Preparation for Total Consecration to the Holy Face of Jesus: How God Draws the Soul into the Purgative, Illuminative, and Unitive Ways

by Fr. Lawrence Daniel Carney III

What does devotion to the Holy Face look like? How does one live out this devotion every single day? Drawing on Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange’s The Three Conversions in the Spiritual Life and Three Ages of the Interior Life, Fr. Lawrence Carney III, author of The Secret of the Holy The Devotion Destined to Save Society, guides the serious soul on a journey of spiritual progress through the Purgative, Illuminative, and Unitive Ways. He directs the soul on how to live devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus, as revealed to Sr. Marie de Saint-Pierre. In our current chaotic and stressful world, the interior life needs both peace and unity with God. In addition to the traditional spiritual path, Fr. Carney draws on the great spiritual masters who have had explicit devotion to the Holy Face. He includes several schedules to follow that conclude the consecration on specific feast days. Continue your spiritual growth from other consecrations to this highest consecration, namely, to God Himself. Bring about the Triumph of the Catholic Church, the cause for which Jesus gave the Chaplet of the Holy Face to Sister Saint-Pierre. Devotion to the Holy Face will bring you into greater intimacy with Our Lord, who humbled Himself so that we may be with Him in eternal Beatitude.

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2024

Reviews

[booklady]

Have you ever noticed how Jesus loves to show you, just when you think you know something (no matter how little it is), you know NOTHING? Recently a dear friend was telling me about a consecration to the Holy Eucharist which she was doing, was very excited about and ordinarily I would have joined her without hesitation. However, after prayer, it seemed that living out my Carmelite vocation and the other consecrations I had already made (Sacred Heart of Jesus through Mary, Divine Mercy, Heavenly Father, St. Joseph, Guardian Angel, All the Holy Angels and Expiation) as well as weekly Adoration and daily Mass as often as possible was what I was supposed to be doing. I thought I was finished with consecrations...

A while back I signed up to do the monthly meditation to begin our July Carmelite community meeting, intending to do it on Sts. Joaquin and Anne as I have an icon of them, and July is the month of their feast. St. Anne is also my patron saint and as they are the patron saints of grandparents, I ask for their intercession for our grandchildren.

However, as the month has drawn near and various other things have transpired, I have felt my other patron, St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the HOLY FACE, calling me to a deeper study of this neglected devotion. Several days ago, I knew God was calling me to make the Holy Face the subject of my meditation for the following reasons:

1) First, it is a Carmelite meditation, originating with Sr. Marie of Saint Peter, O.C.D.

2) For another, it makes reparation for sins and blasphemies committed against God by praying for forgiveness and offering acts of love and so much more.

3) Third, for me personally, I am committed to praying one decade of the Rosary (through the through The Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena. Providentially, eleven years ago, I was assigned the 3rd Sorrowful Mystery, The Crowning of Jesus with Thorns. That was when I made my Marian consecration with several friends and when you submit your name you have no idea nor control over which Mystery you will receive. The other ladies were so worried they might receive a Sorrowful Mystery. I was hoping for one and thought Third was perfect!

4) Some years later, I read an article on The Catholic Thing by Brad Miner, a favorite author anyway, entitled, Red Scare: Christ Crowned with Thorns, with the most arresting, haunting picture of Christ’s face I have ever seen. I framed a color copy of it for my own personal meditation. Jesus’ Sorrowful Face is the center of my home altar. I cannot fail to be moved by it, especially His Red Eyes.

Finally, today I learned about this book, which is coming out in three days, which I have ordered. While I am not sure I am called to do the consecration, I will read the book and see. Until it comes, I will be reading, The Secret of the Holy Face: The Devotion Destined to Save Societywhich I picked up yesterday.