"Their minds are set on worldly things." Phil. 3:19
I'm wondering to myself if black Friday is more relevant to our culture than Good Friday?
Jesus purchased an infinite amount of "goods" for us on Good Friday, and I wonder to what extent black Friday, in Jesus' foresight of our love for Him, grieved Him on Good Friday. Not to say that the love of shopping is sinful, but rather that we seem to be so thoroughly distracted from the love of God. No wonder why De Montfort, in his list of external practices for the consecration to that Mother of unworldliness, includes an ongoing contempt for the world.
We are pigging out on things that have very little to do with the true goal of our lives.See # 7 below. I think the key thing here is not to make black Friday a ritual..something that becomes an indoctrinated practice in our kids' minds.
The Seven Special Exterior Practices of True Devotion to Mary per Saint Louis
De Montfort
This is a very short summary of the seven exterior practices that Saint Louis writes about in detail.
1. The Consecration itself, with yearly renewal and daily short-form renewal.Daily short-form renewal: Say : "I am all thine, and all that I have is thine, O my loving Jesus through Mary, Thy Holy Mother."
2. Recitation of the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
See http://www.catholictradition.org/Two-Hearts/crown.htm
Highly recommended as a daily practice by De Montfort.
3. The wearing of a chain as an external sign of our slavery to Jesus and Mary.
Note: De Montfort recommends an iron chain, but I use my Miraculous Medal chain. Practice: touch the chain and say, "I am truly your slave, Mother Mary, and all that I have is yours, for my loving Jesus." This chain of slavery is a powerful reminder of your complete dependence on Mary, and of your baptismal promises to Jesus. Not essential but De Montfort highly recommends it.
4. Special devotion to the mystery of the Incarnation.In this mystery God chose to become dependent on Mary by choosing her to be His mother. This mystery shows the intimate union between Jesus and Mary that God willed. The Feast of the Annunciation on March 25 demands our special devotion.
5. A great devotion to the Hail Mary and the Rosary.
A prayer of incredible efficacy. We need to spread devotion to it.
6. The Recitation of the Magnificat prayer (Mary's song of praise).
Luke 1:46-55 We should memorize this prayer and say it often with great devotion.
7. Contempt for the world.
We have no idea how much the world has shaped our values. De Montfort says the "faithful slave of Mary must greatly despise, hate and shun this corrupt world and make use of the practices of contempt of the world" so that we can "[rid ourselves] of the spirit of the world." The spirit of the world is contrary to the spirit of the Gospels.
These are the seven special exterior practices specifically mentioned by Saint Louis De Montfort for those who have made the "True Devotion" consecration to Mary. I hope to comment on the interior practices he mentions later, but all devotions are interior if done with love and proper recollection.
Thank you, Tom, for sharing this with us. God is at work in you!!
