It was de Montfort’s method of consecration to Our Lady that St. John Paul II made and led to his motto: Totus Tuus.
In Crossing the Threshold of Hope, St. John Paul II wrote, “Thanks to St. Louis de Montfort, I came to comprehend that true devotion to the Mother of God is actually Christocentric, indeed, it is deeply rooted in the mystery of the Blessed Trinity, and the mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption.”
On this tercentenary of St. Louis de Montfort, his writings and teachings remain ever fresh and encouraging. Let’s look at 12 of them from his works Treatise of True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, The Secret of the Rosary, and The Love of Eternal Wisdom.
(1) “It is through the most Blessed Virgin Mary that Jesus Christ came into the world, and it is also through her that he will reign in the world.”
(2) “Our entire perfection comprises in being conformed, united and consecrated to Jesus Christ. Hence the most perfect of all devotions is undoubtedly that which conforms, brings us together and consecrates us most perfectly to Jesus Christ. Now, since Mary is of all creatures the one most conformed to Jesus Christ, it follows that among all devotions that which most consecrates and conforms a soul to our Lord is devotion to Mary, his Holy Mother, and that the more a soul is consecrated to her the more will it be consecrated to Jesus Christ.”
(3) “If I were asked by someone seeking to honor our Lady, ‘What does genuine devotion to her involve?’ I would respond briefly that it consists in a full appreciation of the privileges and dignity of our Lady; in expressing our gratitude for her goodness to us; in zealously promoting devotion to her; in constantly appealing for her assistance; in being totally dependent on her; and in placing firm reliance and loving courage in her motherly goodness.”
(4) “The Rosary is the most powerful weapon to touch the Heart of Jesus, Our Redeemer, who loves His Mother.”
(5) “If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory. Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil as sorcerers do who practice black magic, and even if you are a heretic as obstinate as a devil, sooner or later you will be converted and will amend your life and will save your soul, if — and mark well what I say — if you say the Holy Rosary devoutly every day until death for the purpose of knowing the truth and obtaining contrition and pardon for your sins.”
(6) “If then we are establishing sound devotion to our Blessed Lady, it is only in order to establish devotion to our Lord more perfectly, by providing a smooth but certain way of reaching Jesus Christ.”
(7) “As she was the way by which Jesus first came to us, she will again be the way by which he will come to us the second time though not in the same manner.”
(8) “Since she is the sure means, the direct and immaculate way to Jesus and the perfect guide to him, it is through her that souls who are to shine forth in sanctity must find him. He who finds Mary finds life, that is, Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life…Mary then must be better known than ever for the deeper understanding and the greater glory of the Blessed Trinity.”
(9) “In these latter times Mary must shine forth more than ever in mercy, power and grace; in mercy, to bring back and welcome lovingly the poor sinners and wanderers who are to be converted and return to the Catholic Church; in power, to combat the enemies of God who will rise up menacingly to seduce and crush by promises and threats all those who oppose them; finally, she must shine forth in grace to inspire and support the valiant soldiers and loyal servants of Jesus Christ who are fighting for his cause.””
(10) “Never will anyone who says his Rosary every day become a formal heretic or be led astray by the devil.”
(11) “Never will anyone who says his Rosary every day be led astray. This is a statement that I would gladly sign with my blood.”
(12) “When the Holy Rosary is said well, it gives Jesus and Mary more glory and is more meritorious than any other prayer.”
