St. Louis Marie de Montfort

St. Louis Marie de Montfort Biography

St. Louis Marie de Montfort was a French Roman Catholic priest and writer who was known for his strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his promotion of the Rosary. He was born on January 31, 1673 in Montfort-sur-Meu, a small town in Brittany, France. His parents, Jean-Baptiste de Montfort and Jeanne Robert, were wealthy farmers who provided him with a good education.

As a young man, Louis Marie felt a calling to the priesthood and entered the seminary at the age of 18. He was ordained a priest in 1700, and began his ministry in the diocese of Rennes. He quickly gained a reputation as a gifted preacher and was known for his strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In 1705, Louis Marie founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Company of Mary, also known as the Montfortians. The main purpose of this religious order was to evangelize and bring people back to the Catholic faith.

Louis Marie’s devotion to Mary and his promotion of the Rosary earned him many followers, but it also made him a target of criticism from some quarters. Despite this, he continued to spread his message of devotion to Mary and the Rosary throughout France and beyond.

In 1715, Louis Marie published his most famous work, “True Devotion to Mary,” in which he outlined his beliefs about the central role that Mary played in the life of a Christian. This book would go on to become one of the most widely read and influential works of Catholic devotion.

Louis Marie de Montfort died on April 28, 1716 at the age of 43. He was canonized a saint by the Catholic Church in 1947. St. Louis Marie de Montfort is now known as St. Louis Marie de Montfort. His feast day is celebrated on April 28.

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Detailed Biography of St. Louis Marie de Montfort

St. Louis Marie de Montfort was a French Catholic priest who lived in the 17th and 18th centuries. He is known for his devotion to the Virgin Mary, his missionary zeal, and his writings on spirituality and theology. He founded two religious congregations: the Daughters of Wisdom and the Company of Mary (also known as the Montfort Fathers). He was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1947 and is celebrated on April 28.

Early Life and Education

St. Louis Marie de Montfort was born on January 31, 1673, in Montfort-sur-Meu, a small town in Brittany, France. He was the eldest of 18 children, 10 of whom died in infancy. His parents were Jean-Baptiste Grignion, a lawyer, and Jeanne Robert, a pious woman who taught him to love God and Mary.

At the age of 12, he entered the Jesuit college of St. Thomas Becket in Rennes, where he excelled in his studies and showed a remarkable talent for poetry and rhetoric. He also developed a strong devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Rosary. He felt called to the priesthood and decided to join the Society of Jesus.

However, his father opposed his vocation and sent him to study law in Paris in 1693. There, he met a Sulpician priest, Father de la Barmondière, who became his spiritual director and encouraged him to pursue his priestly calling. He also met Father Leschassier, who introduced him to the writings of St. Francis de Sales and St. John Eudes.

In 1695, he renounced his inheritance and entered the seminary of St. Sulpice in Paris, where he received a solid formation in theology, philosophy, and spirituality. He was ordained a priest on June 5, 1700, at the age of 27.

Missionary Work and Persecutions

After his ordination, St. Louis Marie de Montfort felt an urge to preach the Gospel to the poor and the ignorant. He traveled throughout western France, giving parish missions and retreats, teaching catechism, administering sacraments, visiting prisons and hospitals, and organizing confraternities of the Rosary.

He preached with fervor and simplicity, using images and stories to illustrate his points. He also composed hymns and poems to inspire his listeners. He had a special gift for attracting sinners and converting them to God.

However, his preaching also aroused opposition from some clergy and civil authorities who disliked his methods and doctrines. He was accused of being a fanatic, a troublemaker, and a heretic. He was often expelled from dioceses or forbidden to preach by bishops or magistrates.

He suffered many hardships and persecutions during his missionary journeys. He was attacked by robbers, mobs, or soldiers; he was poisoned, shot at, or stoned; he was imprisoned, exiled, or slandered; he was afflicted by illnesses, hunger, or cold.

He endured all these trials with patience and joy, trusting in God’s providence and Mary’s protection. He often said: “God alone!”

