True Devotion to Mary

True Devotion to Mary

The book “Daily Mediations on the Mother of God”, which I described in an earlier letter, was a remarkable book given to me and others in Old Forge by Fr Shane Lynch.  If you have read this book, then you may have already read excerpts from “The greatest single book of Marian spirituality ever written”: True Devotion to Mary by St Louis De Montfort.  On his feast day on April 28, Fr Houston of St Mary’s in Annapolis remarked that he knows of no priest who is not familiar with St Louis or fails to follow the practices of True Devotion.  In his Homily, Fr Sasco in Bedford Ma, announces St Louis as “One of the greatest figures in the history of the Church.”

Praised by popes, mystics, and theologians

This profound and powerful book presents Mary as an intercessor with Jesus, willed by God to be absolutely necessary for our salvation.  Among others it has been recommended by Mother Theresa and eight popes: Pius IX, Pope Leo XIII, Pope St Pius X, Pope Benedict XV, Pope Pius XII, Pope Pius XII, Pope Paul VI, and Pope St John Paul II.  From St John Paul,  “True devotion is indispensable to anyone who means to give himself without reserve to Christ - It was from De Montfort, that I have taken my motto totus tuus - I am all thine.”   From Cardinal O’Connell: “I have known of this form of devotion for many years, and I have never hesitated to recommend it.”  From Pope Benedict XV “The role of Mary mother of God and mediatrix of all grace ought not to be overlooked.  It is our conviction that a wider diffusion of this work, will draw souls from every walk of life to a greater perfection.”   … It is not just for priests.

The history of True Devotion

St Louis was born in Montfort-La Canne, France in 1673 and was ordained in 1700 where he became a French missionary instructing people in the Catholic Church, confidence in Mary and union with Jesus. He was opposed by the heretics and the protestants of his time and even by some Catholic Bishops, who banned him from preaching in their dioceses.  After the ban, he walked to Rome in protest, to petition the Pope himself who made him “Missionary Apostolic”  and encouraged him to continue his work in France. St Louis left many legacies but the “The Secret of The Rosary” and “True Devotion to Mary” were among his most significant.  If you read True Devotion, you will see for yourself that it is impossible to describe its magnitude and power.  But there is no better recommendation than a prophesy from St Louis:  “I clearly foresee raging beasts shall come in fury to tear with their diabolical teeth this little writing to smother it in silence and darkness.”  Indeed, True Devotion was hidden for most of the 18th century by the Protestants and heretics who persecuted followers of de Montfort for spreading devotion to Mary - a persecution which exists to this day – see the message of Fatima July 13. 1917 encouraging us to  “Pray in reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”  St Louis de Montfort’s writings were eventually rediscovered in 1842 and examined by the Holy See, who found no error in them and nothing which would hinder canonization of St Louis, which Pius XII did in in 1947.  The Imprimatur or permission to print True Devotion was granted by Francis Cardinal Spellman in 1949.  Vatican Council II declared that the practices and exercises of devotions to Mary recommended by the Church over the centuries are to be treasured. 

Outline and quotes from True Devotion

I find it difficult to write a summary of this book, perhaps because it was written by the great Saints of the Church - St Louis, St Augustine, St Damascene, St Anslem, St Bernard and others and you simply cannot paraphrase or summarize them.  Nevertheless, I have tried to provide an outline for you and some quotes from the book to get you interested.  If you read the book, however, you will see that this is no way to describe the devotion adequately – “it must be read and reread over and over for many years with the help of the Holy Spirit and Mary herself” as Pope St John Paul II described his encounter with the book.  It is not that the language is difficult or particularly hard to understand, on the contrary it was translated among others by Fr Fredrick Faber – a very readable author and it is pure poetry.  It is simply that the Holy Spirit reveals the Truth to us a little at a time in direct proportion to the graces we receive with fortitude and patience.

The necessity of devotion to Mary

•  “Mary is necessary for all men to attain salvation.”

• “All the gifts, virtues and graces of the Holy Spirit, and all the merits of her son Jesus  are distributed by Mary, to whom she wishes, when she wishes, and as much as she wishes.”

Fundamental Truths

•  “All true children of God have God for their Father and Mary for their Mother.”

•  “God the Father has given Mary the power to produce His Son, and all the members of His mystical body.”

Characteristics of True Devotion

• “True devotion to Mary is like that of a child’s confidence in his mother, it makes the soul have recourse to her in all its necessities with much simplicity and trust.“

• “It implores the aid of its good mother at all times in all places and above all things in its doubts, in its wanderings and temptations.”

Motives and wonderful effects

• “There is no better way to achieve holiness, no better way to please God and no better way to guarantee sanctity and eternal salvation. It is the easiest, fastest, most secure and perfect way. ”

• “Mary will love, foster,  nurture, conduct, defend, and protect her children as only a mother can“

• “With her prayers Mary will intercede and transform us into the likeness of her son Jesus.”

Practices of this devotion

• “To honor her, to mediate on her virtues, to contemplate her, to visit her shrines and Churches, to adorn her altars, to wear the Miraculous medal or Scapular and to celebrate her feasts.”

• “Never will anyone who says his Rosary every day, be led astray. “

• “All of our good works, all of our actions and merits past, present and future, must be laid at the feet of Mary and given to her to keep in heaven for us as our treasure

• Concentration of your entire self to Mary - achieved only  after years of prep and devotion

Summary (from mediations)

Mary is the Queen of heaven and earth who crushed the head of the serpent. All the angels, apostle’s martyr’s and saints bow down to Mary as her subjects.  She is our loving mother whose concern is to guide and direct her children into communion with Jesus for their eternal salvation.  She is our advocate and the dispenser of all Gods graces, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the merits of her Son Jesus. There is no easier way to salvation than by following Gods design, accepting Mary as our mother, and praying the rosary.  She will be with her faithful children at the hour of death and final judgement asking her son Jesus to have Mercy on their souls.  Jesus never refuses her, and she never refuses us.  

If you read this book and agree with me that it is the most profitable and simplest devotion to Mary and Jesus, then we both owe a debt of gratitude to Fr Lynch. 

My soul doth magnify the Lord

And my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior