Holy Communion

LIVING THE TOTAL CONSECRATION AT HOLY COMMUNION

Toward the end of the True Devotion, Louis de Montfort speaks of the relationship of his spirituality of consecration to the fundamental anchor of our sacramental life – participation in the Eucharist and the reception of the Lord in holy Communion.  He even proposes a method of receiving Communion in union with Mary.  Elsewhere in the same book, Montfort recommends the praying of the Magnificat after one has received Communion.  As there is much to recommend in both of these suggestions, I have composed the following outline of how one might profitably follow Montfort’s suggestions.  I have been making use of this method myself.

LIVING THE TOTAL CONSECRATION DURING HOLY COMMUNION

Recollect yourself and be conscious that this great sacrament is not simply a matter of receiving, but also a matter of giving – or, rather, that the receiving and the giving that take place are mutual.  Even as Jesus Christ gives himself completely and personally to us, he longs for us to completely and personally give ourselves to him.  Conscious of this, renew your Act of Total Consecration:

Jesus, I am yours and all that I have is yours through Mary, your most holy Mother.

Recognize that the presence of Christ is your greatest treasure and the greatest honor that you can give to Jesus as well as the greatest care you can take of this treasure is to place him into the hands of Mary who treasures all things concerning her Son in her heart (Luke 2:19,51).  You can also give no greater gift, no greater honor to Mary than by giving her that same great honor and gift which God himself has given her – Jesus Christ alive within her.

Peacefully, then, greet the Blessed Mother with the words with which God won her heart, the words through which Christ entered her life, and the words with which the Holy Spirit inspired Elizabeth to cry out in recognition of the great Mystery of the Word of God alive within her cousin.

Hail Mary, full of grace!
The Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Entrust the presence of Christ to her care with these words.

Then, rest a moment in the recollected joyfulness of Mary’s spirit and celebrate the presence of Jesus alive in Mary with the words of the Blessed Mother’s own psalm of joyful praise:

My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever. (Luke 1:46-55)

Take a few moments to savor and appreciate the blessings the Lord has worked in and through your life.  Recognize that his grace continues to be at work in you.  Finally, ask our Lady’s intercession that you might be truly transformed into the likeness of Christ by the grace of this holy Communion with your Savior in the heart of Mary.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Try to remain recollected and calm as you leave the church and make your way home.