Gone Fishing for Souls, September/October 2000
by Mary L. Rubeck
It was Saturday, August 15, 1992. My husband and I were a long
way from home, beginning a week-long vacation of trout fishing
in the Colorado Mountains. Although it was the feast of the Assumption,
the people of the diocese were exempted from their obligation.
However, we heard that there would be an outdoor Mass in the
afternoon at Mother Cabrini Shrine just outside of Denver. What
we did not know was that this was a Mass for hundreds of people
who were making their total consecration to Mary by the formula
of St. Louis de Montfort. We had never heard of St. Louis or
total consecration. When the Mass ended, everyone knelt down
and a lady turned to us saying, "Here, this is for you."
It was a copy of the consecration prayer. When I prayed the consecration
I desired to do it with all my heart. I also knew I was not capable
of doing it, so I asked Mary to come and do it within me. At
that moment I knew I had made my consecration. Nothing has been
the same in my life since.
I didn't do much fishing in the week that followed. I got a copy of True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort and read, thought and prayed. When we returned home, even though I had a full time job as a university professor and a half time job as a high school teacher, the Mass became the most important part of my day, everyday. Mary was doing for me what she does best, leading me closer to her Son. We brought total consecration to our parish and other parishes in our diocese. Many people from our parish consecrated themselves on December 8, 1992. Exactly one year later, our parish opened its Eucharistic adoration chapel. Coincidence? We don't think so. Through the special graces of this consecration, Mary helped me to rearrange my priorities, particularly when it came to ordering God, family, church and career. She has helped me to seek and desire the things of the Spirit over the things of the world. Don't be mistaken, I still can desire material things, but far less than before.
But my life has totally changed because, through Mary's intercession, my attitude toward most everything has changed. For example, a few months after our return from Colorado, I was asked by my pastor to coordinate and teach RCIA classes in our parish. Soon I retired from high school teaching, but remained at the university. Gradually the responsibilities of RCIA grew and expanded into a maximum security prison near us. Teaching others about God and his Church became more important to me than my university career. A year ago I resigned as a professor and now donate the time and talent God has given me to his Church. I have never been happier. (My husband's story is similar, but it is one only he can tell.)
In August of 1998, I became a member of the MI. In October 1999, I spent a week at Marytown reading, thinking and praying. With the help of the Immaculata, I hope to bring the Ml to people and parishes in Kansas. Please pray with me that many more souls will consecrate themselves to Mary. I still do like fishing, but it took the Immaculata to show me that fishing for souls is the most enjoyable and rewarding fishing ever.
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