Do we "want" to be trained by Mary?

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

St. Therese of Lisieux wisely said: “Everything is Grace”. When we read her writings and the writings of other saints we see how truly they cooperated with God’s Grace. I do not doubt God’s Word in Timothy 2:4 that God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,” but do we desire as God desires? Do we cooperate with the Grace He gives? Do we “want” to be trained by Mary? It is a mysterious working of our will in union with His Will, it seems to me, whereby we are called to “work out our salvation…”.(cf Phil 2:12)

In writing his little treatise on True Devotion, St. Louis de Montfort speaks of apostles of the end times:

58… filled as they are with the resolve to seek the glory of God and the salvation of souls…

1. …true disciples of Jesus Christ, imitating his poverty, his humility, his contempt of the world and his love. They will point out the narrow way to God in pure truth according to the holy Gospel, and not according to the maxims of the world… They will have the two-edged sword of the word of God in their mouths and the blood-stained standard of the Cross on their shoulders. They will carry the crucifix in their right hand and the rosary in their left, and the holy names of Jesus and Mary on their heart. The simplicity and self-sacrifice of Jesus will be reflected in their whole behaviour.

Such are the great men who are to come. By the will of God Mary is to prepare them to extend his rule over the impious and unbelievers. But when and how will this come about? Only God knows. For our part we must yearn and wait for it in silence and in prayer: “I have waited and waited.”

In our day, there is such a need for great-souled men and women willing to depend on Mary as Jesus did in his birth and infancy, who will grow as Jesus did in wisdom age and grace. Having been prepared by Mary, “trained” by her, for spiritual battle they will, it seems to me, submit themselves humbly to God’s Will as Jesus did in His Life, death, passion and resurrection. I wonder how many are willing to give all as Jesus and Mary did on this earth – saying with Jesus, “Thy will not mine be done” and with Mary, “Be it done to me, according to Your Word.”

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Kindle in us the Fire of Your Love!
Jesus we trust in You!
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

 

[franklinstower]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

St. Therese of Lisieux wisely said: “Everything is Grace”. When we read her writings and the writings of other saints we see how truly they cooperated with God’s Grace. I do not doubt God’s Word in Timothy 2:4 that God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,” but do we desire as God desires? Do we cooperate with the Grace He gives? Do we “want” to be trained by Mary? It is a mysterious working of our will in union with His Will, it seems to me, whereby we are called to “work out our salvation…”.(cf Phil 2:12)

In writing his little treatise on True Devotion, St. Louis de Montfort speaks of apostles of the end times:

In our day, there is such a need for great-souled men and women willing to depend on Mary as Jesus did in his birth and infancy, who will grow as Jesus did in wisdom age and grace. Having been prepared by Mary, “trained” by her, for spiritual battle they will, it seems to me, submit themselves humbly to God’s Will as Jesus did in His Life, death, passion and resurrection. I wonder how many are willing to give all as Jesus and Mary did on this earth – saying with Jesus, “Thy will not mine be done” and with Mary, “Be it done to me, according to Your Word.”

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Kindle in us the Fire of Your Love!
Jesus we trust in You!
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

For the last few years I have experienced the presence and influence of Mary in profound ways in my life her presence has been almost constant. She has taught me how to be much more humble, reflective, still, submissive and even though I am a man-- feminine.

Thank you so much for this post-- I have never heard the concept of being trained by Mary as Jesus was but it makes obvious sense now that you point it out. I spend a good deal of time in prayer every day, I am lucky enough to be so situated that I can do this without neglecting my other responsibilities. I only hope I am willing enough to surrender deeply enough to allow God to heal certain attachments that are holding me back spiritualy, they are subtle but nonetheless very real.

 

[MariaChristi]

For the last few years I have experienced the presence and influence of Mary in profound ways in my life her presence has been almost constant. She has taught me how to be much more humble, reflective, still, submissive and even though I am a man-- feminine.

Thank you so much for this post-- I have never heard the concept of being trained by Mary as Jesus was but it makes obvious sense now that you point it out. I spend a good deal of time in prayer every day, I am lucky enough to be so situated that I can do this without neglecting my other responsibilities. I only hope I am willing enough to surrender deeply enough to allow God to heal certain attachments that are holding me back spiritualy, they are subtle but nonetheless very real.

Dear franklinstower,

Thanks so much for your reply. I hope you will read and ponder the small book of St. Louis De Montfort, from which I quoted the words on Mary’s preparing saints for the end times. The online version of de Montfort’s book, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary can be read online HERE. If you prefer to buy a copy you can purchase it HERE

This book is a spiritual classic which St. John Paul II said was the “turning point of his life”. He read it more than once as a young man and remembering St. JPII’s great devotion to Mary and how Mary “trained hiim” for all the spiritual battles he faced, it is sure proof Mary always leads us to Jesus. I encourage you and all those who read this thread, if you have not read DeMontfort’s book and consecrated yourself totally to Jesus through Mary as he teaches, please begin today!