**If you didn’t have a chance to get the book yet, the first seven days of the consecration will be posted here. ebook now available here.
Do you want to help save the world? Do you want to help bring the world back to God?
Do you want to cause an ocean of mercy to overwhelm the raging inferno of hatred, violence, and war that have engulfed the world at this time?
Well, you can. Better yet, we can.
But before I tell you how we can do this, let me first give you some background.
The First Call
In the fall issue of Marian Helper magazine, I wrote a cover story entitled, “Mary is the Answer.” In it, I called on all our Marian Helpers to join me in making a Marian Consecration on Dec. 8, 2015, the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Mercy — and the response was amazing. So many of you took me up on my offer to receive Fr. Michael Gaitley’s preparation for Marian consecration, 33 Days to Morning Glory, by making a voluntary donation (yes, even $1). More importantly, so many of you joined me as we prayerfully prepared with that book for 33 days and conse- crated ourselves on Dec. 8.
On that day, which was also the Solemnity of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, we truly became Mary’s army. (If you missed out on that experience, don’t worry, because you can still join our ranks, as I’ll explain.)
Now, one of the reasons I wanted all our Marian Helpers to formally join Mary’s army was so she could use us as a force for good to change our deeply troubled world. In fact, it seems that the world needs it more than ever.
I say that because, since the fall issue, things seem to have steadily gotten worse. For instance, in October, an airplane full of more than 200 Russian men, women, and children was shot down in an ISIS terrorist attack. Then, in November, Islamic terrorists massacred more than 100 civilians in Paris in what people are calling “France’s 9/11.” Finally, this past December, shortly before our consecration, the United States suffered its worst terrorist attack since our own 9/11 in the form of a merciless shooting rampage in San Bernardino, California.
So, things are getting worse. But just six days after the California shootings, we consecrated ourselves to Jesus through Mary. We joined Mary’s army. And now she wants to use us to help save the world through the power of Divine Mercy. It all fits together.
Alright, but if you didn’t hear the first call, don’t worry, because now I’m making this second call. Please hear it. In fact, I’m pleading with you. I truly believe this is a matter of life and death for the world and especially our nation. I firmly believe that if we respond wholeheartedly in this time of mercy, together, we really can help save the world through the might of God’s mercy. Alright, so what am I inviting you to do? How can we save the world? Well, let me begin by telling you a story.
Overwhelmed at Mass
About a year and a half ago, I was offering Mass at our Marian Helpers Center when suddenly, in the middle of the prayers, I became overwhelmed by a grace that I can hardly describe. In fact, I’ve never felt anything like it.
It began slowly and then gradually intensified as I came to the moment of Consecration. I remember pronouncing the words, “This is My Body, which will be given up for you.” And then, as I elevated the Host, it was as if I could feel the rays of Divine Mercy coming out of the Host and filling my heart. More specifically, I clearly felt the Lord put on my heart that we need a consecration to Divine Mercy.
So, after Mass, I immediately went to Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, and asked him, “Do we have a consecration to Divine Mercy?”
He said, “No. At least I don’t think so.”
I asked him, “Do you think you could write one?” Father Mike explained that he was too overwhelmed with work to take on such a project. Because the inspiration had been so strong, I couldn’t give it up. So I told Fr. Mike, “Well, I really think you’re the one who should write it, but if you don’t, then I’ll have to do it. It’s got to be done.”
In the meantime, on the very day that Fr. Mike was finishing another book, a college friend called him on the phone out of the blue — a friend that Fr. Mike hadn’t heard from in years. Father Mike had to tell him that he couldn’t talk long because he was trying to meet an urgent book deadline that very day. His friend then replied, “No problem. But that’s why I called.”
Confused, Fr. Mike asked him what he meant. His friend continued, “Well, I was just praying, and I felt an inspiration to call you, because I know what your next book needs to be.” He then proceeded to tell Fr. Mike that the book needed to be a preparation for a consecration to Divine Mercy. Specifically, he said, “You need to do for the Offering to Merciful Love of St. Thérèse of Lisieux what you did for Marian consecration. That’s all I wanted to tell you. Talk to you later.” (The Offering to Merciful Love of St. Thérèse, who is a Doctor of the Church, is perhaps the highest form of consecration to Divine Mercy.)
Father Mike felt that this conversation was no coincidence, and so he asked me if I still wanted him to write a consecration. I said, “Yes!” So Fr. Mike got to work this past November and finished the book in less than a month. He believes it’s his best book — and so do I. Why? Because I believe the consecration he describes in it really can help save the world, which brings me to my second invitation to you, our Marian Helpers.
The Second Call
Attention all Marian Helpers: I am going to do something I’ve never done before. I am going to offer you Fr. Mike’s brand new book, 33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Consecration to Divine Mercy, for free (with any donation of your choosing — yes, even $1 again).
As you may recall, I gave you a similar opportunity to get his other book, 33 Days to Morning Glory, in the fall issue of Marian Helper magazine. But that book came out in 2011. This is a brand new book that is being released this February, and I want every Marian Helper to have it because I want each and every one of you to join me in making the consecration to Divine Mercy on Divine Mercy Sunday this year. Think about it. There’s no more perfect time to make a consecration to Divine Mercy, and here’s why.
First of all, as I shared in the fall issue, Pope Francis has said, relying on the testimony of St. John Paul II, that now is the time of mercy in the whole Church. But then he also declared that this year is the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. Well, I’m inviting you all to join me in making a consecration to Divine Mercy this Divine Mercy Sunday — April 3. In other words, I’m inviting you to consecrate yourselves to Divine Mercy on what will probably be the greatest Lent to the great Divine Mercy Sunday of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. And I have a special surprise for you on that day.
On Divine Mercy Sunday this year, I’m going to be hosting our live EWTN broadcast from the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy beginning at noon (EST). I will have Fr. Mike as a guest, and during the show, we’re going to consecrate ourselves to Divine Mercy live on the air. We want you to join us by making this consecration together! We’re convinced it will be the largest personal consecration to Divine Mercy ever.
Will you join us? Will you help us save the world? I firmly believe that if we all consecrate ourselves to Divine Mercy, especially on that great day of mercy, it will bring down from Heaven an ocean of mercy for the whole world. You’ll see what I mean when you read the book. I promise that you won’t be disappointed.
Here’s What to Do:
I want each and every one of you to join me in making the consecration to Divine Mercy on Divine Mercy Sunday this year.
• Get the consecration book 33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Consecration to Divine Mercy. Price: Your donation, plus $5.25 shipping. Offered until March 1. Call 1-800-462-7426 or visit marian.org/merciful and use Product Code: B29F-33DML. (One per household. Continental U.S. only.)
• To order the book from outside of the continental U.S., visit our online book store.
• Begin the consecration on March 1 so that you can complete the consecration on April 3 — Divine Mercy Sunday!