Aug.23 - Wk 1, Day 5 - "... that great grace which is the foundation of all others, the grace of self-knowledge"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It can startle us to ponder St. Louis de Montfort’s words this week:

They will turn to our Blessed Lady and beg her to obtain for them that great grace which is the foundation of all others, the grace of self-knowledge.

Yet, unless we are begging Mary whom Jesus gave us as Mother to help us, we may never receive from God the grace to know how much He has loved us, and never know how far short we have fallen from returning His love. When St. Louis urges us to pray to the Holy Spirit, “Lord, let me know myself” he knows the Father and Jesus sent their Holy Spirit upon the Church at Pentecost that we might come into the fullness of Truth with Mary.

Hopefully, we are not merely saying words when we pray to the Holy Spirit and Mary this week, but we by God’s Grace are praying with attention and devotion the prayers St. Louis de Montfort recommends in his preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary:

They will ask our Lord and the Holy Spirit to enlighten them saying, “Lord, that I may see,” or “Lord, let me know myself,” or the “Come, Holy Spirit”. Every day they should say the Litany of the Holy Spirit, with the prayer that follows, as indicated in the first part of this work. They will turn to our Blessed Lady and beg her to obtain for them that great grace which is the foundation of all others, the grace of self-knowledge. For this intention they will say each day the Ave Maris Stella and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.

Prayers - daily for Wk 1:
Litany of the Holy Spirit -Litany of the Holy Ghost | EWTN

Ave Maris Stella -The Prayer, Ave Maris Stella

Litany of the Blessed Virgin - Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Litany of Loreto | EWTN