Readings and Prayers for St. Louis-Marie de Montfort’s Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary
FIRST WEEK
THEME FOR THE WEEK: KNOWLEDGE OF SELF
Prayers, examinations, reflection, acts of renouncement of our own will, of contrition for our sins, of contempt of self, all performed at the feet of Mary, for it is from her that we hope for light to know ourselves. It is near her, that we shall be able to measure the abyss of our miseries without despairing.
THEME FOR THE WEEK: KNOWLEDGE OF SELF
Prayers, examinations, reflection, acts of renouncement of our own will, of contrition for our sins, of contempt of self, all performed at the feet of Mary, for it is from her that we hope for light to know ourselves. It is near her, that we shall be able to measure the abyss of our miseries without despairing.
We should employ all our pious actions in asking for a knowledge of ourselves and contrition of our sins: and we should do this in a spirit of piety. During this period, we shall consider not so much the opposition that exists between the spirit of Jesus and ours, as the miserable and humiliating state to which our sins have reduced us. Moreover, the True Devotion being an easy, short, sure and perfect way to arrive at that union with Our Lord which is Christlike perfection, we shall enter seriously upon this way, strongly convinced of our misery and helplessness. But how attain this without a knowledge of ourselves’?
Day 19 of 33:
Meditate on Scripture: Luke 18:15-30
[Jesus and the Children]
And they brought unto him also infants, that he might touch them. Which when the disciples saw, they rebuked
them. But Jesus, calling them together, said: Suffer children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the
kingdom of God. Amen, I say to you: Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a child, shall not enter
into it.
[The Rich Aristocrat]
And a certain ruler asked him, saying: Good master, what shall I do to possess everlasting life? And Jesus said to
him: Why dost thou call me good? None is good but God alone. Thou knowest the commandments: Thou shalt
not kill: Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness: Honour thy father
and mother. Who said: All these things have I kept from my youth. Which when Jesus had heard, he said to him:
Yet one thing is wanting to thee: sell all whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
heaven: and come, follow me. He having heard these things, became sorrowful; for he was very rich.
[The Danger of Riches]
And Jesus seeing him become sorrowful, said: How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of
God. For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom
of God. And they that heard it, said: Who then can be saved? He said to them: The things that are impossible with
men, are possible with God.
And they brought unto him also infants, that he might touch them. Which when the disciples saw, they rebuked
them. But Jesus, calling them together, said: Suffer children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the
kingdom of God. Amen, I say to you: Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a child, shall not enter
into it.
[The Rich Aristocrat]
And a certain ruler asked him, saying: Good master, what shall I do to possess everlasting life? And Jesus said to
him: Why dost thou call me good? None is good but God alone. Thou knowest the commandments: Thou shalt
not kill: Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness: Honour thy father
and mother. Who said: All these things have I kept from my youth. Which when Jesus had heard, he said to him:
Yet one thing is wanting to thee: sell all whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
heaven: and come, follow me. He having heard these things, became sorrowful; for he was very rich.
[The Danger of Riches]
And Jesus seeing him become sorrowful, said: How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of
God. For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom
of God. And they that heard it, said: Who then can be saved? He said to them: The things that are impossible with
men, are possible with God.
Then Peter said: Behold, we have left all things, and have followed thee. Who said to them: Amen, I say to you,
there is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,
Who shall not receive much more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
there is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,
Who shall not receive much more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
Listen, Sing and Watch or Pray just the words depending on your time constraints:
Litany of the Holy Ghost, Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, & Ave Maris Stella
Litany of the Holy Ghost – Latin with English Translation
Litany of the Holy Ghost
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Father all powerful, have mercy on us
Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us
Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us
Author of all good, have mercy on us
Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us
Consuming fire, have mercy on us
Ardent charity, have mercy on us
Spiritual unction, have mercy on us
Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us
Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us
Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us
Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us
Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us
Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us
Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us
Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good.
Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our
souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of
wisdom and piety.
V. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
Let Us Pray
Grant, 0 merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and
purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us
fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with
Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and
ever. R. Amen.
Ave Maria Stella – Sung in Latin with English Translation
Ave Maris Stella
Hail, bright star of ocean,
God’s own Mother blest,
Ever sinless Virgin,
Gate of heavenly rest.
God’s own Mother blest,
Ever sinless Virgin,
Gate of heavenly rest.
