"...too sublime to be appreciated and undertaken by everyone..."

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Still more Strong Motives to recommend “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin” which includes Consecrating oneself Totally to Jesus through Mary:

1. Father Stanislaus Phalacius of the Society of Jesus spread this devotion widely in Poland.

Father de los Rios in the book quoted above mentions the names of princes and princesses, bishops and cardinals of different countries who embraced this devotion.

Father Cornelius a Lapide, noted both for holiness and profound learning, was commissioned by several bishops and theologians to examine it. The praise he gave it after mature examination, is a worthy tribute to his own holiness. Many other eminent men followed his example.

The Jesuit Fathers, ever zealous in the service of our Blessed Lady, presented on behalf of the sodalities of Cologne to Duke Ferdinand of Bavaria, the then archbishop of Cologne, a little treatise on the devotion, and he gave it his approval and granted permission to have it printed. He exhorted all priests and religious of his diocese to do their utmost to spread this solid devotion.

1. Cardinal de B‚rulle, whose memory is venerated throughout France, was outstandingly zealous in furthering the devotion in France, despite the calumnies and persecutions he suffered at the hands of critics and evil men. They accused him of introducing novelty and superstition. They composed and published a libellous tract against him and they - rather the devil in them - used a thousand stratagems to prevent him from spreading the devotion in France. But this eminent and saintly man responded to their calumnies with calm patience. He wrote a little book in reply and forcefully refuted the objections contained in it. He pointed out that this devotion is founded on the example given by Jesus Christ, on the obligations we have towards Him and on the promises we made in holy baptism. It was mainly this last reason which silenced his enemies. He made clear to them that this consecration to the Blessed Virgin, and through her to Jesus, is nothing less than a perfect renewal of the promises and vows of baptism. He said many beautiful things concerning this devotion which can be read in his works.
2. In Fr. Boudon’s book we read of different popes who gave their approval to this devotion, the theologians who examined it, the hostility it encountered and overcame, the thousands who made it their own without censure from any pope. Indeed it could not be condemned without overthrowing the foundations of Christianity. It is obvious then that this devotion is not new. If it is not commonly practised, the reason is that it is too sublime to be appreciated and undertaken by everyone.

Come Holy Spirit, fill us with Your Love, to live ALL for Jesus, through Mary.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Mike, Stephie, and Convert3,

Thanks to all of you for your “hearts”. I hope the words of St. Louis de Montfort, have truly kindled the Holy Spirit’s Fire of Love in your hearts, as you prayerfully read and pondered these excerpts from his book. Today, in the new thread I will post after this, we’ll continue to hear from St. Louis even more motives for embracing and living the “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin” he explains in his book. Please let us pray for one another, for the Church and for all those in most need of His Mercy.

 

[StephieNorthCo]

Absolutely! Judging by some of the threads in the fora, it’s time to shift into constant prayer mode.

God Bless,

 

[patricius79]

Amen. And the easiest way to pray always is to invoke the Most Holy Names of Mary and Jesus.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear midori and patricius,

Thanks for your “hearts” – It is so very important for all of us in the Catholic Church to hear and to obey the Words of Jesus from His Cross as John the Beloved disciple obeyed:

“Behold your Mother”

Too many people have so little appreciation for God and His Mother in the present culture of almost every country. There are a few places where faith does remain strong, but we are a “little flock”.

Today is the Feast of Pope St. John Paul II and a good time to repeat his words to the Legion of Mary in Italy:

…Where the Mother is, there too is the Son. When one moves away from the Mother, sooner or later he ends up keeping distant from the Son as well. It is no wonder that today, in various sectors of secularised society, we note a widespread crisis of faith in God, preceded by a drop in devotion to the Virgin Mother… – Address to Legionaries, Oct.30, 1982

St. John Paul II wrote that reading St. Louis de Montfort was a “turning point” in his young life. He took as his Papal Motto: “Totus Tuus” words of St. Louis de Montfort, translated “All Yours” from St. Louis de Montfort’s Total Consecration Prayer to Jesus through Mary.

St. John Paul II lived the words of His Total Consecration and spoke lovingly of Mary. May we, like all the Saints, obey Jesus by not simply “beholding her with a passing gaze once in awhile” – but rather – by God’s Grace may we truly “see her with the eyes of faith” as our Mother and Model, and take her into our lives as John the Beloved Disciple and all the saints have done.

 

[DBRANDT]

Thank you for sharing. I have been in love with the devotion and all of the writings of St Louis Marie de Montfort, which I have seriously studied and pondered for years…

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear DBRANDT,

Thanks so much for your sharing as well! How blessed are those who have heard deep in their hearts the Truth God has spoken through His Scripture and through the words and examples of His Saints! One of the reasons I have been so blessed by St. Louis de Montfort’s writings is because of his love for Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium of the Church.

So many “preach and teach” their own opinions and so seldom take time to listen to God speaking in the Scripture. St. Jerome so wisely said:

To be ignorant of Scripture is to be ignorant of Christ.

We are not called to be mere scholars of the law as the Scribes and Pharisees were, but like Mary and Joseph we are called to believe even when we do not understand. Like Mary especially – the Church is called to listen as Mary did to all Jesus said and did, pondering all in her heart. Mary is Mother and Model for the Church.

Thank for your love of Jesus through Mary, and may you ever share Jesus as Mary brought him to Elizabeth with haste and as she continues to bring Him to all who have room in their hearts to welcome Him!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie,

Thanks for your “faithful heart” and your continuing appreciation of Mary’s great “champion” St. Louis de Montfort. His writings have stood the test of time, continuing to help the Church over two centuries to learn and re-learn the Truth of Jesus coming to us through Mary and the importance of their union for us.

Please let us continue to pray for one another, for the Church suffering in so many ways, and for all in most need of God’s Mercy. Thanks again.