Open to the Spirit, she consecrated herself totally as lowly handmaid to the person and work of the Saviour. (Constitution 10)
The personal consecration of the Missionaries was something that they shared with the people in their ministry. During the parish missions they always organized a procession focused on Mary. Eugene wrote,
The consecration to the Blessed Virgin is made when the procession held in honour of the Mother of God comes back; it is obligatory. It is made from the pulpit, before the Blessed Virgin’s statue, placed on a throne, as beautiful as the locality can provide.
Letter to Fr. Bruno Guigues, 5 November 1837, EO. IX n. 652
The procession was meant to lead the people to make a personal and community act of commitment to following Mary’s Gospel example of discipleship as Christians, and of having Mary as intercessor and guide.
The recitation of the rosary and the teaching and dissemination of its use as a Gospel meditation prayer also formed part of the program of the missions.
