October is quickly drawing to a close and the season of Advent approaches. The Catholic Church celebrates October as the month of the Holy Rosary, reminding us of the powerful intercession of the Blessed Mother. Whether you had a powerful prayer experience through devotion to Mary or you didn’t even know October was the month of the rosary, 33 Days to Morning Glory is a fantastic way to prepare your heart and soul for Advent before the holiday rush begins. 33 Days is a “do-it-yourself retreat” in preparation for Marian consecration (also known as total consecration to Jesus through Mary).

In the act of Marian consecration we open our souls to Mary and give her permission to work in us, to form us. Over the course of this 33 day “retreat”, Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC guides participants through the teachings of four prominent Marian experts: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Teresa of Kolkata, and St. Pope John Paul II. The retreat culminates with a prayer of consecration to Mary, ideally on a Marian feast day.

December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, would be a wonderful Consecration Day. To complete the retreat on the vigil of this feast, the start date would be Sunday, November 5, so you still have time to pick up a copy of 33 Days to Morning Glory at Blessings! If you’re not quite ready yet, November 9 and 29 are also great start dates, culminating on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God, respectively. We hope to see you in the store soon!