Taking that sweet Ave
Which from Gabriel came,
Peace confirm within us,
Changing Eva’s name.
Which from Gabriel came,
Peace confirm within us,
Changing Eva’s name.
Break the captives’ fetters,
Light on blindness pour,
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.
Light on blindness pour,
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.
Show thyself a Mother;
May the Word Divine,
Born for us thy Infant,
Hear our prayers through thine.
May the Word Divine,
Born for us thy Infant,
Hear our prayers through thine.
Virgin all excelling,
Mildest of the mild,
Freed from guilt, preserve us,
Pure and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
Make our way secure,
Till we find in Jesus
Joy forevermore.
Through the highest heaven
To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.
Mildest of the mild,
Freed from guilt, preserve us,
Pure and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
Make our way secure,
Till we find in Jesus
Joy forevermore.
Through the highest heaven
To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us.
Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
Mother of divine grace,
pray for us.
Mother most pure,
pray for us.
Mother most chaste,
pray for us.
Mother inviolate,
pray for us.
Mother undefiled,
pray for us.
Mother most amiable,
pray for us.
Mother most admirable,
pray for us.
Mother of good counsel,
pray for us.
Mother of our Creator,
pray for us.
Mother of our Savior,
pray for us.
Virgin most prudent,
pray for us.
Virgin most venerable,
pray for us.
Virgin most renowned,
pray for us.
Virgin most powerful,
pray for us.
Virgin most merciful,
pray for us.
Virgin most faithful,
pray for us.
Mirror of justice,
pray for us.
Seat of wisdom,
pray for us.
Cause of our joy,
pray for us.
Spiritual vessel,
pray for us.
Vessel of honor,
pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion,
pray for us.
Mystical rose,
pray for us.
Tower of David,
pray for us.
Tower of ivory,
pray for us.
House of gold,
pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant,
pray for us.
Gate of Heaven,
pray for us.
Morning star,
pray for us.
Health of the sick,
pray for us.
Refuge of sinners,
pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted,
pray for us.
Help of Christians,
pray for us.
Queen of angels,
pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs,
pray for us.
Queen of prophets,
pray for us.
Queen of apostles,
pray for us.
Queen of martyrs,
pray for us.
Queen of confessors,
pray for us.
Queen of virgins,
pray for us.
Queen of all saints,
pray for us.
Queen conceived without Original Sin,
pray for us.
Queen assumed into Heaven,
pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
pray for us.
Queen of peace,
pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy Servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy eternal happiness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Read:
St. Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary paragraphs 152-168:
5. It leads to union with our Lord
152. This devotion is a smooth, short, perfect and sure way of attaining union with our Lord, in which Christian perfection consists.
(a) This devotion is a smooth way. It is the path which Jesus Christ opened up in coming to us and
in which there is no obstruction to prevent us reaching him. It is quite true that we can attain to divine union
by other roads, but these involve many more crosses and exceptional setbacks and many difficulties that we
cannot easily overcome. We would have to pass through spiritual darkness, engage in struggles for which
we are not prepared, endure bitter agonies, scale precipitous mountains, tread upon painful thorns, and cross
frightful deserts. But when we take the path of Mary, we walk smoothly and calmly.
It is true that on our way we have hard battles to fight and serious obstacles to overcome, but Mary,
our Mother and Queen, stays close to her faithful servants. She is always at hand to brighten their darkness,
clear away their doubts, strengthen them in their fears, sustain them in their combats and trials. Truly, in
comparison with other ways, this virgin road to Jesus is a path of roses and sweet delights. There have been
some saints, not very many, such as St. Ephrem, St. John Damascene, St. Bernard, St. Bernardine, St.
Bonaventure, and St. Francis de Sales, who have taken this smooth path to Jesus Christ, because the Holy
Spirit, the faithful Spouse of Mary, made it known to them by a special grace. The other saints, who are the
greater number, while having a devotion to Mary, either did not enter or did not go very far along this path.
That is why they had to undergo harder and more dangerous trials.
153. Why is it then, a servant of Mary might ask, that devoted servants of this good Mother are called
upon to suffer much more than those who serve her less generously? They are opposed, persecuted,
slandered, and treated with intolerance. They may also have to walk in interior darkness and through
spiritual deserts without being given from heaven a single drop of the dew of consolation. If this devotion to
the Blessed Virgin makes the path to Jesus smoother, how can we explain why Mary’s loyal servants are so
ill-treated?
