"...external tokens are not essential..." (to True Devotion)

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We continue with some of the “suggested” exterior practices of devotion to Mary, in Chapter 7 of St. Louis de Montfort’s treatise on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”:

1. If it is not too inconvenient, they should recite every day of their lives the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin, which is composed of three Our Fathers and twelve Hail Marys in honour of the twelve glorious privileges of Mary. This prayer is very old and is based on Holy Scripture. St. John saw in a vision a woman crowned with twelve stars, clothed with the sun and standing upon the moon. According to biblical commentators, this woman is the Blessed Virgin.
2. There are several ways of saying the Little Crown but it would take too long to explain them here. The Holy Spirit will teach them to those who live this devotion conscientiously. However, here is a simple way to recite it. As an introduction say:" Virgin most holy, accept my praise; give me strength to fight your foes", then say the Creed. Next, say the following sequence of prayers three times: one Our Father, four Hail Marys and one Glory be to the Father. In conclusion say the prayer Sub tuum - “We fly to thy patronage”.
3. It is very praiseworthy and helpful for those who have become slaves of Jesus in Mary to wear, in token of their slavery of love, a little chain blessed with a special blessing.

It is perfectly true, these external tokens are not essential and may very well be dispensed with by those who have made this consecration. Nevertheless, I cannot help but give the warmest approval to those who wear them. They show they have shaken off the shameful chains of the slavery of the devil, in which original sin and perhaps actual sin had bound them, and have willingly taken upon themselves the glorious slavery of Jesus Christ. Like St. Paul, they glory in the chains they wear for Christ. For though these chains are made only of iron they are far more glorious and precious than all the gold ornaments worn by monarchs.

Many of us wear a medal or cross with a chain around our neck and may have not considered how beautiful an “exterior sign” can be to remind ourselves as well as others, but it needs to be remembered always not to practice any devotion for the “praise of men” but only for the Honor and Glory of Jesus through Mary." May the Holy Spirit, guide us into ALL Truth!

Come, Holy Spirit, kindle in us the Fire of Your Love and Truth!

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks, Mtatum, for your “heart” to let us know you read and appreciated St. Louis de Montfort’s words.

Hope you have read the whole of his little book or will read it, when you can. Advent is coming and may be a good time to read and ponder the wisdom God gave to this saint, as He gives to all His saints and those who are seeking Him in Spirit and in Truth. There is such a need for Catholics to regain their devotion to Mary the Mother of God and our Mother, given to us by Jesus from His Cross.

For over 2000 years Mary has been venerated and loved by Catholics worldwide but today we hear so few Catholic clergy preaching about her and few Catholic laity defending her. May God grant us His Grace to remain Faithful to His Truth as Mary did, on this earth. Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie and Torolf,

Thank you both for your “hearts” to let us know you read and liked the words God gave to St. Louis de Montfort in his treatise on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”

God is glorified in and through His saints and we are blessed in reading their works and seeing how they lived the Truth they heard from Him. St. Louis de Montfort has such a deep love for Scripture and his writing is filled with evidence of this. I hope if you have not read his little treatise, you may one day take it up and ponder his words which deserve to be read slowly and prayerfully. Pope St. John Paul II was wise in taking words from St. Louis for his own Papal Motto: “Totus Tuus” - “All Yours”.