An Advent before Advent

Earlier today,Lissa told me she is planning on preparing for a Monfortian Consecration to Jesus through Mary. Checking the calendar at the back of her copy of True Devotion to Mary, she was delighted to find the next preparation period begins tomorrow (November 5th) and continues until the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. Needless to say, I hopped on board with her, realizing this is the perfect lead in to Advent.

According to St. Louis de Montfort, the first twelve days "should be employed in casting off the spirit of the world, which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ."

I hope some of you will join us in prayer this month, asking God's blessings upon our homes and country and taking Mary into our hearts. Here are the exceptionally beautiful prayers to be said daily:

November 5th to 16th: Twelve Preliminary Days

November 17th to 23rd: First Week

November 24th to 30th: Second Week

December 1st to 7th: Third Week

December 8th: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Interestingly, I saw a box of 45 beautiful little Hanukah candles in the supermarket the other day. The white and blue tints and traditional Jewish pattern reminded me of the Blessed Mother, so I popped them into my cart, hoping to find some use for them in the weeks ahead. Now I am thinking about lighting one each night, illuminating the house more and more as the Feast of the Immaculate Conception approaches. After using 33 candles, there will be just enough left over for the 12 days of Christmas!

Online reading materials to assist with the preparation:

The USCCB Bible

Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin by St. Louis de Montfort

Comments

[kristina]

"After using 33 candles, there will be just enough left over for the 12 days of Christmas!"

Dear Alice,
This is just so ideal. You always have BEST ideas!
I have placed my True Devotion book at the ready and will be praying along with you!
God Bless you and your dear ones, kristina

[Lissa]

Ooh, lovely idea with the candles!

So glad you're walking this road with me, dear one.

[Margaret in Minnesota]

I probably won't be praying ALL the prayers alongside you ;), but I will be praying for you with all my heart.

[Meredith]

This is just so perfect and beautiful, count me in :) Thank you so much Alice!

[MacBeth]

I forgot to ask about the Hanukkah candles when I saw them on your counter, LOL! I had just been reading a book about Jewish conversions (to Catholicism), and I was wondering what you were thinking...? ;)

Thanks for posting this. Wonderful!

[Jen]

Oh Alice I'm beginning today too!! It's nice to know that I'm not "alone" on this journey!

[Jeannine]

I get chills when numbers work out just so. Your idea is just perfect. I was beginning my own little pre-Advent this year, and this will fit in perfectly. Thank you, Alice!

[Cheryl M.]

Alice, I too, am joining you all with this beautiful preparation for Advent! :)

[Christine M]

Alice - thank you so much for posting about this. I'm going to give it a try too.

[Cici]

Count me in, too. It's been crazy busy here and my copy of True Devotion has been calling me, ever so quietly. Its high time I answer.

[Donna Marie]

Oh wow, I am praying this too! I would be honored to do it with you!

I agree...You always have the BEST ideas! I think the candles are a wonderful idea!

The 8th of December has long been special to me...what a blessed time of year do make this special consecration!

[Lisa]

Alice,
What a wonderful idea. I just saw this today. Do you think I could start today? A day late?

[Monica]

Alice, I hope you are collecting all these ideas for a craft book! You have some truly fresh, inspired - and actually "do-able" projects that should be shared far and wide! :-)