to the Admirable Child Mary by St. John Eudes
It would be well to renew this Consecration every year on the day on which it was made, and on the eighth day of every month which is specially dedicated and consecrated to the holy childhood of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God.
Most holy and amiable Infant, behold me prostrate heart and soul at thy feet, with all possible respect and humility. I unite myself to all the love and devotion of all the hearts that revere and love thee. I salute thee and honor, as much as I can, thy holy infancy. I rejoice with thee and thank God for His countless favors to thee. I praise and bless thee with all my heart, because thou hast honored the divine Majesty and will honor It eternally, by all thou hast done and suffered for love of God during thy marvelous childhood.
O admirable Infant, only Daughter of the Eternal Father, Mother of the Son of God, Spouse of the Holy Ghost, in union with the infinite love wherewith the Eternal Father chose thee to be His Daughter, and the love of the Son and of the Holy Ghost for thee in thy capacity of Mother and of Spouse, I, {N.} choose thee this day for my Sovereign Lady and Patroness, for my most honored Mother and for the Queen of my heart; and in union with the incomprehensible love wherewith the Eternal Word gave Himself to be thy Son, and, from the first moment of thy life, to be the Infant of thy heart, in union with His Infant Heart, I offer, give, and consecrate to thee my childhood and all my life, my whole being, my body, my soul, all my thoughts, words, and actions, all that I have and all that I am. May this engagement be entirely and irrevocably sealed for the glory of thy holy childhood.
O incomparable Infant, take entire and perfect possession of all that is in me. Dispose of me absolutely in the manner most agreeable to thy divine Son. Take away from me whatever is displeasing to thee; make me a living image of thy innocence, simplicity, humility, obedience, patience, love, and charity; make me despise the world, myself, and all creatures; make me pure, silent, gentle, and modest like thee, so that I may be among the number of the children of thy heart; and may I be thine in time and in eternity.
Blessed St. Gabriel, St. Joachim, St. Ann, St. Joseph, St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist, and all ye Angels and Saints, assist me by your prayers to obtain from my holy Mother what I ask, that I may be able to praise and to glorify, with Her and with you, the most Holy Trinity for ever and ever. Amen.
This prayer was taken from pages 282–283 of St. John Eudes’ book, The Wondrous Childhood of the Most Holy Mother of God; (Loreto Publications, 2003). It is interesting to note that St. John Eudes died in 1680, when he was seventy-eight years old: St. Louis Marie de Montfort, that most famous of Marian apostles, was then seven years old.
