Some time after Easter of 2020 (the one we had to endure with our churches closed), I started doing the Mary’s Mantle consecration. I have done many consecrations, but this one effected me differently, perhaps it was the times we were living through. I did one run through with my family (the entire prep goes for 46 days), we all did our consecration together but then I felt like I needed to redo it again. I’m not sure at this point how many consecrations I actually got in.
On October 21st, Day 16 of my consecration prep this was part of the meditation that day.
“Awaken my spiritual senses to know by faith that You are always there, waiting patiently for me to stop, turn, notice, and encounter.“
And oh boy did He ever! We went for a drive to Nahant that afternoon and got to experience the most amazing surreal scene. It moved me so deeply! It felt like I was having a peek at heaven on earth . It happened to be exactly one month prior to my final Mary’s Mantle consecration, although I didn’t realize it at the time.
On November 3rd, I got an email from an old friend that I hadn’t heard from in a while, asking me if I was familiar with the Marian Movement of Priests. My friend Holly is someone that I respect greatly and in fact her book ‘A Mother’s Rule of Life’ has been transformational in my life. So I started looking into it. I found Fr. Gobbi’s Blue Book online and started reading the introduction right away.
November 21st as I mentioned previously was my consecration day (the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)and the 22’nd was the Feast of Christ the King was day 1, of the Blue Book messages. We attended Our Lady’s Chapel, I got to go to Confession, and I lit a candle to mark this beautiful day for me.
I had felt called to come to this beautiful chapel during quarantine. I kept hearing the word ‘refuge’ our entire ride back and forth… but I had no idea to it’s full implication.
On January 15th, Father Andre gave the following homily that sparked something big.
After listening to this homily I contacted my women’s group about how we could implement this. My dear cousin Luisa sprang into action and we started visiting the sick and praying with them. We would often stand outside their window as they prayed the rosary with us with their window slightly cracked open during Massachusetts frigid cold Winter days so we could hear each other, it even snowed on one occasion but yet we all felt immensely warm from within.
On January 26th, I contacted Our Lady’s Chapel to see what they could tell me about the Marian Movement of Priests, I trusted them way more than I trust the occasional nay sayer online. I was told that one of their priests was very passionate about it and that I should contact him. 😀 Hmmm…I think you may know who I’m going to say… yes… Fr. André. ❤️🙏
The rest as they say, is history! 😀
