"... terrible as an army in battle array..."

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As promised, yesterday, we’re posting # 6 and 7 from paragraph 50, and include today, part of paragraph 51 (concluding that tomorrow) of St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”

(6) In these latter times Mary must shine forth more than ever in mercy, power and grace; in mercy, to bring back and welcome lovingly the poor sinners and wanderers who are to be converted and return to the Catholic Church; in power, to combat the enemies of God who will rise up menacingly to seduce and crush by promises and threats all those who oppose them; finally, she must shine forth in grace to inspire and support the valiant soldiers and loyal servants of Jesus Christ who are fighting for His cause.

(7) Lastly, Mary must become as terrible as an army in battle array to the devil and his followers, especially in these latter times. For Satan, knowing that he has little time - even less now than ever - to destroy souls, intensifies his efforts and his onslaughts every day. He will not hesitate to stir up savage persecutions and set treacherous snares for Mary’s faithful servants and children whom he finds more difficult to overcome than others.

1. It is chiefly in reference to these last wicked persecutions of the devil, daily increasing until the advent of the reign of anti- Christ, that we should understand that first and well-known prophecy and curse of God uttered against the serpent in the garden of paradise. It is opportune to explain it here for the glory of the Blessed Virgin, the salvation of her children and the confusion of the devil. “I will place enmities between you and the woman, between your race and her race; she will crush your head and you will lie in wait for her heel” (Gen. 3:15).

NOTE: Again, due to the “word limit” set for posts on CAF, I’ll need to post the remainder of parapgraph 51 tomorrow. Certainly we have much to ponder in what we have posted today not only from St. Louis de Montfort but in praying over the powerful Mass readings for this 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’” (Rev. 2-7)

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Kindle in us, the Fire of Your Love!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear patricius,

Thanks for your “heart” to let us know you read St. Louis de Montfort’s words, taken from Chapter 1 in his treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. In paragraph # 7, it may surprise people to hear St. Louis say: “Mary must become as terrible as an army in battle array to the devil and his followers, especially in these latter times..”

Some of us will have recognized those words used in a different context in the Scripture.
St. Louis de Montfort took verse 10 in chapter 6 of from the Old Testament book : “The Song of Songs” (Douay-Rheims Bible). Any Legion of Mary Member would recognize that verse because we pray those words every day as an Antiphon before praying Mary’s Magnificat.

A Catholic Deacon once said he believed the Legion of Mary “lived” the Consecration of St. Louis de Montfort. This Deacon is himself an Active Legionary and serves as Spiritual Director. The Founder of the Legion, Servant of God Frank Duff and two Legionaries whom he sent out from Ireland to begin the Legion in other countries – Venerable Edel Quinn to Africa and Servant of God Alphonsus Lamb to South America – all three have causes in Rome headed toward Beatification and Canonization.

Cardinal Suenens wrote that the Legion is a “Saint-maker”. He was the postulater of Edel Quinn’s cause until he died. You can read more about these “saints-to-be” HERE Legion Prayers can be read HERE The antiphon from the Song of Songs which St. Louis used is part of what the Legion calls the “Catena” (Latin for chain = because it is the one prayer said by both the Auxiliary and the Active Members - it is like a “chain” binding all members together).

Frank Duff called the Auxiliary Members the “Prayer Wing” of the Legion. Latin words are used since the Legion was modeled on the Roman Army which conquered the world of its time. Frank Duff wanted the Legion of Mary to “conquer the world for Christ”. Active members work in various ministries to bring Christ into the world as Mary did, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie,

Thanks again for your “heart” letting us know you read the words of St. Louis de Montfort and appreciated them. Time and again, I have been impressed with St. Louis de Montfort’s love of Scripture and his constant references to God’s Word. The phrase describing Mary as “terrible as an Army set in battle array” is perhaps even more appropriate for our times, than when St. Louis de Montfort wrote them. The Catholic Church needs to remember today and in every day until and including the day He comes again – Jesus’ Words from His Cross: “Behold your Mother”

He has given us the one totally human person who has never sinned against Him to be our Mother and Model and is the Church in our day now forgetting her? Is the Church in our day looking for some “thing” or “someone else” to help us keep ourselves unstained by the “spirit of the world” so opposed to the Spirit of Jesus" ? Or has the Church in our time become so attached to the spirit of the world that many do not sense the evil one prowling around seeking whom he may devour?(cf 1 Pet 5:8)

We need to hear with the ears of our hearts, those words of Jesus from His Cross:

“Behold your Mother”

We need to “see with the eyes of Supernatural Faith” given to us at our Baptism – Mary, our Mother and Model standing at the foot of the Cross with her eyes fixed on Jesus!

 

[HolyWarrior]