Saint Louis Mary de Montfort
Feast Day: April 28
Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort is known for his strong love for Jesus and Mary. He lived in France in the late 1600s and early 1700s. He was a priest, a preacher, and a writer. He helped many people grow closer to God.
He is best known for teaching people to love Mary, the mother of Jesus. He believed that the best way to love Jesus was through Mary. He taught a way to give your whole life to Jesus by asking Mary to help you.
He wrote books to explain this. His most famous book is True Devotion to Mary. Many people read this book today.
Some people call him Saint Louis de Montfort or just Montfort. His full name is Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort. He is now honored as a saint in the Catholic Church.
A Simple Boy With a Big Calling
Louis-Marie was born in 1673 in a small town in France. The town was called Montfort-sur-Meu. That is where he got the name “de Montfort.” His family was poor but full of faith.
He was the oldest of many children. From a young age, he showed love for prayer and the Church. He also loved helping others, especially the poor.
When he was young, he went to study in Rennes. Later, he went to Paris to study to be a priest. Life in Paris was hard for him. He often had little food or money. But he kept going because he felt God was calling him.
He was ordained a priest in 1700. He was 27 years old. After that, he started his mission of preaching and helping the poor.
A Preacher Who Walked from Town to Town
After he became a priest, Louis-Marie started to preach in many towns. He walked from place to place. He spoke to farmers, workers, and poor families. He taught them about Jesus and Mary in simple words.
He often preached outside, in open fields or in front of churches. Many people came to hear him. He also helped rebuild churches and taught people how to pray the rosary.
Sometimes he faced trouble. Some church leaders did not like his style of preaching. They thought he was too emotional or too bold. He was even told to stop preaching in some places.
Still, he kept going. He trusted God. He believed he was doing what God wanted him to do. He never gave up, even when it was hard.
The Man Who Gave Everything to Mary
Louis-Marie is most known for his deep love for Mary. He believed that Mary brings us closer to Jesus. He taught people to give themselves completely to Jesus through Mary.
He called this “total consecration.” It means giving your whole life, your work, your thoughts, and your future to Jesus through Mary. He said Mary is like a gentle path that leads us to Jesus.
His most famous book is True Devotion to Mary. He also wrote The Secret of Mary and The Secret of the Rosary. These books explain how to pray and live with Mary’s help.
These writings were not well known while he was alive. But many years later, people found them and shared them. His way of loving Mary began to spread all over the world.
A Founder Who Inspired Many
Louis-Marie did not just preach and write. He also started religious groups. He founded the Company of Mary, also called the Montfort Missionaries. This group of priests and brothers still works today.
He also started a group called the Daughters of Wisdom. This group focused on helping the sick and teaching children. They were made up of women who wanted to serve God and others.
He hoped these groups would continue his mission. He wanted them to teach others about Jesus and Mary. He also wanted them to help the poor and forgotten.
These groups grew slowly at first. But after his death, they began to grow more. They are still active today in many countries.
A Saint for Those Who Love Mary
Louis-Marie died in 1716. He was only 43 years old. He became sick while preaching and helping others. Many people came to his funeral because they loved him.
He was declared “Blessed” in 1888. Later, he was declared a saint in 1947 by Pope Pius XII. This means the Church believes he is with God in heaven.
His feast day is April 28. He is the patron saint of those who teach about Mary. Many people who love Mary look to him for guidance.
One of the people most influenced by him was Pope John Paul II. The pope even took Montfort’s words as his personal motto: Totus Tuus, which means “All yours.” This showed his full trust in Mary, just like Montfort taught.
Daily Mass Readings
The readings for this memorial may be taken from the readings below, the Common of Pastors (for missionaries), or the readings of the day.
- First Reading – 1 Corinthians 1:18-25: Christ crucified may seem foolish, but he is God’s power and wisdom. God’s ways are greater than human thinking, and his strength goes beyond what people understand.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 40: I waited for the Lord, and he heard me. I came to do his will, spoke his justice, and carried his word in my heart with joy and trust.