Devotion to Mary

St. Louis Marie de Montfort had a profound love for the Virgin Mary. He considered her as his mother, teacher, queen, and mediatrix. He consecrated himself totally to her service and encouraged others to do the same.

He wrote several books on Marian devotion, such as The Secret of Mary , The Secret of the Rosary , The Love of Eternal Wisdom , and his masterpiece: True Devotion to Mary . In these works, he explained his doctrine of “holy slavery” or “perfect consecration” to Jesus through Mary.

According to this doctrine, one gives oneself entirely to Mary as her slave or property in order to belong more fully to Jesus as her Son. One renounces one’s own will, intellect, and possessions in favor of Mary’s will, wisdom, and treasures. One imitates her virtues and follows her example in everything.

St. Louis Marie de Montfort claimed that this devotion is the easiest, shortest, surest, and most perfect way to become a saint. He said that it is a secret of grace that God revealed to him for the end times.

He also prophesied that there would be great saints in the last days who would practice this devotion with fervor and spread it throughout the world.

Foundation of Religious Congregations

St. Louis Marie de Montfort also had a vision of founding two religious congregations: one for men and one for women.

The first one was the Company of Mary, also known as the Montfort Fathers. It was a missionary society of priests and brothers who would follow his spirituality and apostolate. He wrote a rule for them in 1705, but he could not obtain the approval of the Church authorities.

He gathered a few companions who shared his ideals and worked with him in his missions. He also entrusted them with the care of the shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar in St. Laurent-sur-Sèvre, where he had erected a statue of Mary.

The second one was the Daughters of Wisdom, a congregation of sisters who would dedicate themselves to the education and care of the poor, especially girls. He founded it in 1703 with the help of Marie-Louise Trichet, a young woman who became his first disciple and co-worker.

He also wrote a rule for them, but he faced many difficulties and oppositions from the local clergy and nobility. He had to move the sisters several times from one place to another, until he finally settled them in St. Laurent-sur-Sèvre in 1715.

Death and Legacy

St. Louis Marie de Montfort died on April 28, 1716, at the age of 43, in St. Laurent-sur-Sèvre. He was buried in the church of Our Lady of the Pillar, next to the statue of Mary that he loved so much.

He left behind a rich legacy of writings, hymns, poems, and prayers that have inspired countless souls to love God and Mary more deeply. His books have been translated into many languages and have influenced several popes, such as Pius IX, Leo XIII, Pius X, Pius XII, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI.

He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 and canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1947. His feast day is celebrated on April 28.

He is the patron saint of heralds of the Gospel and of those who have a special devotion to Mary.

Prayers to St. Louis Marie de Montfort

Prayer of Intercession to St. Louis Marie de Montfort

O St. Louis Marie de Montfort,
blessed apostle of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
teacher of the Rosary,
and founder of the Missionaries of the Company of Mary,
we thank you for your dedication
to spreading the Gospel message
and for your unwavering devotion to our Blessed Mother.

We ask for your intercession,
that we may imitate your love for Mary
and follow in your footsteps
as we strive to serve God and others.
Help us to embrace the Rosary as a powerful tool
for growing closer to Jesus and Mary,
and to share the beauty of this devotion
with all those we meet.

St. Louis Marie de Montfort,
pray for us,
that we may follow your example
in living a life of faith, hope, and love.
Amen.

Prayer to St. Louis Marie de Montfort

O St. Louis Marie de Montfort,
teacher of true devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
help us to imitate your love and devotion
to the Mother of God.

May we follow your example
in praying the Rosary daily,
that we may grow closer to Jesus and Mary
and experience the many graces and blessings
that this powerful devotion brings.

Guide us, St. Louis Marie,
as we seek to spread the Gospel message
and share the beauty of true devotion to Mary
with all those we encounter.

Pray for us, that we may always strive
to imitate your love and devotion to Mary,
and to live our lives in service to God and others.
Amen.

