Consecration at any age, a sure step toward heaven

by Charla Misse

By Charla Misse
NOLA Catholic Parenting, Clarion Herald

Each of us is called to holiness. Each of us has a unique vocation … or combination of vocations. A special purpose according to God’s design.

Several years ago, I consecrated myself to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. By doing this, I consecrated myself to holiness, to discerning God’s will for me and allowing our Mother to use me as she knows best. I renew that consecration annually to remind myself of my baptismal vows and to reinvigorate my efforts toward fulfilling my purpose.

To clarify, consecration in this sense is not the consecrated life of a brother, monk, sister or nun, but a solemn dedication to holiness and toward bringing others to holiness. And by aligning myself with God’s will, I receive more fully his graces and his protection.

On the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, my family celebrates with me as I renew my yearly consecration to Jesus through Mary. I feel not only surrounded by Mary’s maternal love and protection, but also lifted up by the prayers and good will of my loved ones.

When we baptize our children, we are taking the first step toward bringing our children to Christ and the gift of eternal life. We are marking our children as belonging to him. As responsible parents and godparents, we continue that journey with our children, educating them in the faith by our words as well as our actions. While my personal consecration is a good example for young ones, did you know that you can consecrate your children to Jesus as well?

It took me a few years after my own consecration before I realized I could share this astounding gift with my child. Now, I see it as a critical and necessary step that all parents can take.

We cannot protect our children from all the evil in the world … by ourselves, that is. They absolutely need armor for the spiritual battles ahead. We insist they wear seat belts and bike helmets. Of course, they must be consecrated to Jesus as well!

The Catholic Church asserts that parents have authority over their children, even grown children.

So, you may consecrate your children at any time. It is not necessary to have an elaborate event or even have your children present, but we discussed as a family and prayed a novena together leading up to consecration day. We also arranged for a priest to perform the consecration and repeat this annually with a fitting family celebration.

As with my own consecration, we are renewing baptismal vows and showing openness to our children being fit instruments in Our Lady’s most capable, beautiful and loving hands, whatever that vocation may be. It is a surrender to God’s design for us. And in return, our children will have not only the seal of the Holy Spirit, but also the full force of divine protection.

A native of New Orleans, Charla Misse feels blessed to worship, work and play in her hometown. She supports various charitable organizations, sits on the finance committee for St. Dominic Church and is a Boy Scouts of America den leader and religious emblems coordinator.