Dear SAP Families,
In a few days, we will begin a 33-day preparation to consecrate ourselves and our school to Jesus through Mary. This is incredibly exciting! If you have never heard of this practice, it is a very special way of giving our lives to Our Lord and His Mother. As Fr. Michael Barry says, “Anything that Mary touches becomes sweet.” She shares with us her graces and protects us with her prayers, as she lifts us into the arms of her beloved Son. If you have already done a Marian consecration, it is encouraged to renew it once a year, so this is a great time to do it!
To learn more, you can read this article https://blessedisshe.net/the-blog/marian-consecration/ and watch this short explanation by Fr. Michael Gaitley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThlvE3gARuw.
We will be using the following age-appropriate resources in the classrooms throughout the grade levels:
- Grades K-3: Consecration to Mary for Little Ones
- Grades 4-5: Marian Consecration for Children
- Grades 6-8: Totus Tuus, Totally Yours – 33 Days to Marian Consecration for Teens (download for free through Formed.org)
You are more than welcome to order your own copies if you would like to follow along with your children, or use the books suggested in the article above. If you sign up for an account with Formed.org using this direct link: www.piusmatthias.formed.org (thank you, Mr. Rubalcava!), you can simply search for Fr. Michael Gaitley’s 33 Days to Morning Glory group retreat and follow along with a video version that is more suitable for adults. You can also find an electronic version of the book here.
Starting this Wednesday 2/5 will allow the teachers to lead the students in the meditations and prayers over 33 school days, but if you would like to do the 33 days straight, you can begin on Friday, February 21. Once we are finished with the 33-day preparation, we will gather for a School Mass on Wednesday, March 25 – the Marian feast of the Annunciation. Msgr. Sal will lead us in the Consecration and we invite you to join us for this beautiful ceremony.
For any questions, please feel free to email me at mdyogi@stanthonygardena.org. Let us keep each other in prayer as a school community of families called to holiness for the glory of God’s kingdom here on earth.
In the hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Mrs. Dyogi
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