"...Old and New Testaments prove the truth of this..."

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

St. Louis de Montfort relies on Scripture first, and humbly he seeks also the testimonies and examples of the saints, in his writings. Continuing in Chapter 1 of his treatise on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin” let us listen prayerfully as he writes more on the truth:

1. The types and texts of the Old and New Testaments prove the truth of this, the opinions and examples of the saints confirm it, and reason and experience teach and demonstrate it. Even the devil and his followers, forced by the evidence of the truth, were frequently obliged against their will to admit it. For brevity’s sake, I shall quote one only of the many passages which I have collected from the Fathers and Doctors of the Church to support this truth. “Devotion to you, O Blessed Virgin, is a means of salvation which God gives to those whom he wishes to save” (St. John Damascene).
2. I could tell many stories in evidence of what I have just said.

(1) One is recorded in the chronicles of St. Francis. The saint saw in ecstasy an immense ladder reaching to heaven, at the top of which stood the Blessed Virgin. This is the ladder, he was told, by which we must all go to heaven.

(2) There is another related in the Chronicles of St. Dominic. Near Carcassonne, where St. Dominic was preaching the Rosary, there was an unfortunate heretic who was possessed by a multitude of devils. These evil spirits to their confusion were compelled at the command of our Lady to confess many great and consoling truths concerning devotion to her. They did this so clearly and forcibly that, however weak our devotion to our Lady may be, we cannot read this authentic story containing such an unwilling tribute paid by the devils to devotion to our Lady without shedding tears of joy.

Today is the Feast-day (Memorial) of St. Bernard another great champion of our Lady who wrote: “Numquam satis de Maria” - “Never enough of Mary!”. St. Bernard is also quoted as saying:

The three most important virtues are humility, humility and humility.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the Hearts of your Faithful. Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart make our hearts like Yours. Mary, most humble of all God’s Holy People, pray for us.

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks, dear patricius, for your “heart” which let’s me know you have listened to God’s Truth St. Louis de Montfort preached on his missions in France over 2 centuries ago, and that the Church has continuesd to preach by canonizing St. Louis de Montfort and promoting his writings. Even more, The Catechism of the Catholic Church states so clearly to the Church in our day:

II. DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

971 “All generations will call me blessed”: “The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.” The Church rightly honors "the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of ‘Mother of God,’ to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs… This very special devotion … differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration." The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an “epitome of the whole Gospel,” express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.

Tha word “intrinsic” is so important yet it seems to me people “skip over it”. The definition and its synonyms make it clearer: intrinsic means “essential” and some of the synonyms given are: “inherent”, “deep-rooted” and “ineradicable”. Why on earth do some want to change what God has willed from the beginning? It is certainly part of the mystery of evil. Let me quote God’s Holy Word:

… Whoever has ears, ought to hear…(Mark 4:9)

 

[patricius79]

Today is the Feast-day (Memorial) of St. Bernard another great champion of our Lady who wrote: “Numquam satis de Maria” - “Never enough of Mary!”. St. Bernard is also quoted as saying:

The three most important virtues are humility, humility and humility.

Thanks, MariaChristi, for letting me know today is St. Bernard of Clairveaux’s feast day. He is a Doctor of the Church and as you say a great devotee of our Mother. So it fits that he emphasized humility, which is Mary’s principal virtue.

Here is a famous and very consoling quotation from St. Bernard (as quoted by St. Alphonsus Liguori):

Let us then conclude in the words of St. Bernard: “O man, whoever thou art, understand that in this world thou art tossed about on a stormy and tempestuous sea, rather than walking on solid ground; remember that if thou wouldst avoid being drowned, thou must never turn thine eyes from the brightness of this star, but keep them fixed on it, and call on Mary. In dangers, in straits, in doubts, remember Mary, invoke Mary” (De Laude. V. M. hom . 2). Yes, in dangers of sinning, when molested by temptations, when doubtful as to how you should act, remember that Mary can help you; and call upon her, and she will instantly succor you. “Let not her name leave thy lips, let it be ever in thy heart.” Your hearts should never lose confidence in her holy name, nor should your lips ever cease to invoke it. “Following her, thou wilt certainly not go astray.” O, so, if we follow Mary, we shall never err from the paths of salvation. “Imploring her, thou wilt not despair.” Each time that we invoke her aid, we shall be inspired with perfect confidence. “If she supports thee, thou canst not fall;” “if she protects thee thou has nothing to fear, for thou canst not be lost:” “with her for thy guide, thou wilt not be weary; for thy salvation will be worked out with ease.” “If she is propitious, thou wilt gain the port” (De Laud V. M. hom . 2). If Mary undertakes our defence, we are certain of gaining the kingdom of heaven. This do, and thou shalt live (“Sic fac, et vives”— Luke x. 28).
Chapter II

 

[patricius79]

The word “intrinsic” is so important yet it seems to me people “skip over it”. The definition and its synonyms make it clearer: intrinsic means “essential” and some of the synonyms given are: “inherent”, “deep-rooted” and “ineradicable”. Why on earth do some want to change what God has willed from the beginning? It is certainly part of the mystery of evil

Yes, amen. Devotion to Mary is essential, “intrinsic to Christian worship”, as the Catechism says.

That passage from the Catechism, which you quoted, also says that devotion to Mary “greatly fosters” adoration of the Trinity.

I knew a woman who struggled with Mary somewhat, not out of ill will, but simply because her own earthly mother was so abusive. So I understand when people struggle subjectively over things like that. She did, however, consecrate herself to Mary.

But I think that it’s so important to understand how good the Mother of God is, and how much she does for us every moment of the day and night.

Here is one of my favorite passages from Pope Leo XIII’s Encyclicals on the Rosary:

Thus do those whose actions have disturbed their consciences need an intercessor mighty in favour with God, merciful enough not to reject the cause of the desperate, merciful enough to lift up again towards hope in the divine mercy the afflicted and the broken down. Mary is this glorious intermediary; she is the mighty Mother of the Almighty; but-what is still sweeter - she is gentle, extreme in tenderness, of a limitless loving-kindness. As such God gave her to us. Having chosen her for the Mother of His only begotten Son, He taught her all a mother’s feeling that breathes nothing but pardon and love. Such Christ desired she should be, for He consented to be subject to Mary and to obey her as a son a mother. Such He proclaimed her from the cross when he entrusted to her care and love the whole of the race of man in the person of His disciple John. Such, finally, she proves herself by her courage in gathering in the heritage of the enormous labours of her Son, and in accepting the charge of her maternal duties towards us all.

… All men, moreover, are filled with the hope and confidence that petitions which might be received with less favour from the lips of unworthy men, God will accept when they are recommended by the most Holy Mother, and will grant with all favours. The truth and the sweetness of these thoughts bring to the soul an unspeakable comfort; but they inspire all the more compassion for those who, being without Divine faith, honour not Mary and have her not for their mother; for those also who, holding Christian faith, dare to accuse of excess the devotion to Mary, thereby sorely wounding filial piety.
Octobri Mense (September 22, 1891) | LEO XIII