- Gospel – Matthew 28:16-20: Jesus told his disciples to teach all nations, baptize in the name of the Trinity, and follow his commands. He promised to stay with them always, even to the end.
Homilies, Commentaries, and Reflections
Giving Everything to Jesus Through Mary
Saint Louis de Montfort teaches us how to follow Jesus with trust and love. He gave his whole life to preaching, serving, and helping others grow close to God. He did not look for comfort or praise. He walked from town to town, often with no place to stay. He kept going because he believed that every person needed to hear about Jesus.
One thing that stands out is his love for Mary. He believed that Mary always leads us to Jesus. He did not worship Mary. He saw her as a guide, a helper, and a mother. He asked people to give their lives to Jesus through Mary. This meant asking Mary to help them love Jesus more, serve Him better, and stay close to Him each day.
This can help us too. We often try to do everything on our own. But Montfort reminds us that we can ask for help. We can ask Mary to walk with us and bring us to Jesus. It’s simple. It’s not about doing big things. It’s about trusting and letting Mary help us follow Jesus more closely.
Saint Louis also shows us how to keep going, even when it’s hard. He was not always accepted. Some people pushed him away. But he stayed faithful. He kept preaching and helping others. His life reminds us not to give up when things are hard. God can use simple people who trust Him.
Reflection Questions:
- How can I give my life more fully to Jesus?
- Do I ask Mary for help in following Jesus?
- What is one small way I can stay faithful even when things are hard?
Resources
St. Louis de Montfort’s Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary
This new version of Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary by St. Louis de Montfort makes his classic book easier to read. It uses simple language while staying true to the original message. The book is now in a day-by-day format, helping readers take one step at a time. This version is meant to help more people follow the path to Jesus through Mary, just as St. Louis de Montfort taught. It’s a clear and simple way to grow in faith with the help of Mary.
Quotes and Social Media Graphics
Questions and Answers about Saint Louis Mary de Montfort
Who was Saint Louis de Montfort?
He was a Catholic priest from France. He lived in the late 1600s and early 1700s. He preached about Jesus and Mary.
What is he best known for?
He is known for teaching people to love and follow Jesus through Mary. He also wrote books about this.
What does “consecration to Jesus through Mary” mean?
It means giving your whole life to Jesus and asking Mary to help you do that.
What are his most famous books?
His most well-known book is True Devotion to Mary. He also wrote The Secret of Mary and The Secret of the Rosary.
Did he start any religious groups?
Yes. He started the Company of Mary (Montfort Missionaries) and the Daughters of Wisdom.
Was his life easy?
No. He faced many hard times. Some people did not like his preaching. He was also poor and often sick.
When did he die?
He died in 1716. He was 43 years old.
When was he made a saint?
He was canonized in 1947 by Pope Pius XII.
When is his feast day?
His feast day is April 28.
Why is he important today?
He helps people learn to love Jesus more. He teaches that Mary can lead us to Jesus. Many people still follow his teachings.
Loving Jesus the Way Montfort Did
Saint Louis de Montfort lived a simple life full of trust in God. He gave his time, his work, and his whole self to Jesus. He showed others how to follow Jesus too. He did this by preaching, writing, and serving the poor.
His strong love for Mary helped many people. He taught that Mary brings us close to Jesus. He did not keep this message to himself. He walked across the countryside to share it with everyone he could.
He also started groups that are still active today. These groups help others learn about faith and serve people in need. His books are still read by many people who want to grow closer to Jesus.
Saint Louis de Montfort is a good example for anyone who wants to follow Jesus with a simple and strong faith. His life shows us that small acts of love and trust can lead many people to God.
Your Turn
Want to grow closer to Jesus? Learn more about Saint Louis de Montfort and how he trusted Mary to lead him. His books are easy to find and simple to read. You can start with True Devotion to Mary or The Secret of the Rosary.
Have you ever tried asking Mary for help? Have you read anything by Saint Louis de Montfort? Share your thoughts in the comments below. We would love to hear how his life or writings have helped you in your faith.
Leave a Reply