MADISON — Some attendees called it one of the largest crowds they had ever seen at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison.
Hundreds packed the auditorium on Friday, Nov. 1 — All Saints Day — to hear Fr. Michael Gaitley talk about the most recent push for everyone to consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary.
For the first time ever, all of the major Wisconsin apostolates for men’s faith formation are uniting to be trained and to lead the entire state to the burning love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the fire of love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
This includes the Wisconsin Council of the Knights of Columbus, Relevant Radio, and men’s apostolates from all five dioceses: Men of Christ, Knights of Divine Mercy, Esto Vir, and the King’s Men.
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| Fr. Michael Gaitley |
MADISON — Men’s apostolates from across the state have joined together to consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary. It is also their way of becoming “medics” for the Church after a recent interview with Pope Francis where he called the Church a “field hospital after battle.”
Groups such as the Knights of Divine Mercy in the Madison area, Esto Vir in Green Bay, Men of Christ in Milwaukee, and others are joining together and going through a “revision” of St. Louis de Montfort’s Preparation for Total Consecration.
The work the men are using is Fr. Michael Gaitley’s 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration. The 2011 book revises and simplifies St. Louis de Montfort’s consecration, which is ideal for “busy people,” according to Fr. Rick Heilman, founder of the Knights of Divine Mercy and pastor of St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff and St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Mt. Horeb and Perry.
They are using a parish program, based on the book, in the form of a six-week retreat.
Father Gaitley’s book uses the writings of St. Louis de Montfort, as well as St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa, and Blessed Pope John Paul II.
All of them “had a great love for the Blessed Mother,” said Tim Virnig, national director of the Knights of Divine Mercy, who is participating in the retreat.
