TRUE DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN
by St. Louis de Montfort
"St. Louis De Montfort advises us to prepare for the consecration by exercises which certainly and not compulsory, but which assure its great efficacy because of the purity and other dispositions which they tend to develop in our souls.
Two different periods are assigned for these exercises:
- a preliminary period of twelve days during which we endeavor "to free ourselves from the spirit of the world"; and
- a second period of three weeks; the first devoted to the knowledge of ourselves, the second to that of the Blessed Virgin and the third to that of Jesus Christ.
These periods mentioned by St. Louis De Montfort do not constitute a rigorous and unchangeable division. According to circumstances, they may be lengthened or shortened. The faithful often take but three days to prepare for the annual renewal of their consecration.
The object of this consecration is to cast off the spirit of the world, which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ, in order to acquire fully the spirit of Jesus Christ through the Blessed Virgin. Hence the practices suggested by St. Louis De Montfort: renouncement of the world, knowledge of self, of the Blessed Virgin and of Jesus Christ."
FIRST PERIOD - TWELVE PRELIMINARY DAYS
RENOUNCEMENT OF THE WORLD
"The first part of the preparation should be employed in casting off the spirit of the world, which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ."
The spirit of the world consists essentially in the denial of the supreme dominion of God, a denial which is manifested in practice by sin and disobedience; thus it is principally opposed to the spirit of Christ, which is also that of Mary.
It manifests itself by the concupiscence of the flesh, by the concupiscence of the eyes and by the pride of life; by disobedience to God's laws and the abuse of created things. Its works are, first, sin in all its forms; and then all else by which the devil leads to sin; works which bring error and darkness to the mind, and seduction and corruption to the will. Its pomps are the splendor and the charms employed by the devil to render sin alluring in persons, places and things.
Prayers to be said every day: Veni Creator and Ave Maris Stella
Suitable reading for the twelve days: Gospel according to St. Matthew, chapters 5, 6, 7.
Imitation of Christ, Book I, chapters 13, 18, 25, Book III, chapters 10, 40.
Spiritual Exercises: Examine your conscience, pray, practice renouncement, mortification, purity of heart, this purity is the indispensable condition for contemplating God in heaven, to see Him on earth and to know Him by the light of faith.
VENI CREATOR
MAGNIFICAT
Glory be to the Father, etc.
AVE MARIS STELLA
SECOND PERIOD - FIRST WEEK
KNOWLEDGE OF SELF
"During the first week they should employ all their prayers and pious actions in asking for a knowledge of themselves and for contrition of their sins; and they should do this in a spirit of humility."
During this week, 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 Christian perfection, we shall enter seriously upon this way, strongly convinced of our misery and helplessness. But how attain this without a knowledge of ourselves?
Prayers: Litany of the Holy Ghost, Ave Maris Stella. Litany of the Blessed Virgin.
Reading: Gospel according to St. Matthew, chapters 24, 25.
Gospel of St. Luke, chapters 11, 13, 16, 17, 18.
Imitation of Christ, Book I, chapter 24; Book II, chapter 5; Book III, chapters 7, 8, 13, 20, 30, 47.
True Devotions to Mary Nos. 78-82, 227, 228.
Spiritual Exercises: Prayers, examens, 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 we hope for light to know ourselves, and it is near her that we shall be able to measure the abyss of our miseries without despairing.
LITANY OF THE HOLY GHOST
(For private devotion only)
Let us pray
Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit 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. Amen.
LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
Let us pray
SECOND WEEK
Knowledge of the Blessed Virgin
"They shall devote the second week to the knowledge of the Blessed Virgin."
We must unite ourselves to Jesus through Mary - this is the characteristic of our devotion; therefore Saint De Montfort asks that the second week be employed in acquiring a knowledge of the Blessed Virgin.
Mary is our sovereign and our mediatrix, our Mother and our Mistress. Let us then endeavor to know the effects of this royalty, of this mediation, and of this maternity, as well as the grandeurs and prerogatives which are the foundation or consequences thereof. Our Mother is also a perfect mold wherein we are to be molded in order to make her intentions and dispositions ours. This we cannot achieve without studying the interior life of Mary; namely, her virtues, her sentiments, her actions, her participation in the mysteries of Christ and her union with Him.
Prayers: Litany of the Holy Ghost. Ave Maris Stella. Litany of the Blessed Virgin. St. Louis De Montfort’ s Prayer to Mary. Recitation of the Rosary.
Reading: Gospel according to St. Luke, chapters 1, 2. Gospel according to St. John, chapter 2. True Devotion Nos. 1-48, 90-93, 105-182, 213-225. Secret of Mary nos. 23-34.
Spiritual Exercises: Acts of love, pious affections for the Blessed Virgin, imitation of her virtues, especially her profound humility, her lively faith, her blind obedience, her continual mental prayer, her mortification in all things, her ardent charity, her heroic patience, her angelic sweetness and her divine wisdom; "these being," as St. Louis De Montfort says, "the ten principal virtues of the Blessed Virgin."
ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT'S PRAYER TO MARY
Hail Mary, beloved Daughter of the Eternal Father! Hail Mary, admirable Mother of the Son! Hail Mary, faithful Spouse of the Holy Ghost! Hail Mary, my dear Mother, my loving Mistress, my powerful sovereign! Hail my joy, my glory, my heart and my soul! Thou art all mine by mercy, and I am all thine by justice. But I am not yet sufficiently thine. I know give myself wholly to thee without keeping anything back for myself or others. If thou still seest in me anything which does not belong to thee, I beseech thee to take it and to make thyself the absolute Mistress of all that is mine. Destroy in me all that may be displeasing to God, root it up and bring it to naught; place and cultivate in me everything that is pleasing to thee.
May the light of thy faith dispel the darkness in my mind; may thy profound humility take the place of my pride; may thy sublime contemplation check the distractions of my wandering imagination; may thy continuous sight of God fill my memory with His presence; may the burning love of thy heart inflame the lukewarmness of mine, may thy virtues take the place of my sins; may thy merits be my only adornment in the sight of God and make up all that is wanting in me. Finally, dearly beloved Mother, grant, if it be possible, that I may have no other spirit but thine to know Jesus and His divine will; that I may have no other soul but thine to praise and glorify the Lord; that I may have no other heart but thine to love God with a love as pure and ardent as thine. I do not ask thee for visions, revelations, sensible devotion or spiritual pleasures. It is thy privilege to see God clearly; it is thy privilege to enjoy heavenly bliss; it is thy privilege to triumph gloriously in heaven at the right hand of thy Son and to hold absolute sway over angels, men and demons; it is thy privilege to dispose of all the gifts of God, just as thou willest.
Such is, O heavenly Mary, the "best part" which the Lord has given thee and which shall never be taken away from thee - and this thought fills my heart with joy. As for my part here below, I wish for no other than that which was thine; to believe sincerely without spiritual pleasures; to suffer joyfully without human consolation; to die continually to myself without respite; and to work zealously and unselfishly for thee until death as the humblest of thy servants. The only grace I beg thee to obtain for me is that every day and every moment of my life I may say: Amen - Amen - so be it, to all that thou art now doing in heaven; Amen - so be it, to all that thou art doing in my soul, so that thou alone mayest fully glorify Jesus in me for time and eternity. Amen.
THIRD WEEK
Knowledge of Jesus Christ
"During the third week, they shall apply themselves to the study of Jesus Christ."
What is to be studied in Christ? First the Man-God, His grace and glory; then His rights to sovereign dominion over us; since, after having renounced Satan and the world, we have taken Jesus Christ for our "Lord." What next shall be the object of our study? His exterior actions and also His interior life, namely, the virtues and acts of His Sacred Heart, His association with Mary in the mysteries of the Annunciation and Incarnation, during His infancy and hidden life, at the feat of Cana and on Calvary.
Prayers: Litany of the Holy Ghost. Ave Maris Stella. Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus or of the Sacred Heart. St. Louis De Montfort’ s Prayer to Jesus. The prayer: O Jesus living in Mary.
Reading: Gospel according to St. Matthew, chapters 26, 27. Gospel according to St. John, chapters 13 et ff. Imitation of Christ, Book II chapters 7, 11, 12; Book III, chapters 5, 6, 56; Book IV, chapters 1, 8, 13. True Devotion, nos. 60-67, 183, 212, 226-265.
Spiritual Exercises: Acts of love of God, thanksgiving for the blessings of Jesus, contrition and resolution.
LITANY OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS
LET US PRAY
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said: Ask and ye shall receive; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you; grant, we beseech Thee to us who ask the gift of Thy divine love, that we may ever love Thee with all our hearts, and in all our words and actions, and never cease praising Thee.
Give us, O Lord, a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy Name; for Thou never failest to govern those whom Thou dost solidly establish in Thy love. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
LET US PRAY
Almighty and everlasting God, graciously regard the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and the acts of praise and satisfaction which He renders Thee on behalf of us sinners, and through their merit grant pardon to us who implore Thy mercy. In the name of Thy Son Jesus Christ; Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT'S PRAYER TO JESUS
O most loving Jesus, deign to let me pour forth my gratitude before Thee, for the grace Though hast bestowed upon me in giving me to Thy holy Mother through the devotion of Holy Bondage, that she may be my advocate in the presence of Thy majesty and my support in my extreme misery. Alas, O Lord! I am so wretched that without this dear Mother I should be certainly lost. Yes, Mary is necessary for me at Thy side and everywhere; that she may appease thy just wrath, because I have so often offended Thee; that she may save me from the eternal punishment of Thy justice, which I deserve; that she may contemplate Thee, speak to Thee, pray to Thee; approach Thee and please Thee; that she may help me to save my soul and the souls of others; in short, Mary is necessary for me that I may always do Thy holy will and seek Thy greater glory in all things. Ah, would that I could proclaim throughout the whole world the mercy that Thou hast shown to me! Would that everyone might know I should be already damned, were it not for Mary! Would that I might offer worthy thanksgiving for so great a blessing! Mary is in me. Oh, what a treasure! Oh, what a consolation! And shall I not be entirely hers? O, what ingratitude! My dear Savior, send the death rather than such a calamity, for I would rather die than live without belonging entirely to Mary. With St. John the Evangelist at the foot of the cross, I have taken her a thousand times for my own and as many times have given myself to her, but if I have not yet done it as Thou, dear Jesus, dost wish, I now renew this offering as Thou dost desire me to renew it. And if Thou seest in my soul or my body anything that does not belong to this august princess, I pray Thee to take it and cat it far from me, for whatever in me does not belong to Mary is unworthy of Thee.
