St. Louis Marie de Montfort 18th Century

Feastday 28th April

Born 1673

Died 1716

Born poor. Studied in Paris, and ordained in 1700. While a seminarian he delighted in researching the writings of Church Fathers, Doctors and Saints as they related to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom he was singularly devoted. Under Mary's inspiration, he founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Wisdom, a religious institute of women devoted to the care of the desititute. During this work, he began his apostolate of preaching the Rosary and authentic Marian devotion. He preached so forcefully and effectively against the errors of Jansenism that expelled from several dioceses in France. In Rome Pope Clement XI conferred on him the title and authority of Missionary Apostolic, which enabled him to continue his apostolate after returning to France. He preached Mary everywhere and to everyone. A member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, Saint Louis was one of the greatest apostles of the Rosary in his day, and by means his miraculously inspiring book, The Secret of the Rosary, he is still so today; the most common manner of reciting the Rosary is the method that originated with Saint Louis's preaching. In 1715, he founded a missionary band known as the Company of Mary. His greatest contribution to the Church and world is Total Consecration to the Blessed Virgin. He propagated this in his day by preaching and after his own death by his other famous book True Devotion to Mary. Consecration to Mary is for Saint Louis the perfect manner of renewing one's baptismal promises. His spirituality has been espoused by millions, especially Pope John Paul II, who has consecrated not only himself but every place he has visited as pope. In True Devotion to Mary, Saint Louis prophesied that the army of souls consecrated to Mary will be Her instrument in defeating the Devil and his Antichrist. As Satan gains power in the world, so much more shall the new Eve triumph over him and crush his head. ¹

1. Taken from the Patron Saints Index at http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintl05.htm

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“The power of Mary over all evils will be particularly outstanding in the last period of time. She will extend the Kingdom of Christ over the idolaters and Muslims, and there will come a glorious era when Mary is the Ruler and Queen of Hearts…” ¹

“I have said that this would come to pass, particularly at the end of the world and indeed presently, because the Most High and His most Holy Mother has to form for Himself great saints who shall surpass most of the other saints in sanctity as much as the cedars of Lebanon outgrow the little shrubs. These great souls, full of grace and zeal shall be chosen to match themselves against the enemies of God, who shall rage on all sides; and they shall be singularly devoted to Our Blessed Lady, illuminated by her light, strengthened by her nourishment, led by her spirit, supported by her arm and sheltered under her protection, so that they shall fight with one hand and build with another. With the one hand they shall fight and overthrow and crush the heretics with their heresies, the schismatics with their shisms, the idolaters with their idolatries and the sinners with their impieties…by their words and examples they shall draw the whole world to true devotion to Mary. This shall bring upon them many enemies but also bring many victories and much Glory for God alone” ²

References

1. Yves Dupont, Catholic Prophecy (Tan Books and Publishers 1970) p 33

2. Montford True Devotion to Mary (Montford Publications, Bayshore. NY) as quoted by Ted and Maureen Flynn Thunder of Justice: The Miracle, The Warning, The Chastisement, The Era of Peace Maxkol Communications 1993 p260