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October 22, 2022
A little unknown story about Pope John Paul llMy first spiritual director was the late Mother Immaculata, OCD from Bloomingdale, Ohio, whom I met on pilgrimage to Medjugorje in 1993. She is the one credited with teaching me about Marian Consecration-introducing me to the writings of St. Louis de Montfort, and the ease of becoming witnesses and instruments in God's hand when we consecrate ourselves to Jesus through Mary, in imitation of Christ.
Mother Immaculata was so right!When we participate in the 33 Day Consecration, we discover the greatest mysteries of the Incarnation, and we recognize and more importantly, honor and imitate the dependence which God the Son was pleased to have on Mary, for His Father's glory and our salvation.
The John Paul ll Connection...
It was Mother Immaculata who sent me a copy of the Consecration prayer that she wrote, and encouraged me to pray daily, just as Pope John Paul ll had done. Mother Immaculata shared with me that through God's grace, her prayer was published in the monthly magazine, "Knight of the Immaculata" in the 1970's. It was there that John Paul ll saw it, added the "Totus Tuus" salutation, and consecrated himself daily to the Immaculate Virgin through the prayer that now bore his papal motto!
Oh, how he must have drawn strength from this prayer during the recovery from the assassination attempt on his life whom he credits the Blessed Mary for saving, over 41 years ago!
On this Feast of St. Pope John Paul ll, let us pray:
Totus Tuus (Totally Yours)
Immaculate Conception
Mary my Mother
Live in me, Act in Me
Speak in me
and through me
Think your thoughts in my mind
Love through my heart,
Give me your dispositions and feelings,
Teach, lead me and guide me to Jesus
Correct, enlighten and expand
my thoughts and behavior
Possess my soul
Take over my entire personality and life
replace it with Yourself
Incline me to constant adoration
Pray in me and through me
Let me live in you and keep
me in this union, always.
(Original prayer by Mother Immaculate, OCD, 1956
Totus Tuus salutation added by Pope John Paul Il)