33 Days to Greater Glory: A Total Consecration to the Father through Jesus Based on the Gospel of John

by Michael E. Gaitley

Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, author of 33 Days to Morning Glory, one of the most popular Catholic books of the last decade, brings us his first new book in three years. 33 Days to Greater Glory completes a trilogy of first to Mary, then to Jesus, the Divine Mercy, and now to God, our Father. This final consecration to our Heavenly Father truly is the “greater” consecration, the one in which all others find their origin and end.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Faith, Prayer, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2020

About the author

Father Michael Gaitley, MIC, is a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Prior to his ordination to the priesthood, he received a Masters Degree in Theology and a Licentiate Degree in Moral Theology.

After his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Michael succeeded Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, as the director of the Association of Marian Helpers, a spiritual benefit society with more than 1,000,000 members. As director, he has launched a new pastoral initiative called Hearts Afire: Parish-based Programs for the New Evangelization (HAPP).

He frequently appears on EWTN and preaches retreats throughout the country on topics such as Divine Mercy, Consoling spirituality, and Marian Consecration.

When he is not preaching missions and retreats, Fr. Michael lives and works on Eden Hill in Stockbridge, Mass., home of the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

A GR’s friend recently asked me if I gave 5 stars to all spiritual books. Actually I don’t. This is the sixth book by Fr. Gaitley I have read and while it is good, it seems to rehash ideas he has presented and discussed in other books. He makes the point, and I agree, that repetition allows us to go deeper in our learning and our relationship with God. Every time I have read or facilitated one of his books/consecrations, I have delved deeper and gone further. This book is no exception* and yet I would have preferred more new material.

The emphasis on the Gospel of John and the free download of Leonardo Defilippis’s version are a big plus.


March 22, 2020: As I was bereft when my retreat with St. Joseph finished, my sister suggested beginning this one. Along with it, we are also listening to Leonardo Defilippis's version of the Gospel of St. John which is mesmerizing and a free download of it comes with this consecration.


*Perhaps some of my disillusionment with the book rests on the recent revelations concerning Jean Vanier, who Fr. Gaitley cites as an exemplary father figure during a large section of the book. Of course, it is not Fr. Gaitley’s fault that he put his trust in the wrong person. Who has not done that?! In fact, he began the book commenting on his misplaced trust in the former Cardinal McCarrick. So, in a way it is almost ironic that another iconic figure in the spiritual world has fallen. We are ALL, every one of us, sinners. And yet, at the same time I could not get the whole incident out of my head as I was reading the book. Hopefully in a future revised edition Fr. Gaitley will be able to make use of this information. This book was published February 5, 2020 and the information about Vanier was released by his community on February 22, 2020. Praise and thanks be to God for His Divine Mercy. May He continue to have mercy on us all.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, inspirational read. It brings
the Gospel of John to real life for all walks
of life by explaining the symbolism involved
in this Gospel. The book was well written
encouraging daily looking up!!!
“33 Days to Greater Glory” is the third
book in Father Gaitley’s trilogy.
The other two books are: “33 Days to
Morning Glory” then “33 Days to Merciful Love”
All Highly Recommended Self Consecration
Reads!!!

[Erin Dye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Father and the gospel of John. 10/10 recommend consecrating yourself to the Father. Definitely my favorite consecration I’ve done so far!!!

[Ellie Salcedo · Rating 4 out of 5]

St John is the best

[Aide · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it but I just wish it did had a consecration prayer to the Eternal Father.

[Elkaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always had a great devotion to God the Father, and I knew that it was time for another consecration to him, hence find this book, which I began on my birthday. What this book gave me, was a true insight how Jesus Christ, is bond to his Heavenly Father. Since, the author of the book, Fr. Michael Gaitley uses the Gospel of John as a framework to consecrate yourself to the Father through wonderful daily reflections that allows the reader to come closer to the Love and Mercy, which God the Father has for his Human Children, shown through the miracles and gospel messages of Jesus Christ.

There were a few things that ignored me as I read this book each evening, and I learnt that I don’t like the gospel of John, as much as some of the other Gospels, as its full of theology. However, this book, one cannot really grade, as it’s a spiritual – prayer resource that one can only try to see if its suites them. But I needed this book, as I was heading into Lent, and at the stage of my faith journey.

Just give it a try, if not Fr Gaitley has other consecration books for you to read and pray with.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. Like his other consecration books, Fr. Gaitley writes in an easy manner, but with depth, so to be attainable in all walks of the spiritual journey. This is an excellent unpacking of our relationship to God the Father (to the extent it can be unpacked! Ha). I think one *could* read this book before “33 Days to Morning Glory” and “33 Days to Merciful Love” and still come away with a richer faith (isn’t the Father always reaching for us?). However, it is a natural read after the others. And while the Church has a plethora of writings on Mary’s role (and “33 Days to Morning Glory” is certainly a gentle guide and opening to Mary), sometimes new Catholics like to start elsewhere. You cannot go wrong jumping into the arms of the Father. I have this sense that one could read this book early on in his faith (maybe late middle school or high school even) and plant seeds of knowledge and faith that would grow fruitfully, even if later. I’m sure I’ll be rereading this again soon and encouraging my teenagers to do so, as well.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved the Gospel of John, which was what originally drew me to this book, but now I love it even more. Fr. Gaitley does a great job peeling back the layers of symbolism and meaning in this gospel and brings it vividly to life. It's perfect Lent reading since we read so much of John during the Sundays of Lent in Year A! :) (Which is what we're in right now.) Highly recommend.

[Bill Breen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great work by Fr. Gaitley!! Completes the Consecration trilogy : 33 Days to Morning Glory, 33 Days to Merciful Love. Ready for Consecration to the the Father on Divine Mercy Sunday!! Just "look up"!! A wonderful time of delving into the Gospel of John. Highly Recommended!

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book and really wanted to love it. I love all of the other books by Michael Gaitley but this one just fell flat. I didn't really get anything out of it. I didn't learn anything new, nor do I feel closer to the Father for having read it. I'm pretty bummed.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr. Gaitley uses the Gospel of John as a framework to consecrate yourself to the Father. There’s beautiful daily meditations that have truly challenged my perspective and provide much reflection on themes that are so relevant to our society today.

[Dcn. Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

The end of week 3 and all of week 4 were fantastic and inspiring and definitely worth reading and meditating on deeply. Overall though wasn't as impactful for me as the first two, perhaps because I wasn't immersing myself in the audio presentation of the Gospel of John.

[Bella Starr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did 33 Days to Morning Glory. There was a lot more to read, plus it wasn't as readable.

[Mopeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abba, Father!

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into the writing of this one.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

-There were only a few things that really hit me, but ultimately, God did wonderous things in me. I can't point specifically to the book to see how, but He definitely used it

[Riley Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful retreat to the Glory of God the Father!

[Amy McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Fr. Gaitley book, and certainly won’t be my last. I loved his easy, inviting approach to the scripture readings. His zeal for the book of John was contagious, and I found myself growing in relationship to the Father, Son and Spirit each of day of our 33-day retreat. I’ve studied John in-depth before, but Fr. Gaitley’s perspectives were new and fresh, I really enjoyed this book!