Know us
A divinely inspired Marian movement.
Founded in April 2020, with members in thirty-two countries, to unite all children of God — especially Marian societies — under one Mother.
Our story
Mary’s Armor is a Marian movement inspired by the message given to CelinaMary Okpaleke by Our Blessed Mother as Our Lady of Mary’s Armor — Our Unifier, Hope, and Protection. It came into existence in April 2020 and, by the grace of God and through the assistance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, now has members in thirty-two countries.
Mary’s Armor exists to unite all children of God, especially Marian societies. Our Lady of Fatima came to the three shepherd children to warn the world about the unrest to come. Mary’s Armor is here to remind people of that message, and to help them prepare for the chaos in the world today and for what is to come.
Our founder
CelinaMary Okpaleke
CelinaMary Okpaleke was born in Nigeria and raised by pagan parents who later converted to the Catholic faith; their strong devotion to our Mother Mary influenced her life greatly. She came to the United States in 1980 to join her husband, and together they raised seven children. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology at Tennessee State University and Meharry Medical College, then a second Bachelor of Science in Medicine at the University of Florida, Gainesville.
Through years of working in her specialty and owning a business, she remained focused on her family and career. In 2015 she had a mystical encounter with Mother Mary and her Son Jesus Christ that turned her life around. She was called to a special mission of conversion of souls to Christ, and to promote consecration to Jesus Christ through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
To carry out this mission she returned to school in 2016 for the four-year Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute in our diocese, and earned a certificate in Lay Pastoral Leadership Ministry. Her drive is to help people not only to consecrate themselves, but to live the life that follows consecration: a life of holiness, for salvation at the end.
In 2020 she had another encounter with our Blessed Mother and our Lord Jesus Christ, calling her to start a Marian movement, Mary’s Armor, through Our Lady of Mary’s Armor — Our Unifier, Hope, and Protection — through whom our Blessed Mother will connect our world, dot by dot: One Mother, One Family.
Vision
To create awareness of, and promote, consecration to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary — worldwide.
We do this by holding consecration preparations, Marian schools, conferences and other special projects that empower men and women who are already consecrated. As Catholics, many of us know of Mother Mary but do not truly know her; this ministry helps people grow in the Faith by developing a stronger relationship with Jesus through a better understanding of the Blessed Mother.
Mission
To fulfil the message of Fatima.
The mission of Mary’s Armor is to fulfil the message of Fatima through consecration to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to strengthen the First Saturday devotion, and to prepare members worldwide for their spiritual journey to eternal life.
Our Lady of Mary’s Armor
Our Unifier, Hope, and Protection
Unifier
One Mother for all
Our Blessed Mother is one Mother for all her children. Mary’s Armor works to break the chains of division among them, above all among Marian societies, so that they pray in one voice and become one in the Body of Christ.
“I am the unifier, and nothing will stop me.”
Hope
All is not lost
Many are losing hope because of what they see around them. Mary’s Armor is here to give hope back to God’s children, to strengthen them, and to prepare them for eternal life through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
“There is hope and light at the end of the tunnel.”
Protection
Under her mantle
With her Mantle of Protection, Our Lady shields her children from the evil one, reassures them of God’s mercy, and intercedes for them as a Mother.
“As a Mother warrior, I came to give God’s children reassurance of God’s mercy.”
Quotations from the message of Our Lady of Mary’s Armor to CelinaMary Okpaleke.
Four commitments
First
Form the consecrated
Empower those who have consecrated themselves to grow spiritually and to draw closer to Jesus through the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Second
Bring the retreat everywhere
Create ongoing consecration awareness and 33-day consecration retreats around the world, on our online platform and in gatherings in dioceses and parishes.
Third
Teach the life that follows
Ongoing education in living a life of holiness after consecration, applying the Blessed Mother’s virtues in everyday life: at home, at work and everywhere.
Fourth
Build Marian unity
Bring Marian societies together to pray in one voice, and be the foundation that flows into Marian conferences in the dioceses and around the world.
Our spirituality
Life after consecration
Consecration to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, lived out every day, is the key to eternal salvation. These are the practices of the movement.
Be her own
Total surrender to the will of God through Mary: to be her own, and to invoke her name in every activity, knowing she is always with us.
Daily and weekly prayers
Renewing our consecration every day and praying together each week, with daily guidelines and prayers for the journey to holiness.
Rosary, fasting and penance
Our Lady’s message at Fatima: prayer, fasting and penance in reparation for our sins and the sins of the world, and for the conversion of souls.
The First Saturday devotion
Kept each month as a community, because no one can make this journey of faith alone.
The Blessed Sacrament
Quiet time with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament: the more the better, daily if possible.
The Word of God
Reading Scripture contemplatively every day, in Lectio Divina and meditation.
The brown scapular
Worn always, as a constant reminder of our consecration, of Mary’s presence, and of her promises.
Annual renewal of consecration
Members renew their consecration once a year.
Annual international conference
Once a year the movement gathers for its international conference.
Find us
Where we are
Mary’s Armor International is based in Tampa, Florida, with members in thirty-two countries.
- Address3202 N. Howard Ave, Tampa, Florida 33607, USA
- Phone1-813-760-6279
- Emailinfo@marysarmor.org