"All the glory of the king's daughter is within"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are nearing the end of St. Louis de Montfort’s “Introduction” to his treatise on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”. God willing, tomorrow we will conclude it and begin Chapter 1. Hopefully you are receiving the graces God gives to all who ask and seek to find Him. By His grace may we continue to knock on the door that He may open for us as He has for all His saints:

1. The whole world is filled with her glory, and this is especially true of Christian peoples, who have chosen her as guardian and protectress of kingdoms, provinces, dioceses, and towns. Many cathedrals are consecrated to God in her name. There is no church without an altar dedicated to her, no country or region without at least one of her miraculous images where all kinds of afflictions are cured and all sorts of benefits received. Many are the confraternities and associations honouring her as patron; many are the orders under her name and protection; many are the members of sodalities and religious of all congregations who voice her praises and make known her compassion. There is not a child who does not praise her by lisping a Hail Mary. There is scarcely a sinner, however hardened, who does not possess some spark of confidence in her. The very devils in hell, while fearing her, show her respect.
2. And yet in truth we must still say with the saints: De Maria numquam satis : We have still not praised, exalted, honoured, loved and served Mary adequately. She is worthy of even more praise, respect, love and service.
3. Moreover, we should repeat after the Holy Spirit, “All the glory of the king’s daughter is within”, meaning that all the external glory which heaven and earth vie with each other to give her is nothing compared to what she has received interiorly from her Creator, namely, a glory unknown to insignificant creatures like us, who cannot penetrate into the secrets of the king.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful; kindle in us the Fire of Your Love.

 

[patricius79]

all the external glory which heaven and earth vie with each other to give her is nothing compared to what she has received interiorly from her Creator, namely, a glory unknown to insignificant creatures like us, who cannot penetrate into the secrets of the king.

And yet she wishes to share this unsearchable, hidden glory with us. It’s so consoling to read about how wonderfully blessed our Mother is.

Given how good she is, and how much she loves each and every human being, it’s no wonder that her heart is so wounded by our failure to receive her love. I think of all the years I ignored her.

Yet she is so good that she held nothing over my head when I turned to her, but was all compassion and kindness.

There are so many consoling paragraphs in the Apostolic Constitution on the Immaculate Conception (“Ineffable God”), but near the end is one of my favorites. It shows how Mary is both so exalted and so close to us:

All our hope do we repose in the most Blessed Virgin — in the all fair and immaculate one who has crushed the poisonous head of the most cruel serpent and brought salvation to the world… Let all the children of the Catholic Church, who are so very dear to us, hear these words of ours. With a still more ardent zeal for piety, religion and love, let them continue to venerate, invoke and pray to the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, conceived without original sin. Let them fly with utter confidence to this most sweet Mother of mercy and grace in all dangers, difficulties, needs, doubts and fears. Under her guidance, under her patronage, under her kindness and protection, nothing is to be feared; nothing is hopeless. Because, while bearing toward us a truly motherly affection and having in her care the work of our salvation, she is solicitous about the whole human race. And since she has been appointed by God to be the Queen of heaven and earth, and is exalted above all the choirs of angels and saints, and even stands at the right hand of her only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, she presents our petitions in a most efficacious manner. What she asks, she obtains. Her pleas can never be unheard.
Ineffabilis Deus - Papal Encyclicals

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear patricius,

Thanks for your “heart” to let us know you read and appreciated the words of St. Louis de Montfort, and also thanks for your reply which included the beautiful quote from the Apostolic Constitution on the Immaculate Conception. Would that all would listen to the words of the Pope who addressed “all the children of the Catholic Church”:

…fly with utter confidence to this most sweet Mother of mercy and grace in all dangers, difficulties, needs, doubts and fears. Under her guidance, under her patronage, under her kindness and protection, nothing is to be feared; nothing is hopeless…

These are certainly not easy days we are going through in the Church and in the world today – the evil one prowls around with so much more damage being don becasue so may seem too busy about themselves to notice how God is being ignored and His Mother and He are so dishonored in so many ways. Let us, as the pope said, “fly with utter confidence to this most sweet Mother of mercy and grace…”

 

[patricius79]

It’s like if little children started trying to live without their natural mothers. They wouldn’t survive very long.
And likewise when we try to live without our “mother in the order of grace” (Vatican II), we fall into too many sins and lose sight of Jesus.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear patricius,

What a true and sweet comparison you made here:

It’s as if little children started trying to live without their natural mothers. They wouldn’t survive very long – likewise when we try to live without our “mother in the order of grace” (Vatican II), we fall into too many sins and lose sight of Jesus.

