BLESSED JOHN PAUL II'S TOTUS TUUS

"Totus Tuus".  It is a Latin phrase which means "I am totally yours." This was Blessed John Paul II's motto addressed to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Have you ever wondered why John Paul II had so much devotion to Mary?

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In his book, Crossing The Threshold of Hope, John Paul II explained that his motto Totus Tuus was not just an expression of piety and devotion, it was his total abandonment and personal consecration to the Mother of God. His deep devotion to Mary was manifested in many different ways; among these is his Coat of Arms which bears the letter M that stands for Mary. Even his coffin has a letter M on it.  He credited St. Louis Marie de Montfort for his Totus Tuus when he read the saint's book "True Devotion to Mary."

John Paul II came to know the book "True Devotion to Mary" when he worked as a factory worker at a chemical plant during World War II. He studied the book and oftentimes reread it to understand the doctrine which was quite new and unknown to him.  He came to understand that devotion to Mary is actually Christocentric, and it was deeply joined to his faith in Christ. This led him to write the encyclicals Redemptoris Mater and Mulieres Dignitatem and add the Mystery of Light to the three mysteries of the rosary.  He even said that reading the book was the turning point of his life.

Let us be inspired by Blessed John Paul II's devotion to Mary.  If we want to have a genuine personal relationship with Christ, then let us turn to Mary for she is the surest and the safest way to Him.

Ad Jesum Per Mariam!  To Jesus through Mary!