154. I reply that it is quite true that the most faithful servants of the Blessed Virgin, being her greatest
favourites, receive from her the best graces and favours from heaven, which are crosses. But I maintain too
that these servants of Mary bear their crosses with greater ease and gain more merit and glory. What could
check another’s progress a thousand times over, or possibly bring about his downfall, does not balk them at
all, but even helps them on their way. For this good Mother, filled with the grace and unction of the Holy
Spirit, dips all the crosses she prepares for them in the honey of her maternal sweetness and the unction of
pure love. They then readily swallow them as they would sugared almonds, though the crosses may be very
bitter. I believe that anyone who wishes to be devout and live piously in Jesus will suffer persecution and
will have a daily cross to carry. But he will never manage to carry a heavy cross, or carry it joyfully and
perseveringly, without a trusting devotion to our Lady, who is the very sweetness of the cross. It is obvious
that a person could not keep on eating without great effort unripe fruit which has not been sweetened.
155. (b) This devotion is a short way to discover Jesus, either because it is a road we do not wander
from, or because, as we have just said, we walk along this road with greater ease and joy, and consequently
with greater speed. We advance more in a brief period of submission to Mary and dependence on her than in
whole years of self-will and self-reliance. A man who is obedient and submissive to Mary will sing of
glorious victories over his enemies It is true, his enemies will try to impede his progress, force him to retreat
or try to make him fall. But with Mary’s help, support and guidance, he will go forward towards our Lord.
Without falling, retreating and even without being delayed, he will advance with giant strides towards Jesus
along the same road which, as it is written, Jesus took to come to us with giant strides and in a short time.
156. Why do you think our Lord spent only a few years here on earth and nearly all of them in
submission and obedience to his Mother? The reason is that “attaining perfection in a short time, he lived a
long time”, even longer than Adam, whose losses he had come to make good. Yet Adam lived more than
nine hundred years!
Jesus lived a long time, because he lived in complete submission to his Mother and in union with
her, which obedience to his Father required. The Holy Spirit tells us that the man who honours his mother is like a man who stores up a treasure. In other words, the man who honours Mary, his Mother, to the extent of
subjecting himself to her and obeying her in all things will soon become very rich, because he is amassing
riches every day through Mary who has become his secret philosopher’s stone.
152. This devotion is a smooth, short, perfect and sure way of attaining union with our Lord, in which Christian perfection consists.
(a) This devotion is a smooth way. It is the path which Jesus Christ opened up in coming to us and
in which there is no obstruction to prevent us reaching him. It is quite true that we can attain to divine union
by other roads, but these involve many more crosses and exceptional setbacks and many difficulties that we
cannot easily overcome. We would have to pass through spiritual darkness, engage in struggles for which
we are not prepared, endure bitter agonies, scale precipitous mountains, tread upon painful thorns, and cross
frightful deserts. But when we take the path of Mary, we walk smoothly and calmly.
It is true that on our way we have hard battles to fight and serious obstacles to overcome, but Mary,
our Mother and Queen, stays close to her faithful servants. She is always at hand to brighten their darkness,
clear away their doubts, strengthen them in their fears, sustain them in their combats and trials. Truly, in
comparison with other ways, this virgin road to Jesus is a path of roses and sweet delights. There have been
some saints, not very many, such as St. Ephrem, St. John Damascene, St. Bernard, St. Bernardine, St.
Bonaventure, and St. Francis de Sales, who have taken this smooth path to Jesus Christ, because the Holy
Spirit, the faithful Spouse of Mary, made it known to them by a special grace. The other saints, who are the
greater number, while having a devotion to Mary, either did not enter or did not go very far along this path.
That is why they had to undergo harder and more dangerous trials.
153. Why is it then, a servant of Mary might ask, that devoted servants of this good Mother are called
upon to suffer much more than those who serve her less generously? They are opposed, persecuted,
slandered, and treated with intolerance. They may also have to walk in interior darkness and through
spiritual deserts without being given from heaven a single drop of the dew of consolation. If this devotion to
the Blessed Virgin makes the path to Jesus smoother, how can we explain why Mary’s loyal servants are so
ill-treated?