I hope many people will read those words of yours and ponder their significance! I know I couldn’t survive long without my mother Mary. How grateful I am that Mary was always interceding for me, even at those times when I was not thinking so much about her. Jesus let her know how much I needed her! How I thank God for All He has done and continues to do – He does All things well!

 

[patricius79]

This reminds me of a passage later in True Devotion to Mary:

Blessed, indeed, are those Christians who bind themselves faithfully and completely to her as to a
> secure anchor! The violent storms of the world will not make them founder or carry away their heavenly
riches. Blessed are those who enter into her as into another Noah’s ark! The flood waters of sin which engulf
so many will not harm them because, as the Church makes Mary say in the words of divine Wisdom, “Those
who work with my help - for their salvation - shall not sin.” Blessed are the unfaithful children of unhappy
Eve who commit themselves to Mary, the ever-faithful Virgin and Mother who never wavers in her fidelity
and never goes back on her trust. She always loves those who love her, not only with deep affection, but
with a love that is active and generous. By an abundant outpouring of grace she keeps them from relaxing
> their effort in the practice of virtue or falling by the wayside through loss of divine grace.
http://www.montfort.org/content/uploads/pdf/PDF_EN_26_1.pdf

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks, patricius for your post. It is good to be reminded ourselves – and to share with others the wonderful effects of true devotion to Jesus through Mary. St. Louis was given so much grace to “see” by faith what God intends for us. It seems to me he learned first – by listening to scripture, as Mary did, and pondering all God said and did.

He did the Truth which the Holy Spirit revealed to him, as Mary did. His ardent desire for Wisdom, his continual prayer, universal mortification and finally his tender love and devotion to Mary brought him to the fullness of Life in Christ through Mary.

May the Holy Spirit continue His beautiful work in the Church as He was sent to do, and may we fully cooperate with God’s grace to us!

 

[patricius79]

Yes, it is only just to have a tender love for our gracious Mother, who is so tender toward us.

St. John Eudes wrote that Mary’s Heart is an ocean of grace for us, and said:

St. Bernard’s words on this subject are most beautiful. He tells us that Mary desires to
become everything to everyone. In her abundant charity, she denies no man a claim upon her Heart.
She opens the door of her mercy and the portals other generous Heart to all, that all may receive of
her fullness. To the captive, she brings redemption; to the sick, healing; to the afflicted, comfort; to
the sinner, forgiveness; to the just, increase of grace. She augments the joy of the angels; to the Son
of God she gives the substance of human flesh, and to the Most Blessed Trinity glory and everlasting
praise. The love and charity of her Heart make themselves felt by the Creator Himself and by all His
creatures. (1 4) Full text of "The Admirable Heart Of Mary by St John Eudes"

 

[MariaChristi]

…The love and charity of her Heart make themselves felt by the Creator Himself and by all His
creatures…

Thanks patricius, for the words of St. John Eudes, which I re-quote – especially since this is the month dedicated to her Immaculate Heart. Let us continue to learn, by God’s Grace, more that we may love her more and share her with others, repeating Jesus’ words from the Cross:

Behold your Mother.

 

[patricius79]

Thanks, MariaChristi.

Here is a another passage I ran across from St. John Eudes which helps us to “Behold [our] Mother”:

Thirdly, the Admirable Heart of Mary is the Heaven of Heaven, because, as St. Bernard says, it
contains the entire Church, which is called in Sacred Scripture the Kingdom of Heaven, and because
all the children of the Church receive through Mary the life of grace. (14) If St. Paul assured the
Christians of his time that they were in his heart, (15) who would dare to contradict St. Bernardine
of Siena, (16) who tells us that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, like a good mother, carries all her
children in her Heart? Who will contradict me if I add that Our Lady will forever carry all the
inhabitants of heaven in her inmost Heart, which becomes the Heaven of Heaven, and a true Paradise
of the Elect, in which they find the fulness of delight and joy, due to the inconceivable love for each
soul which consumes her maternal Heart?.. 0 holy Mother of God, thy boundless
charity has so vastly extended thy maternal Heart that it has become like a great city, or rather an
immense heaven, full of ineffable consolations and unspeakable joys for thy beloved children, whose
happy dwelling it shall be for all eternity.
Full text of "The Admirable Heart Of Mary by St John Eudes"

