Question on St Louis de Montfort's True Devotion to Mary

[hsmomforlife]

I am reading the above book and I have come to #81 and hope someone can clarify a few lines for me.

“In order to rid ourselves of self, we must die to ourselves daily. That is to say, we must renounce the operations of the powers of our soul and of the senses of our body…” and he goes on to quote 1 Cor 7:29-31

The part that I would like to hear discussion about is: “renounce the operations of the powers of the soul…” what exactly does that mean? I’m hoping that once I grasp that concept that I will be able to apply it to the ‘senses of our body’ but if anyone wants to chime in on that too…it can only help!

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[landon13]

I’m interested to hear response to this. I have wanted to start reading True Devotion but haven’t got the time yet. Are you enjoying it? Is it a very difficult read?

God bless!

 

[hsmomforlife]

I am enjoying it very much. It is not difficult to read, but it is not light or quick reading either! Sometimes there are little subtle differences and comparisons in each numbered section (a paragraph to a page long) and I find that I need to read much more slowly than usual and sometimes re-read. I don’t usually read more than 3 sections at one time. I like to take each section or two and spend time really thinking about it so I am using it as my morning ‘inspirational’ reading.

With May being the Month of Mary, I started reading this in early last month…I’m on p.50 now. Maybe I will finish by Thanksgiving

I’ve had some real ‘AHA!’ moments reading it…and this morning I hit the first section that wasn’t quite clear. I’m glad that this forum exists to ask these sorts of questions!
If anyone thinks this post belongs in another section…please let me know.

 

[Credo_in_Deum]

I am reading the above book and I have come to #81 and hope someone can clarify a few lines for me.

“In order to rid ourselves of self, we must die to ourselves daily. That is to say, we must renounce the operations of the powers of our soul and of the senses of our body…” and he goes on to quote 1 Cor 7:29-31

The part that I would like to hear discussion about is: “renounce the operations of the powers of the soul…” what exactly does that mean? I’m hoping that once I grasp that concept that I will be able to apply it to the ‘senses of our body’ but if anyone wants to chime in on that too…it can only help!

Thanks in advance for any help!

What he is talking about is mortifying our will, heart, intellect (the powers of our soul), and our senses because time is short and the greatest thing we can do is offer God these things. For example if you are someone who weeps during suffering, then try to not weep and be patient. If you are someone that typically buys things you desire, then try to not by things you desire. In short deny yourself not just bad things, but even good things for the love of God.

 

[hsmomforlife]

Thank you for the insight!
So basically we should make the act of subduing our self-desires and our self-thoughts, a daily ingrained habit in order that we may learn not to be a slave to our ‘self’ which would free us to be a slave to Mary so that she may lead us to her Son… am I on the right track?

I can understand how to mortify the will, and the heart…but I’m afraid I’m not sure I get how to mortify the intellect. (I am SURE there is some irony in that statement somewhere!LOL!) The only thing I can think of is to not spend so much time in thought and intellectual pursuit ???

Thanks again!

 

[landon13]

I am enjoying it very much. It is not difficult to read, but it is not light or quick reading either! Sometimes there are little subtle differences and comparisons in each numbered section (a paragraph to a page long) and I find that I need to read much more slowly than usual and sometimes re-read. I don’t usually read more than 3 sections at one time. I like to take each section or two and spend time really thinking about it so I am using it as my morning ‘inspirational’ reading.

With May being the Month of Mary, I started reading this in early last month…I’m on p.50 now. Maybe I will finish by Thanksgiving

I’ve had some real ‘AHA!’ moments reading it…and this morning I hit the first section that wasn’t quite clear. I’m glad that this forum exists to ask these sorts of questions!
If anyone thinks this post belongs in another section…please let me know.

I think I’m going to start reading through some of it real soon because I want to make the total consecration to Jesus through Mary soon probably on the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Which edition did you use? I have the newer Tan press version.

 

[bsroufek]

One example of greatly mortifying one’s own self, will and intellect is to receive Holy Communion ONLY for the intentions of Our Lady Mary, rather than your own intentions, believing that her insight, viewpoint and ministry are far superior to yours.

This is not always easy, but what I sometimes do is offer Holy Communion for the Intentions of Our Lady Mary and THEN ask Our Lady for my own intentions if they are really that important.

In this way, I still submit to Our Lady’s Intentions but also ask for my own intentions from her.

 

[hsmomforlife]

Which edition did you use? I have the newer Tan press version.

I have the Tan version also…translated by Fr. Frederick Faber.

 

[hsmomforlife]

One example of greatly mortifying one’s own self, will and intellect is to receive Holy Communion ONLY for the intentions of Our Lady Mary, rather than your own intentions, believing that her insight, viewpoint and ministry are far superior to yours.

This is not always easy, but what I sometimes do is offer Holy Communion for the Intentions of Our Lady Mary and THEN ask Our Lady for my own intentions if they are really that important.

In this way, I still submit to Our Lady’s Intentions but also ask for my own intentions from her.

Ok, I’ve thought about this all day and I have to say that I’m confused. I have never received Holy Communion for any intentions…I just don’t get that concept. I receive Holy Communion…and I have intentions when I pray…but how does one receive something with an intention? I understand having a ‘special intention’ to pray for…and that’s on the asking end of the prayer. How does one receive something for a particular intention?
Sorry if I’m just being dense here, but some more info would be helpful…

Thanks!

 

[Ad_Orientem]

How does one receive something for a particular intention?

In Holy Communion we get sanctifying grace and actual grace. Sanctifying grace is supernatural life wherein we partake of the divine nature. Actual grace is divine aid for specific circumstances (usually light to the mind or strength to the will), for example the grace of conversion. We can obtain actual graces for others through prayer; and we can offer up for others the actual graces we receive in Holy Communion, simply by having this intention.

This is different from having a Mass offered for someone. In that case the priest offers the Sacrifice of the Mass for them, again bestowing actual graces, along with propitiation and satisfaction for sin, with or without you receiving Holy Communion.

 

[hsmomforlife]

Thank you for your reply! I understand it fully now. I guess I never thought of specifying my thoughts or intentions on the actual grace…I just received the Lord and let that consume me.
Of course, a good reply generates a deeper question…right?
SO…

…We can obtain actual graces for others through prayer; and we can offer up for others the actual graces we receive in Holy Communion, simply by having this intention.

I’m not sure how to phrase this, so, please, bear with me…could it be an issue of humility (or lack thereof) to be unaware or unknowingly unwilling to offer up the actual graces received in Holy Communion?

So if I understand…by consecrating oneself to Mary, one is offering the actual graces received during Communion for whatever intentions Mary may hold dear, instead of for whatever intentions we ourselves hold dear? That is a way to ‘die to self’ on a daily basis…right?

 

[bsroufek]

So if I understand…by consecrating oneself to Mary, one is offering the actual graces received during Communion for whatever intentions Mary may hold dear, instead of for whatever intentions we ourselves hold dear? That is a way to ‘die to self’ on a daily basis…right?

You have it right, but I should explain that we personally receive HUGE grace from Holy Communion, much more than we ourselves will take advantage of. This and the trust in Our Lady that she will dispense (as Mediatrix of All Graces) to you whatever graces you may need and use the remainder for Her intentions is also a mortifying act of faith.