MelanieM
17th June 2010, 11:13 AM
What does it mean to “consecrate” yourself to the Sacred of Jesus or the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or other?
DavidObeid
17th June 2010, 02:04 PM
To consecrate something or someone is to dedicate or set it or them aside for a special purpose.
When we consecrate ourselves to Our Lord or Our Lady or some other saint under a particular patronage we are saying that we are giving ourselves over to them in a special way in order to be formed according to that particular charism.
For example, when we consecrate ourselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we are saying that we are giving ourselves over to God in a way that conforms to the devotion and charism specific to the Sacred Heart (ie to make reparation to God for various offences and to conform our own behaviour to be meek and humble like Christ). Same deal with consecration to Our Lady, as, according to St. Louis de Montfort's method, where we allow Our Lady's love for Jesus to be our model and guide.
The examples can be multiplied many times over.
Does this help?