"...But there is an essential condition

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”, we conclude today his description of “Presumptuous devotees” and ponder also “Inconstant Devotees”:

1. Such means are surprisingly effective in converting even the hardened sinner. Should you be such a sinner, with one foot in the abyss, I advise you to do as I have said. But there is an essential condition. You must perform these good works solely to obtain from God, through the intercession of our Lady, the grace to regret your sins, obtain pardon for them and overcome your evil habits, and not to live complacently in the state of sin, disregarding the warning voice of conscience, the example of our Lord and the saints, and the teaching of the holy gospel.

Inconstant devotees

1. Inconstant devotees are those whose devotion to our Lady is practised in fits and starts. Sometimes they are fervent and sometimes they are lukewarm. Sometimes they appear ready to do anything to please our Lady, and then shortly afterwards they have completely changed. They start by embracing every devotion to our Lady. They join her confraternities, but they do not faithfully observe the rules. They are as changeable as the moon, and like the moon Mary puts them under her feet. Because of their fickleness they are unworthy to be included among the servants of the Virgin most faithful, because faithfulness and constancy are the hallmarks of Mary’s servants. It is better not to burden ourselves with a multitude of prayers and pious practices but rather adopt only a few and perform them with love and perseverance in spite of opposition from the devil the world and the flesh.

Come Holy Spirit, kindle in us the Fire of Your Love. Enable us to recognize the true from the false, that we may learn to be True servants of God as Mary was on this earth. Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, make our hearts like Yours!

 

[StephieNorthCo]

Thanks for these. Just getting back from Adoration and a visit to thank Our Lady.

The only added comment on those whose devotion to Our Lady is practiced in fits and starts, is that sometimes true and constant devotion starts that way. If I look at my own continuing journey, to where I was, say 20 years ago, there’s an ocean of difference.

Blessings,

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephanie,

Thanks so much for your reply, and I thank God for His tender Mercies in showing to all of us who ask and seek His Will as Mary did, that we can by His Grace see our past errors and repent of them! I look back farther than your 20 years to see my own failures, and continue to ask and seek His Grace to learn more and more of His Truth and to do His Truth in Love.

We need to continually fight against the temptations to fall back into any of these “false devotions” for the evil one prowls around seeking whom he may devour. We need to resist him and remain steadfast in our faith, by God’s Grace coming to us through Mary.

Pondering today’s words from St. Louis de Montfort:

…faithfulness and constancy are the hallmarks of Mary’s servants.

Yes, we may begin with the desire to live our devotion to Mary in truth, but drift off into inconstancy – as we can drift off into any or even all of the other “false devotions” and find ourselves far from our “first Love” and the desire we began to live. However, the beauty of God’s Mercy is like the father in the “Parable of the prodigal son”, Our Father is continually looking for us to come back to Him, and especially through Mary.

So let us continue to trust in His Love for us and Mary’s loving intercession with Jesus, to keep us growing in Supernatural Faith, Hope and above all Charity which we received in Baptism and renew in our Total Consecration. Please let us pray for one another and for all those in most need of God’s Mercy.

 

[Katie777]

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.) .

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Katie,

Thanks for your reply. The picture and prayer you posted reminded me of St. Louis De Montfort’s “Supplement” in his treatise on "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, " since he describes how to practice True Devotion in receiving Holy Eucharist. See HERE – scroll down to find paragraphs 266 - 273 for the “Supplement” in the treatise on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”

I try to remember before receiving Holy Communion, as St. Louis suggests:

"…Implore Mary to lend you her heart so that you may receive her Son with her dispositions. Remind her that her Son’s glory requires that he should not come into a heart so sullied and fickle as your own, which could not fail to diminish his glory and might cause him to leave. Tell her that if she will take up her abode in you to receive her Son - which she can do because of the sovereignty she has over all hearts - he will be received by her in a perfect manner without danger of being affronted or being forced to depart. “God is in the midst of her. She shall not be moved.” …

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us! Jesus we trust in You!

 

[patricius79]

It is better not to burden ourselves with a multitude of prayers and pious practices but rather adopt only a few and perform them with love and perseverance in spite of opposition from the devil the world and the flesh.

May our Lady give us the grace to follow all of her inspirations from the Holy Spirit.

Here is more from St. Bonaventure:

Judge me, O Lady, for I have departed from my innocence: but because I have hoped in
thee I shall not become weak.
Enkindle my heart with the fire of thy love: and with the girdle of chastity bind my reins.
For thy mercy and thy clemency are before my eyes: and I was delighted in the voice of
thy praise.
O Lady, I have loved the beauty of thy face: and I have revered thy sacred majesty.
Praise ye her name, for she is holy: let her wonders be declared forever.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
https://d2wldr9tsuuj1b.cloudfront.n...re-The Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary.pdf