True Devotion To The Blessed Virgin

[GoldenArrow]

That picture made my morning, too! Thank you.

 

[GoldenArrow]

Have Mercy,

You’re just going to fall in love with that book! It’s profound, challenging and rich in deep Christological insights. St. Louis was a man before his time.

God Bless!

 

[TOP]

EENS, Nice picture.
In an earlier post I said I would wait an see what my wife thought about the book. Well, as I am preparing for the consrecation and feel I am being lead in that direction, my wife is getting blasted by the world. She asked me about the book and its theology, but hasn’t had time to read it yet. She has started the nightly readings and prayers, but the kids are making it nearly impossible for her to meditate. Last night, she said discouraged, “I’m not going to be able to do this, I can’t even read the prayers”. Her work , school courses, and the family has really has her stressed. I’m trying to lighten the load the best I can, but the twins are very demanding of her. I on the other hand have felt Mary’s presence while meditating on my nightly rosary. I’m saddened, because I really would love for my wife to do this with me, so we can lift each other up from any doubt and travel this road together. I hope my family will pull together for this, Tim

 

[E.E.N.S]

EENS, Nice picture.
In an earlier post I said I would wait an see what my wife thought about the book. Well, as I am preparing for the consrecation and feel I am being lead in that direction, my wife is getting blasted by the world. She asked me about the book and its theology, but hasn’t had time to read it yet. She has started the nightly readings and prayers, but the kids are making it nearly impossible for her to meditate. Last night, she said discouraged, “I’m not going to be able to do this, I can’t even read the prayers”. Her work , school courses, and the family has really has her stressed. I’m trying to lighten the load the best I can, but the twins are very demanding of her. I on the other hand have felt Mary’s presence while meditating on my nightly rosary. I’m saddened, because I really would love for my wife to do this with me, so we can lift each other up from any doubt and travel this road together. I hope my family will pull together for this, Tim

Well I am glad to hear of your progress! I am sorry that your wife is so busy and stressed out. I once heard a quote (I don’t remember who it was from) that went something like this: Everybody should pray for an hour a day…and if you are too busy to pray for an hour a day, then you need to pray two hours!

But I realize that sometimes there just isn’t time to be able to do certain things. If she is having a hard time with finding time to do the consecration in these first 12 days (when it should only take about 5 minutes to do the reading and prayers), then she would be even more hard pressed in the third section when it also involves a couple of litanies and a rosary as well. But I digress - I think that it would be highly profitable for the two of you take an extra 30 minutes right before bed time to do this together, but it is something that you’ll have to discern and decide for yourselves.

May Our Lord, through the intercession of His Holy Mother, grant you both an abundance of grace to seek and strive to be ever more closely united to Him who is our only Good.

+TJTM

 

[TOP]

Yes , I know that right now it is only 5 minutes. She is concerned about her state of mind at the time (angry). I told her that while I am praying the rosary that I get distracted too, but it is not wasted. We have a 5 y.o. who won’t go to bed without mommy and even that is a challenge. Hopefully, this weekend we can have a talk about this and its importance for the family. Thanks, Tim

 

[E.E.N.S]

Yes , I know that right now it is only 5 minutes. She is concerned about her state of mind at the time (angry). I told her that while I am praying the rosary that I get distracted too, but it is not wasted. We have a 5 y.o. who won’t go to bed without mommy and even that is a challenge. Hopefully, this weekend we can have a talk about this and its importance for the family. Thanks, Tim

I hope my post didn’t sound to admonishing, it was simply meant for brotherly encouragement.

 

[havemercy]

Have Mercy,

You’re just going to fall in love with that book! It’s profound, challenging and rich in deep Christological insights. St. Louis was a man before his time.

God Bless!

Should I read it during winter break?

 

[TOP]

I hope my post didn’t sound to admonishing, it was simply meant for brotherly encouragement.

No , not at all. I just know it will take discipline to over come some obsticles. Tim

 

[Gearoidin]

I want to read this! We so need to add this to the bookclub.

I’d love to see this in the bookclub too.

Gearoidin

 

[GoldenArrow]

Should I read it during winter break?

Sure. Whenever you have time and when you’re ready. Nice thing is … the book is short. You can read it in an afternoon, but I recommend spreading it out over a week so that you can meditate upon Montfort’s words as you go. You’ll probably read it several times, as I have. It’s fantastic.

Someone else asked about which translation to use. For the modern English speaking person, the version True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin is appropriate. If you want an older translation, read True Devotion to Mary, translated by Father Faber. The message is the same in each. Both have Imprimaturs.

Comparing the two is like comparing the New American Bible to the Douay-Rheims Bible. Same message. Slightly different vocabulary.

God Bless!