154. I reply that it is quite true that the most faithful servants of the Blessed Virgin, being her greatest
favourites, receive from her the best graces and favours from heaven, which are crosses. But I maintain too
that these servants of Mary bear their crosses with greater ease and gain more merit and glory. What could
check another’s progress a thousand times over, or possibly bring about his downfall, does not balk them at
all, but even helps them on their way. For this good Mother, filled with the grace and unction of the Holy
Spirit, dips all the crosses she prepares for them in the honey of her maternal sweetness and the unction of
pure love. They then readily swallow them as they would sugared almonds, though the crosses may be very
bitter. I believe that anyone who wishes to be devout and live piously in Jesus will suffer persecution and
will have a daily cross to carry. But he will never manage to carry a heavy cross, or carry it joyfully and
perseveringly, without a trusting devotion to our Lady, who is the very sweetness of the cross. It is obvious
that a person could not keep on eating without great effort unripe fruit which has not been sweetened.
155. (b) This devotion is a short way to discover Jesus, either because it is a road we do not wander
from, or because, as we have just said, we walk along this road with greater ease and joy, and consequently
with greater speed. We advance more in a brief period of submission to Mary and dependence on her than in
whole years of self-will and self-reliance. A man who is obedient and submissive to Mary will sing of
glorious victories over his enemies It is true, his enemies will try to impede his progress, force him to retreat
or try to make him fall. But with Mary’s help, support and guidance, he will go forward towards our Lord.
Without falling, retreating and even without being delayed, he will advance with giant strides towards Jesus
along the same road which, as it is written, Jesus took to come to us with giant strides and in a short time.
156. Why do you think our Lord spent only a few years here on earth and nearly all of them in
submission and obedience to his Mother? The reason is that “attaining perfection in a short time, he lived a
long time”, even longer than Adam, whose losses he had come to make good. Yet Adam lived more than
nine hundred years!
Jesus lived a long time, because he lived in complete submission to his Mother and in union with
her, which obedience to his Father required. The Holy Spirit tells us that the man who honours his mother is like a man who stores up a treasure. In other words, the man who honours Mary, his Mother, to the extent of
subjecting himself to her and obeying her in all things will soon become very rich, because he is amassing
riches every day through Mary who has become his secret philosopher’s stone.
There is another quotation from Holy Scripture, “My old age will be found in the mercy of the
bosom”. According to the mystical interpretation of these words it is in the bosom of Mary that people who
are young grow mature in enlightenment, in holiness, in experience and in wisdom, and in a short time reach
the fullness of the age of Christ. For it was Mary’s womb which encompassed and produced a perfect man.
That same womb held the one whom the whole universe can neither encompass nor contain.
157. (c) This devotion is a perfect way to reach our Lord and be united to him, for Mary is the most
perfect and the most holy of all creatures, and Jesus, who came to us in a perfect manner, chose no other
road for his great and wonderful journey. The Most High, the Incomprehensible One, the Inaccessible One,
He who is, deigned to come down to us poor earthly creatures who are nothing at all. How was this done?
The Most High God came down to us in a perfect way through the humble Virgin Mary, without
losing anything of his divinity or holiness. It is likewise through Mary that we poor creatures must ascend to
almighty God in a perfect manner without having anything to fear.
God the Incomprehensible, allowed himself to be perfectly comprehended and contained by the
humble Virgin Mary without losing anything of his immensity. So we must let ourselves be perfectly
contained and led by the humble Virgin without any reserve on our part.
God, the Inaccessible, drew near to us and united himself closely, perfectly and even personally to
our humanity through Mary without losing anything of his majesty. So it is also through Mary that we must
draw near to God and unite ourselves to him perfectly, intimately, and without fear of being rejected.
Lastly, He who is deigned to come down to us who are not and turned our nothingness into God, or
He who is. He did this perfectly by giving and submitting himself entirely to the young Virgin Mary,
without ceasing to be in time He who is from all eternity. Likewise it is through Mary that we, who are
nothing, may become like God by grace and glory. We accomplish this by giving ourselves to her so
perfectly and so completely as to remain nothing, as far as self is concerned, and to be everything in her,
without any fear of illusion.