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear patricius,

What a gift of grace was given by God to St. John Eudes, that he could write such words of praise for all God accomplished in Mary – the Most perfect of all Mothers. No wonder Mary is proclaimed to be Mother and Model for the Church, called to be like Christ – no one has had or shall ever have a heart so like His – Meek and Humble and filled with Love!

 

[patricius79]

Yes, It’s wonderful to think how a mass murderer like Patrick Crusius can appeal to Mary and find her full of mercy toward him who is her child.

St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote about how Mary doesn’t look at one’s past but only at one’s present intention.

He said that “Mary embraces the sinner despised by the whole world”.

Here is one beautiful passage from “The Glories of Mary”:

Hence the devout Lanspergius makes our Lord thus address the world: "Men, poor children of Adam, who live surrounded by so many enemies and in the midst of so many trials, endeavor to honor my Mother and yours in a special manner: for I have given Mary to the world, that she may be your model, and that from her you may learn to lead good lives; and also that she may be a refuge to which you can fly in all your afflictions and trials. I have rendered this, my daughter, such that no one need fear or have the least repugnance to have recourse to her; and for this purpose I have created her of so benign and compassionate a disposition, that she knows not how to despise any one who takes refuge with her, nor can she deny her favor to any one who seeks it. The mantle of her mercy is open to all, and she allows no one to leave her feet without consoling him". May the immense goodness of our God be ever praised and blessed for having given us this so great, so tender, so loving a mother and advocate.
Chapter III

 

[patricius79]

Yes, It’s wonderful to think how a mass murderer like Patrick Crusius can appeal to Mary and find her full of mercy toward him who is her child.

St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote about how Mary doesn’t look at one’s past but only at one’s present intention.

He said that “Mary embraces the sinner despised by the whole world”.

Just to clarify, I’m saying that Jesus gave Mary as Mother to each human person from the Cross, and that if Patrick Crusius–or any sinner–seeks her help with repentance, then she embraces him with mercy and reconciles him with God.

Similar statements can be found in St. Faustina’s Diary with reference to Christ’s Infinite Mercy, which as we know is given through Mary. Jesus told St. Faustina that if even the greatest sinner appeals to him for compassion, he cannot punish him, but rather justifies him through His inscrutable Mercy.

Here is one of the paragraphs I was thinking of from the Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus:

Would that all sinners had recourse to this sweet mother! for then certainly all would be pardoned by God. “O Mary,” exclaims St. Bonaventure in rapturous astonishment, “thou embracest with maternal affection a sinner despised by the whole world, nor dost thou leave him until thou has reconciled the poor creature with his judge”; meaning that the sinner, whilst in the state of sin, is hated and loathed by all, even by inanimate creatures; fire, air, and earth would chastise him, and avenge the honor of their outraged Lord. But if this unhappy creature flies to Mary, will Mary reject him? Oh, no: provided he goes to her for help, and in order to amend, she will embrace him with the affection of a mother, and will not let him go, until, by her powerful intercession, she has reconciled him with God, and reinstated him in grace.
Chapter I

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks so much, dear patricius, for that clarification!

Would that all sinners had recourse to this sweet mother! for then certainly all would be pardoned by God. “O Mary,” exclaims St. Bonaventure in rapturous astonishment, “thou embracest with maternal affection a sinner despised by the whole world, nor dost thou leave him until thou has reconciled the poor creature with his judge” ; meaning that the sinner, whilst in the state of sin, is hated and loathed by all, even by inanimate creatures; fire, air, and earth would chastise him, and avenge the honor of their outraged Lord. But if this unhappy creature flies to Mary, will Mary reject him? Oh, no: provided he goes to her for help, and in order to amend, she will embrace him with the affection of a mother , and will not let him go, until, by her powerful intercession, she has reconciled him with God, and reinstated him in grace.
Chapter I

This fuller context helps so much – for if we do not ask, we cannot receive, if we do not seek we cannot find, if we do not continually knock on the door how can we expect it to open? How sweet to hear those words:

…But if this unhappy creature flies to Mary, will Mary reject him? Oh no, provided he goes to her for help, and in order to amend, she will embrace him with the affection of a mother , and will not let him go, until, by her powerful intercession, she has reconciled him with God, and reinstated him in grace.