 

[GoldenArrow]

For those lacking time to say the Rosary, a very nice alternative is the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin. Like the Rosary, it’s said on beads. You can buy one from one of the Montfortian Father sites. You can make one by tying a crucifix or a Montfort medalto a string and using knots to represent the beads.

My “drawing” of the bead configuration:

• — O— H H H H – O – H H H H – O – H H H H

Now, the above is NOT an Organic Chemistry equation! It’s a diagram of how to make a chaplet so you can say the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin. I tried to make a neat little diagram, but I couldn’t connect the last set of HHHH’s with the first O.

There is a Cross or Montfort medal on one end.

There are three Our Father Beads, represented by an “O”

There are three sets of four Hail Mary beads, represented by an “H”

After each set of four HM’s you say a Glory Be…

Don’t forget to get it blessed.

I’ll get the prayers for you in a moment.

Stay tuned!

God Bless!

 

[skeptictank]

Hello,
Has anyone read the book by St. Louis de Monfort about true devotion to the blessed virgin? I am considering an act of conscration, but I am having a battle with scruples. This has invaded my dreams even. I am litarlly frightened about this. Has anyone done this? What was your experience from this? Thank You, Tim

I’m very curious as to what consecration is. I’m not a catholic, and I’ve been trying to figure out what is meant by this. Also, someone else posted saying something about “coming to christ ‘through’ his morther”. Why would one need to do this? Why would one want to? Do we require an intercessor?

Skeptictank

 

[GoldenArrow]

The Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin
(Recommended as a Morning Prayer to obtain from God through Mary’s intercession the grace not to offend Him today).

ON THE CROSS OR MEDAL:
Virgin most holy, accept my praise.
And give me strength to fight your foes.

OUR FATHER …

HAIL MARY …
You are indeed blessed, Virgin Mary, in having brought forth the Creator of the Universe.
You gave birth to the one who made you, while ever remaining a virgin.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

HAIL MARY …
Virgin Holy and Immaculate, no tongue can praise you worthily.
For you bore in your womb the God whom the very heavens cannot enclose.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

HAIL MARY …
You are all beautiful, O Mary.
And free from every stain of sin.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

HAIL MARY …
The gifts bestowed on you, Virgin Mary.
Outnumber the stars of Heaven.
Rejoice O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

GLORY BE TO THE FATHER …

OUR FATHER …

HAIL MARY …
Queen of the whole world, we praise you.
Grant us a share in your heavenly gifts.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

HAIL MARY …
Treasury of all God’s graces, we praise you.
Grant us a share in your heavenly gifts.
Rejoice O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever

HAIL MARY …
Medatrix between God and man, we praise you.
Through your intercession may the Almighty be favorable to us.
Rejoice O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

HAIL MARY …
Victor over heresies and all that is evil, we praise you.
Guide us lovingly in the way of truth.
Rejoice O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

GLORY BE TO THE FATHER …

OUR FATHER …

HAIL MARY …
Refuge of sinners, we praise you.
Reconcile us with Almighty God.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

HAIL MARY …
Mother of orphans, we praise you.
Make us beloved children of our Father.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

HAIL MARY …
Joy of those who serve the Lord, we praise you.
Lead us with you to the happiness of heaven.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

HAIL MARY …
Advocate ever near us in life and death, we praise you.
Lead us with you to the Kingdom of God.
Rejoice O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

GLORY BE TO THE FATHER …

CLOSING PRAYERS:
Hail Mary, daughter of God the Father, mother of God the Son, spouse of the Holy Spirit, temple of the Blessed Trinity.

Hail Mary, my mistress, my wealth, my joy; Queen of my heart, my Mother and my life; my consolation, my dearest hope, my very heart and soul.

I belong to you entirely, and all that I possess is yours, Virgin blessed above all. May your soul be in me to glorify God; may your spirit be in me to rejoice in God.

Virgin most faithful, set your seal upon my heart, so that in you and through you I may be found faithful to God.

Grant, gracious Mother, that I may be numbered among those whom you love and instruct, whom you guide, cherish, and protect as your children. O Queen of Heaven, I renounce from this moment anything in me that does not belong to you. O daughter of the King of Kings, whose prinicpal glory is within, do not allow me to be distracted by things that are visible and transitory; grant, rather, that through God’s abundant grace, I may always be intent on the life within me, where I may find in God my delight, my wealth, my honor, my glory and my rest. Thus, through the Holy Spirit, your faithful spouse, and through you, His faithful spouse, may Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, be perfectly formed in our hearts for the greater glory of God our Father, forever and ever.

Amen.

From God Alone by St. Louis De Montfort, pp 515-515.

 

[GoldenArrow]

I’m very curious as to what consecration is. I’m not a catholic, and I’ve been trying to figure out what is meant by this. Also, someone else posted saying something about “coming to christ ‘through’ his morther”. Why would one need to do this? Why would one want to? Do we require an intercessor?