158. Show me a new road to our Lord, pave it with all the merits of the saints, adorn it with their heroic
virtues, illuminate and enhance it with the splendour and beauty of the angels, have all the angels and saints
there to guide and protect those who wish to follow it. Give me such a road and truly, truly, I boldly say –
and I am telling the truth – that instead of this road, perfect though it be, I would still choose the immaculate
way of Mary. It is a way, a road without stain or spot, without original sin or actual sin, without shadow or
darkness. When our loving Jesus comes in glory once again to reign upon earth – as he certainly will – he
will choose no other way than the Blessed Virgin, by whom he came so surely and so perfectly the first
time. The difference between his first and his second coming is that the first was secret and hidden, but the
second will be glorious and resplendent. Both are perfect because both are through Mary. Alas, this is a
mystery which we cannot understand, “Here let every tongue be silent.”
159. (d) This devotion to our Lady is a sure way to go to Jesus and to acquire holiness through union
with him.
(1) The devotion which I teach is not new. Its history goes back so far that the time of its origin
cannot be ascertained with any precision, as Fr. Boudon, who died a holy death a short time ago, states in a
book which he wrote on this devotion. It is however certain that for more than seven hundred years we find
traces of it in the Church.
St. Odilo, abbot of Cluny, who lived about the year 1040, was one of the first to practise it publicly
in France as is told in his life.
Cardinal Peter Damian relates that in the year 1076 his brother, Blessed Marino, made himself the
slave of the Blessed Virgin in the presence of his spiritual director in a most edifying manner. He placed a
rope around his neck, scourged himself and placed on the altar a sum of money as a token of his devotion and consecration to our Lady. He remained so faithful to this consecration all his life that me merited to be
visited and consoled on his death-bed by his dear Queen and hear from her lips the promise of paradise in
reward for his service.
bosom”. According to the mystical interpretation of these words it is in the bosom of Mary that people who
are young grow mature in enlightenment, in holiness, in experience and in wisdom, and in a short time reach
the fullness of the age of Christ. For it was Mary’s womb which encompassed and produced a perfect man.
That same womb held the one whom the whole universe can neither encompass nor contain.
157. (c) This devotion is a perfect way to reach our Lord and be united to him, for Mary is the most
perfect and the most holy of all creatures, and Jesus, who came to us in a perfect manner, chose no other
road for his great and wonderful journey. The Most High, the Incomprehensible One, the Inaccessible One,
He who is, deigned to come down to us poor earthly creatures who are nothing at all. How was this done?
The Most High God came down to us in a perfect way through the humble Virgin Mary, without
losing anything of his divinity or holiness. It is likewise through Mary that we poor creatures must ascend to
almighty God in a perfect manner without having anything to fear.
God the Incomprehensible, allowed himself to be perfectly comprehended and contained by the
humble Virgin Mary without losing anything of his immensity. So we must let ourselves be perfectly
contained and led by the humble Virgin without any reserve on our part.
God, the Inaccessible, drew near to us and united himself closely, perfectly and even personally to
our humanity through Mary without losing anything of his majesty. So it is also through Mary that we must
draw near to God and unite ourselves to him perfectly, intimately, and without fear of being rejected.
Lastly, He who is deigned to come down to us who are not and turned our nothingness into God, or
He who is. He did this perfectly by giving and submitting himself entirely to the young Virgin Mary,
without ceasing to be in time He who is from all eternity. Likewise it is through Mary that we, who are
nothing, may become like God by grace and glory. We accomplish this by giving ourselves to her so
perfectly and so completely as to remain nothing, as far as self is concerned, and to be everything in her,
without any fear of illusion.
158. Show me a new road to our Lord, pave it with all the merits of the saints, adorn it with their heroic
virtues, illuminate and enhance it with the splendour and beauty of the angels, have all the angels and saints
there to guide and protect those who wish to follow it. Give me such a road and truly, truly, I boldly say –
and I am telling the truth – that instead of this road, perfect though it be, I would still choose the immaculate
way of Mary. It is a way, a road without stain or spot, without original sin or actual sin, without shadow or
darkness. When our loving Jesus comes in glory once again to reign upon earth – as he certainly will – he
will choose no other way than the Blessed Virgin, by whom he came so surely and so perfectly the first
time. The difference between his first and his second coming is that the first was secret and hidden, but the
second will be glorious and resplendent. Both are perfect because both are through Mary. Alas, this is a
mystery which we cannot understand, “Here let every tongue be silent.”
159. (d) This devotion to our Lady is a sure way to go to Jesus and to acquire holiness through union
with him.