How Merciful God is in giving us a human mother who perfectly reflects His Mercy! She is human as we are and yet she knows He has regard for our lowliness as he has shown us by becoming one of us, by the power of the Holy Spirit in her womb. He wants to do wonders in us too.

Thanks again, dear brother, for you love of Jesus through Mary.

 

[patricius79]

How Merciful God is in giving us a human mother who perfectly reflects His Mercy!

Exactly. God is so Good!

 

[Justin_Mary]

Would any of you devoted Marians care to share practical examples of how you do everything “through” her?

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Justin - First thing, after I wake up, I pray, " O Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary I offer you, all my prayers works joys and suffering of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass…" Once out of the bed I put on my medal of Mary and pray “I am all yours, my Queen and my Mother and all I have is yours, keep me guard me as your property and possession”

My husband and I pray the Liturgy of the Hours before breakfast, and I always add a petition asking for help through Mary. Getting breakfast and other meals, doing dishes and other chores, I try to think of how Mary did her work at Nazareth. I’m retired now, but as a teacher, I used to call upon her often and try to imitate her in caring for the children or young adults or older persons in my care,

My husband and I pray our Rosary together at night and often before we start I’ll mention some needs of family and/ or friends.

As St. Louis de Montfort wrote in his Supplement about how tho practice “True Devotion” at Holy Communion – see (https://www.ewtn.com/library/Montfort/TRUEDEVO.HTM#Supplement), “ask Mary to give you her heart” and he adds at the end:

1. There are innumerable other thoughts with which the Holy Spirit will inspire you, which he will make yours if you are thoroughly recollected and mortified, and constantly faithful to the great and sublime devotion which I have been teaching you. But remember, the more you let Mary act in your Communion the more Jesus will be glorified. The more you humble yourself and listen to Jesus and Mary in peace and silence - with no desire to see, taste or feel - then the more freedom you will give to Mary to act in Jesus’ name and the more Jesus will act in Mary. For the just man lives everywhere by faith, but especially in Holy Communion, which is an action of faith.

Hope that helps a bit!

 

[patricius79]

Hi Justin Mary,

Simply invoking her frequently is very important to me. St. Alphonsus affirms St. Germanus’s teaching that invoking Mary is to the soul what breathing is to the body. I believe that St. Louis makes a similar comparison, saying that:

“as respiration is a certain sign the body is not dead, the frequent thought and loving invocation of Mary is a certain sign the soul is not dead by sin.”
True Devotion To Mary by Saint Louis de Montfort

 

[patricius79]

P.S.

St. Alphonsus Liguori devotes a whole chapter to the sweetness of the Most Holy Name of Mary, in “The Glories of Mary”.

Here is one of my favorite paragraphs, where he quotes doctors of the Church like St. Ephrem and St. Bonaventure:

St. Ephrem goes so far as to say, “that the name of Mary is the key of the gates of heaven”, in the hands of those who devoutly invoke it. And thus it is not without reason that St. Bonaventure says “that Mary is the salvation of all who call upon her:” for he addresses her, saying: “O salvation of all who invoke thee!”, meaning, that to obtain eternal salvation and invoke her name are synonymous; and Richard of St. Laurence affirms, “that the devout invocation of this sweet and holy name leads to the acquisition of superabundant graces in this life, and a very high degree of glory in the next”. “If then, O brethren,” concludes Thomas à Kempis, “you desire consolation in every labor, have recourse to Mary; invoke the name of Mary, honor Mary, recommend yourselves to Mary, rejoice with Mary, weep with Mary, pray with Mary, walk with Mary, seek Jesus with Mary; in fine, desire to live and die with Jesus and Mary. By acting thus you will always advance in the ways of God, for Mary will most willingly pray for you, and the Son will most certainly grant all that his Mother asks”.
Chapter X