The Biblical Theology supporting this spirituality is explained in great detail by St. Louis De Montfort in True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. You can read it for free here: catholictreasury.info/TrueDevotion/Default.htm

There really is scriptural support for this spirituality.

St. Louis also makes it very clear that True Devotion to Mary is Christological. It leads to Jesus. It is not Mariolatry. We do not worship Mary.

We are simply imitating Jesus in his life with Mary in Nazareth, when he submitted to her authority as one of His parents. “Honor thy Mother, Honor Thy Father.” In fact, He submitted Himself so completely to His Parents: Joseph (stepfather) and Mary, that St. Louis describes Jesus’s submission as “slavery.” That is, Jesus submitted Himself so perfectly to the will of His earthly parents that one could call it “slavery.”

Jesus obeyed every Commandment perfectly, including “Honor Thy Father and Honor Thy Mother.”

This spirituality is an imitation of the life of Jesus Christ. Our Lord depended upon her as Mother during his infancy, childhood and young adulthood. (Church tradition says St. Joseph died before Jesus was Baptised by John the Baptist). They had a very close, intimate relationship. In fact, no human has or ever will have such a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Mary had with Him in Nazareth, and as she has with Him now, in heaven…

Anyway, St. Louis describes it best. Please take a look at his book before jumping to any conclusions.

God Bless!

 

[havemercy]

Thanks so much. I’ve always been interested in Montfort’s writings and this spiritual devotion. I hope to some day make this consecration. Perhaps sometime next year, or when ever I happen to be ready.

 

[skeptictank]

The Biblical Theology supporting this spirituality is explained in great detail by St. Louis De Montfort in True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. You can read it for free here: catholictreasury.info/TrueDevotion/Default.htm

There really is scriptural support for this spirituality.

St. Louis also makes it very clear that True Devotion to Mary is Christological. It leads to Jesus. It is not Mariolatry. We do not worship Mary.

We are simply imitating Jesus in his life with Mary in Nazareth, when he submitted to her authority as one of His parents. “Honor thy Mother, Honor Thy Father.” In fact, He submitted Himself so completely to His Parents: Joseph (stepfather) and Mary, that St. Louis describes Jesus’s submission as “slavery.” That is, Jesus submitted Himself so perfectly to the will of His earthly parents that one could call it “slavery.”

Jesus obeyed every Commandment perfectly, including “Honor Thy Father and Honor Thy Mother.”

This spirituality is an imitation of the life of Jesus Christ. Our Lord depended upon her as Mother during his infancy, childhood and young adulthood. (Church tradition says St. Joseph died before Jesus was Baptised by John the Baptist). They had a very close, intimate relationship. In fact, no human has or ever will have such a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Mary had with Him in Nazareth, and as she has with Him now, in heaven…

Anyway, St. Louis describes it best. Please take a look at his book before jumping to any conclusions.

God Bless!

Thank you very much. I always appreciate a helping hand. If I have any questions regarding the book, may I ask you?

Skeptictank

 

[E.E.N.S]

Thank you very much. I always appreciate a helping hand. If I have any questions regarding the book, may I ask you?

Skeptictank

You may ask me as well.

Let me make a couple of suggestions before you read the book - read the prefaces and introductions first. Also, if you decide to read the book, read the book in it’s entirety!

Other than that, enjoy and God bless!

 

[skeptictank]

You may ask me as well.

Let me make a couple of suggestions before you read the book - read the prefaces and introductions first. Also, if you decide to read the book, read the book in it’s entirety!

Other than that, enjoy and God bless!

I appreciate it, though it seems that I’m going to have to read it in sections, because of my schedule. Thanks for the tips, and the offer.

 

[E.E.N.S]

I appreciate it, though it seems that I’m going to have to read it in sections, because of my schedule. Thanks for the tips, and the offer.

LOL, when I said “read it in its entirety…” I didn’t mean all in one sitting, I just meant that even if you read something that you find particularly difficult to accept you should continue to read through and more than likely it will be explained in better detail. However, keep in mind that this is not a theological dissertation, it is a devotional work.

 

[skeptictank]

LOL, when I said “read it in its entirety…” I didn’t mean all in one sitting, I just meant that even if you read something that you find particularly difficult to accept you should continue to read through and more than likely it will be explained in better detail. However, keep in mind that this is not a theological dissertation, it is a devotional work.

Yes, I sometimes take things more literally than I ought to. You were right to warn me though. I read the bit regarding the sanctification of john the baptist through mary, and my first response was something like “What! That’s not in the bible!”. So I checked out the chapter being reffered to and my reaction was something like, “… oh… right.”. So far it promises to be an interesting if not enlightening read.

Skeptictank