Growing closer to Jesus, through Mary

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Yesterday some of us pondered together the question: “Do we (or do I) magnify the Lord as Mary did and does?” God willing, during the next 3 days I’m pondering words from. St Louis de Montfort"s treatise on “True devotion to the Blessed Virgin”; it is so apparent how important humility and true knowledge of self is!

St. Louis outlined a 33 Day Program of Preparation for the Act of Total Consecration of oneself to Jesus through Mary, but also encouraged renewing this Consecration often, telling us we can renew it perhaps in just 3 days.

Yesterday I was especially struck by the need for Humility if we are to “Magnify the Lord” – so consistent with the encouragement we are given by Jesus Himself in the Gospels – especially His words: Learn of Me for I am Meek and Humble of Heart" (cf Mt 11:29) . Yesterday, I wrote:

We cannot begin to help others if we are not as Mary was and is : humbly aware of our lowliness before God who created us in love and for love.

It is amazing to me to ponder the humilty of Jesus in contrast to the “Me first” spirit of the world. So I’m not surprised St. Louis de Monfort began his 33 day preparation with 12 days seeking to rid ourselves of the Spirit of the world before beginning the First week of "Seeking a true knowledge of self. " He wrote:

…spend at least twelve days in emptying themselves of the spirit of the world, which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus…then spend three weeks imbuing themselves with the spirit of Jesus through the most Blessed Virgin. - paragraph 227 in “True Devotion”

And in paragraph 228 – During the first week they should offer up all their prayers and acts of devotion to acquire knowledge of themselves and sorrow for their sins.

Let them perform all their actions in a spirit of humility. With this end in view they may, if they wish, meditate on what I have said concerning our corrupted nature, …

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”… 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. …

Perhaps some would like to renew their Total Consecration with me on this Friday, Feb. 7. Perhaps some may simply want to continue pondering the importance of humility and a true self-knowledge today, if we are to grow closer to Jesus, through Mary. In either case, please let us pray for one another and for the Church, remembering as one member of the Body grows in holiness, we all grow.

 

[hazcompat]

Had I but Mary’s sinless heart
⁠To love Thee with, my dearest King,
Oh, with what bursts of fervent praise
⁠Thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing .

peace

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear hazcompat,

Thanks for your reply. I remember the hymn you quoted, and can still sing it as I learned it in childhood. This stanza you chose to post is particularly appropriate for today, as some of us are pondering our need for humility and for acquiring knowledge of ourselves and sorrow for our sins. It reminded me of paragraph 266 in St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”

Before Holy Communion

Place yourself humbly in the presence of God. Renounce your corrupt nature and dispositions, no matter how good self-love makes them appear to you….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… Beg her to lend you her heart, saying, “O Mary, I take you for my all; give me your heart.”

Thanks, again, hazcompat!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie, Little Flower, and patricius,

Thank you all for your faithful “hearts” and your love for Jesus through Mary. Reading from St. Louis De Montfort’s treatise on “True Devotion to th Blessed Virgin”, again today I’m remembered with much gratitude, the Dominican Sister who introduced our Junior Legion of Mary group to this Saint and his Act of Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary.

We were mere teenagers, but she gave us a gift, more precious than I could have imagined those many years ago – helping us to consecrate ourselves totally to Jesus through Mary at such a young age.

I hope each of you will continue to learn more from St. Louis de Montfort as he learned from the Lord. God’s Word can be read throughout his written work and the book which I believe led him to write “True Devotion to the Virgin Mary” was “The Love of Eternal Wisdom”.

If you are interested in reading these books the links will take you to the online versions. You can also find them on Amazon.com if you want to purchase your own copies. The “Love of Eternal Wisdom” is based on the Book of Wisdom in the Old Testament. Both books are comparatively short but need to be read slowly and prayerfully. They are truly “spiritual gems” for anyone seeking to grow closer to Jesus through Mary.