Quotes by St. Louis Marie de Montfort

“True devotion to the Blessed Virgin is a great means of salvation, and an excellent way of getting to know Jesus Christ intimately.”
“To honor Mary is to honor Jesus. To love Mary is to love Jesus. To pray to Mary is to pray to Jesus. To serve Mary is to serve Jesus.”
“By Mary, we are to understand the entire number of the elect who, as a consequence of their devotion to Mary, will be saved.”
“Mary is the channel through which God gives himself to us. Without her, we would not have received Jesus.”
“Mary is the most faithful echo of the Word of God, the most accomplished work of grace, and the masterpiece of the Holy Spirit.”
“Mary is the secure and easy way to Jesus, and the surest and shortest way to heaven.”
“By the Blessed Virgin’s maternal goodness, her compassionate love, and her power as the Queen of Heaven and earth, we may hope to obtain every kind of help and grace from God.”

Children’s Story about the life of St. Louis Marie de Montfort

In the small town of Montfort-sur-Meu in France, there was a boy named Louis Marie. Louis Marie was a kind and clever child, and he loved to learn new things. When he was old enough, he decided that he wanted to become a priest, so he went to seminary to study.

After many years of hard work, Louis Marie was ordained a priest. He was very excited to start serving God and helping others. One of the things that Louis Marie loved most was the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. He believed that Mary was a very special and powerful person, and he wanted to help other people learn about her and love her too.

To do this, Louis Marie started a group called the Missionaries of the Company of Mary. The Missionaries traveled all around France and beyond, preaching about Mary and teaching people how to pray the Rosary. The Rosary is a special prayer that honors Mary and helps us get to know Jesus better.

Louis Marie became very well known for his devotion to Mary and his promotion of the Rosary. He wrote a book called “True Devotion to Mary,” which became one of the most famous and influential books about Mary in the Catholic Church. Many people read this book and were inspired to learn more about Mary and pray the Rosary.

Even though some people did not agree with Louis Marie’s beliefs about Mary, he never gave up. He knew that Mary was a very important part of his faith and he wanted to share that with others. He continued to spread his message of devotion to Mary and the Rosary until the day he died.

Louis Marie was very loved by many people, and after he passed away, they asked the Church to make him a saint. The Church agreed, and Louis Marie was canonized a saint in 1947. Now he is known as St. Louis Marie de Montfort, and people all over the world pray to him for help and guidance.

Reflection on the Feast of St. Louis Marie de Montfort

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Louis Marie de Montfort on April 28th.

St. Louis Marie de Montfort was a truly remarkable and inspiring figure. His deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his promotion of the Rosary have had a profound impact on the Catholic Church and on countless individuals throughout the world.

One of the things that stands out about St. Louis Marie is his unwavering commitment to his beliefs. Despite facing criticism and opposition from some quarters, he never wavered in his devotion to Mary and his promotion of the Rosary. He knew that these things were important to him and he was willing to stand up for them no matter what.

Another thing that is striking about St. Louis Marie is his desire to share his faith and help others grow closer to God. Through his work as a priest and through the Missionaries of the Company of Mary, he was able to bring the message of the Gospel to countless people and help them experience the love and grace of God.

In our own lives, we can learn much from the example of St. Louis Marie de Montfort. We can strive to be as dedicated and committed to our own beliefs and values, and we can seek to share our faith and help others grow closer to God. By following the example of St. Louis Marie, we can make a difference in the world and bring about positive change in the lives of others.

What are lessons learned from St. Louis Marie de Montfort?

There are several lessons that we can learn from the life and example of St. Louis Marie de Montfort:

Devotion to Mary and the Rosary can be a powerful means of growing closer to Jesus and experiencing the love and grace of God.
It is important to stand up for what we believe in, even if it means facing criticism or opposition from others.
Sharing our faith and helping others grow closer to God is a vital part of living a meaningful and fulfilling life.
By living a life of service and devotion, we can make a positive difference in the world and bring about change in the lives of others.
Through prayer and spiritual practices such as the Rosary, we can cultivate a deep and meaningful relationship with God.

Next up: Biography of St. Louise de Marillac

Also check out our handmade St. Louis Marie de Montfort Medal and St. Louis Marie de Montfort Rosary and St. Louis Marie de Montfort Rosary Bracelet.

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