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aussieannie
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I'm interested to hear other people's opinions.
I was sharing with a baptist friend the St Patrick's Breastplate and how I say it for myself and I say it for each member of the family in this way: "I bind unto Annuncia today..."
She said that while we can bind up to remove demons from others we should not bind other people to anything and also not to God Himself. You can bind yourself to God (in otherwords say the prayer for yourself only) but not to interfer with other people's free will (or something to that effect.)
Is this just a protestant thought? I am confused by it. As Catholics we consecrate our children to the Sacred Heart of Jesus or the Immaculate Heart of Mary...and certainly I understand that it is holy and wholesome and very spiritually powerful, I assume that binding is in a similar character. While I know my children still have free will as they do if they consecrate them, but I believe that it is a very effective prayer for them, giving them graces to help in their spiritual life.
Does anyone have some thoughts on all this?
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molly
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Anne, I bind my family to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, through the golden chain of the rosary.
I think there may be a misunderstanding of theology w/ your friend, So,yes, it is a protestant thing.
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Mackfam
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I'm just not sure, Anne. I'm not sure about "binding" as it is used in St. Patrick's breastplate and in the context of binding another besides myself.
The dictionary defines binding (as it is used here) as:
**tie or fasten something tightly
**restrain
**wrap tightly
and specifically it lists "bind someone to" as:
**cause someone to feel strongly attached to a person or place
I think I'd have to look into the context and translation of St. Patrick's breastplate a little more, and in particular the translation of the word "bind". And also, I'm not sure about the action of binding one's children...
From the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy #204 as it relates to consecrating one's children to Our Lady and then Consecration to Our Lady in general:
Quote:
"It should be recalled, however, that the term "consecration" is used here in a broad and non-technical sense: "the expression is use of "consecrating children to Our Lady", by which is intended placing children under her protection and asking her maternal blessing(254) for them". Some suggest the use of the alternative terms "entrustment" or "gift". Liturgical theology and the consequent rigorous use of terminology would suggest reserving the term consecration for those self-offerings which have God as their object, and which are characterized by totality and perpetuity, which are guaranteed by the Church's intervention and have as their basis the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.
The faithful should be carefully instructed about the practice of consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary. While such can give the impression of being a solemn and perpetual act, it is, in reality, only analogously a "consecration to God". It springs from a free, personal, mature, decision taken in relation to the operation of grace and not from a fleeting emotion. It should be expressed in a correct liturgical manner: to the Father, through Christ in the Holy Spirit, imploring the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom we entrust ourselves completely, so as to keep our baptismal commitments and live as her children. The act of consecration should take place outside of the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, since it is a devotional act which cannot be assimilated to the Liturgy. It should also be borne in mind that the act of consecration to Mary differs substantially from other forms of liturgical consecration." |
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In praying St. Patrick's breastplate, it always seemed to me an act of "binding" my will with that of God's (aligning the two, making them one, wrap tightly together) - to His eternal plan, and a rejection of Satan and evil. Because it is an act of submitting my will to God's, I don't believe that any other person can do that for me. I alone can submit my will or rebel and disobey. Others can influence, but I alone have been given the great gift of being able to offer my will.
From the CCC #1730
Quote:
God created man a rational being, conferring on him the dignity of a person who can initiate and control his own actions. "God willed that man should be 'left in the hand of his own counsel,' so that he might of his own accord seek his Creator and freely attain his full and blessed perfection by cleaving to him."
Gaudium et Spes 17;Sirach 15:14
Man is rational and therefore like God; he is created with free will and is master over his own acts.
St. Irenaeus |
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I think what I am taking from all this is that the type of ascent of the will that St. Patrick's breastplate calls for can only be made/offered by the individual.
I do frequently ask my children's guardian angels to protect them and guide them, and I also beg Our Lady to cover them with her maternal protection and always point the way to Our Lord, so I don't want you to think that I'm dismissing the idea of intercessory prayer on behalf of our children.
I'd love to hear other's opinions on this.
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aussieannie
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Thanks for the feedback so far, I appreciate that! It is something I really want to get to the bottom of, I hope to talk to the exorcist in our city about it, and see what his thoughts are as well.
I found this definition of consecration:
consecration - a solemn commitment of your life or your time to some cherished purpose (to a service or a goal); "his consecration to study"
allegiance, commitment, loyalty, dedication - the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action;
So this definition seems to suggest that consecration is a form of binding...and we as Catholics consecrate our children.
While we know we are not taking complete control of their wills, we do know that it is an act, that history has shown to be very powerful in bringing children back on the right path again (I know of many stories like this)
We are also told that people are in hell because they had no one to pray for them, that suggests we have a great ability to affect other people's will, asking God to send His grace and mercy into their lives. The bible says the prayers of a righteous man are powerful.
I would still appreciate more feedback if anyone has anything to share.
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aussieannie
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I wrote to our exorcist and he here are parts of his answer.
Quote:
I find your use of the prayer uttterly beautiful and totally in step with your own binding of yourself to the Trinity. You are not binding their free wills when you pray this. The thought would not cross your mind. You are praying that your children will never ever detach himself/herself from one iota of Christ's saving mission.
What it has done for me is spell out the nature of Baptism. That is where you do the real binding, beginning indeed with the Trinity. You didn't bind your children's free will when you had them baptised and subsequently confirmed. |
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This good friend of mine IS Baptist and since they do not baptize infants, waiting until they are old enough to make that choice themselves, then it would seem that her thoughts do tie in with the beliefs of a Baptist.
I had in the meantime being subsituting the word 'bind' with 'entrust' as I could never let this prayer go for my children, but from a Catholic prespective the word bind is appropriate for for use.
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VeronicaB
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You wrote to your exorcist.
I like that.
most people wouldn't think of that.
Reminds me of a prayer from a talk called Spiritual Flyswatters on the audiosancto.org webpageaudiosancto.org
that was on binding evil spirits - but I've used it and its great to have in memory. Same word/different context. Just think, human free will can't be bound, but devils can be bound by the power of the Holy Name of Jesus.
Veronica
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aussieannie
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Thanks for the link Veronica, that seems like a great resource of audios, I'll definately explore and listen...so it is the audio called 'The Power of the Holy Name of Jesus' that is the one to listen to?
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JodieLyn
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I would have immediately put it in the category of infant Baptism.. we have this done for our children, not by their own will.
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Mackfam
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This sounds like a good explanation, Anne. I'm glad this is straightened out for you. I hope you didn't think I was suggesting you not follow this beautiful prayer for your children. I find the consecration of a child to the Blessed Virgin so beautiful and comforting. And, I'm not sure why I didn't think of infant baptism. Of course!
I'm just glad you have resolved this and can have peace as you continue to pray this beautiful prayer for your children. 
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aussieannie
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Not at all Jennifer!  No, I wanted ladies to share what they could, especially if they could get things from Catholic sources, so I appreciate your efforts to look for them.
I'm even grateful my protestant friend for sharing her prespective, while this has all come to light to clarify things from a Catholic prespective which is what I needed, it's good in a way to have something challenged so that you can either be corrected, or have your stand confirmed and strengthened.
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VeronicaB
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aussieannie wrote:
| Thanks for the link Veronica, that seems like a great resource of audios, I'll definately explore and listen...so it is the audio called 'The Power of the Holy Name of Jesus' that is the one to listen to? |
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It's called Spiritual Flyswatters - filed under Sacramentals in the Sermon Categories section. Though they're all pretty good.
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Binding God to others...??? Update