O Holy Spirit, grant me all these graces. Plant in my soul the Tree of true Life, which is Mary; cultivate it and tend it so that it may grow and blossom and bring forth the fruit of life in abundance. O Holy Spirit, give me great devotion to Mary. Thy faithful spouse; give me great confidence in her maternal heart and an abiding refuge in her mercy, so that by her Thou mayest truly form in me Jesus Christ, great and mighty, unto the fullness of His perfect age. Amen.
THE CONSECRATION
"At the end of the three weeks," says St. Louis De Montfort, "they shall go to confession and to Communion, with the intention of giving themselves to Jesus Christ in the quality of slaves of love, by the hands of Mary. After Communion, which they should try to make according to the method given further on, they should recite the formula of their consecration, which they will also find further on. They ought to write it, or have it written, unless they have a printed copy of it; and they should sign it the same day they have made it. It would be well also that on that day they should pay some tribute to Jesus Christ and our Blessed Lady, either as a penance for their past unfaithfulness to the vows of their Baptism or as a testimony of their dependence on the dominion of Jesus and Mary. This tribute ought to be according to the devotion and ability of everyone; such as, a fast, a mortification, an alms or a candle. If they had but a pin to give in homage, yet gave it with good heart, it would be enough for Jesus, Who looks only at one's good will. Once a year at least, on the same day, they should renew the same consecration, observing the same practices during the three weeks. They might also once a month, or even once a day, renew all they have done in these few words: "I am all Thine and all that I have belongs to Thee, O my sweet Jesus, through Mary, Thy holy Mother.'"
Act of Consecration
Eternal and Incarnate Wisdom, most lovable and adorable Jesus, true God and true man, only Son of the eternal Father and of Mary always virgin, I adore you profoundly, dwelling in the splendour of your Father from all eternity and in the virginal womb of Mary, your most worthy Mother, at the time of your Incarnation.
I thank you for having emptied yourself in assuming the condition of a slave to set me free from the cruel slavery of the evil one.
I praise and glorify you for having willingly chosen to obey Mary, your holy Mother, in all things, so that through her I may be your faithful slave of love.
But I must confess that I have not kept the vows and promises which I made to you so solemnly at my baptism. I have not fulfilled my obligations, and I do not deserve to be called your child or even your loving slave.
Since I cannot lay claim to anything except what merits your rejection and displeasure, I dare no longer approach the holiness of your majesty on my own. That is why I turn to the intercession and the mercy of your holy Mother, whom you yourself have given me to mediate with you. Through her I hope to obtain from you contrition and pardon for my sins, and that Wisdom whom I desire to dwell in me always.
I turn to you, then, Mary immaculate, living tabernacle of God. The eternal Wisdom, hidden in you, willed to receive the adoration of both men and angels.
I greet you as Queen of heaven and earth. All that is under God has been made subject to you sovereignty.
I call upon you as the unfailing refuge of sinners. In your mercy you have never forsaken anyone.
Grant my desire for divine Wisdom and, in support of my petition, accept the promises and the offering of myself which I now make, conscious of my unworthiness.
I, an unfaithful sinner, renew and ratify today through you my baptismal promises, I renounce for ever Satan, his empty promises and his evil designs, and I give myself completely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after him for the rest of my life, and to be more faithful to him than I have been till now.
This day, with the whole court of heaven as witness, I choose you, Mary, as my Mother and Queen. I surrender and consecrate myself to you, body and soul, with all that I possess, both spiritual and material, even including the spiritual value of all my actions, past, present, and to come. I give you the full right to dispose of me and all that belongs to me, without any reservations, in whatever way you please, for the greater glory of God in time and throughout eternity.
Accept, gracious Virgin, this little offering of my slavery to honour and imitate that obedience which the eternal Wisdom willingly chose to have towards you, his Mother. I wish to acknowledge the authority which both of you have over this little worm and pitiful sinner. By it I wish also to thank God for the privileges bestowed on you by the Blessed Trinity. I solemnly declare that for the future I will try to honour and obey you in all things a your true slave of love.
O admirable Mother, present me to your dear Son as his slave now and for always, so that he who redeemed me through you, will now receive me through you.
Mother of mercy, grant me the favour of obtaining the true Wisdom of God, and so make me one of those whom you love, teach and guide, whom you nourish and protect as your children and slaves.
Virgin most faithful, make me in everything so committed a disciple, imitator, and slave of Jesus, your Son, the Incarnate Wisdom, that I may become, through your intercession and example, fully mature with the fullness of his glory in heaven. Amen.
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