(1) The devotion which I teach is not new. Its history goes back so far that the time of its origin
cannot be ascertained with any precision, as Fr. Boudon, who died a holy death a short time ago, states in a
book which he wrote on this devotion. It is however certain that for more than seven hundred years we find
traces of it in the Church.
St. Odilo, abbot of Cluny, who lived about the year 1040, was one of the first to practise it publicly
in France as is told in his life.
Cardinal Peter Damian relates that in the year 1076 his brother, Blessed Marino, made himself the
slave of the Blessed Virgin in the presence of his spiritual director in a most edifying manner. He placed a
rope around his neck, scourged himself and placed on the altar a sum of money as a token of his devotion and consecration to our Lady. He remained so faithful to this consecration all his life that me merited to be
visited and consoled on his death-bed by his dear Queen and hear from her lips the promise of paradise in
reward for his service.
Caesarius Bollandus mentions a famous knight, Vautier de Birback, a close relative of the Dukes of
Louvain, who about the year 1300 consecrated himself to the Blessed Virgin.
This devotion was also practised privately by many people up to the seventeenth century, when it
became publicly known.
160. Father Simon de Rojas of the Order of the Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives, court
preacher to Philip III, made this devotion popular throughout Spain and Germany. Through the intervention
of Philip III, he obtained from Gregory XV valuable indulgences for those who practised it.
Father de los Rios, of the Order of St. Augustine, together with his intimate friend, Father de Roias,
worked hard, propagating it throughout Spain and Germany by preaching and writing. He composed a large
volume entitled “Hierarchia Mariana”, where he treats of the antiquity, the excellence and the soundness of
this devotion, with as much devotion as learning.
The Theatine Fathers in the seventeenth century established this devotion in Italy and Savoy.
161. Father Stanislaus Phalacius of the Society of Jesus spread this devotion widely in Poland.
Father de los Rios in the book quoted above mentions the names of princes and princesses, bishops
and cardinals of different countries who embraced this devotion.
Father Cornelius a Lapide, noted both for holiness and profound learning, was commissioned by
several bishops and theologians to examine it. The praise he gave it after mature examination, is a worthy
tribute to his own holiness. Many other eminent men followed his example.
The Jesuit Fathers, ever zealous in the service of our Blessed Lady, presented on behalf of the
sodalities of Cologne to Duke Ferdinand of Bavaria, the then archbishop of Cologne, a little treatise on the
devotion, and he gave it his approval and granted permission to have it printed. He exhorted all priests and
religious of his diocese to do their utmost to spread this solid devotion.
Louvain, who about the year 1300 consecrated himself to the Blessed Virgin.
This devotion was also practised privately by many people up to the seventeenth century, when it
became publicly known.
160. Father Simon de Rojas of the Order of the Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives, court
preacher to Philip III, made this devotion popular throughout Spain and Germany. Through the intervention
of Philip III, he obtained from Gregory XV valuable indulgences for those who practised it.
Father de los Rios, of the Order of St. Augustine, together with his intimate friend, Father de Roias,
worked hard, propagating it throughout Spain and Germany by preaching and writing. He composed a large
volume entitled “Hierarchia Mariana”, where he treats of the antiquity, the excellence and the soundness of
this devotion, with as much devotion as learning.
The Theatine Fathers in the seventeenth century established this devotion in Italy and Savoy.
161. Father Stanislaus Phalacius of the Society of Jesus spread this devotion widely in Poland.
Father de los Rios in the book quoted above mentions the names of princes and princesses, bishops
and cardinals of different countries who embraced this devotion.
Father Cornelius a Lapide, noted both for holiness and profound learning, was commissioned by
several bishops and theologians to examine it. The praise he gave it after mature examination, is a worthy
tribute to his own holiness. Many other eminent men followed his example.
The Jesuit Fathers, ever zealous in the service of our Blessed Lady, presented on behalf of the
sodalities of Cologne to Duke Ferdinand of Bavaria, the then archbishop of Cologne, a little treatise on the
devotion, and he gave it his approval and granted permission to have it printed. He exhorted all priests and
religious of his diocese to do their utmost to spread this solid devotion.
A taste of Fr. Gaitley’s 33 Days to Morning Glory if you have time:
“Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary. Help me to recognize and ponder in my heart all the good you do for me”
Click HERE for podcast of Day 19
Click HERE for podcast of Day 19
© Janet Moore 2018. All Rights Reserved.