Exploring Montfortian Spirituality

Why is Mary Necessary?

Fr. de Montfort is not content to say Mary is the key, he will go on to say that Our Lady is a Necessity… for Christian living. She is not optional, she is necessary. In other words, you MUST have a relationship with her if you are to live a life as a Christian, to live your life fully alive in Jesus.

What does that mean? Why is a relationship with Mary not optional? What does a Marian Character mean, and how does it influence Christian Life? What does it mean to say Our Lady is a necessary element of Christian life? Is my devotion to Mary influencing my Christian life?

First read #1: Mary Necessary? It is a brief article to introduce the concept. Then turn to #2: Why Mary? This is a 4 minute audio that explains the reason why we need Mary. Finally, listen to #3: The Necessity of Mary, which goes into more detail on why Mary is not an optional devotion for Christians, if one wishes to deepen their relationship with Jesus. Read the post to understand what will be covered and then listen to this 59 minute audio.

After reading and listening to these first three media, we pray your heart is aching to understand more. Please continue through the remaining mini-library of media (articles and audio) especially selected for those trying to understand what a Marian Devotion to Mary really is and what it entails.

Press the next Tab section (immediately to the left) to read about the next set of recommended media.

May our powerful patron, the Holy Virgin, Queen of All Hearts continue to strengthen and sustain you, and obtain for you an ever greater participation in the life of Jesus, her Son.

Approximate time to read the article and listen to the first brief audio: 10 Minutes

Approximate time to listen to the second audio: 60 Minutes

Saint Pope John Paul II’s Thoughts on True Devotion

“Reading this book was to be a turning point in my life. I say turning point, although it was in fact a long spiritual journey coinciding with my clandestine preparation for the priesthood. It was at that time that this remarkable treatise fell into my hands… and the devotion which I had as a child and an adolescent towards the Mother of God gave way to a deeper devotion of faith.”

This an excerpt to the article written by Saint Pope John Paul II. Read this very brief article (that appears in The Queen) to understand how this saint was strengthen in his devotion to Mary in reading Saint Louis de Montfort’s Treatise to True Devotion to Mary.

Why Know Mary?

There is but one reason for acquiring a better knowledge of Mary: to increase our knowledge and love for her Son. God made us to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this life. But how can we love Him unless we know Him? How can we know Him as we should unless we take the best means possible? Now the most perfect of all means is Mary, the Mother of God. No one can teach us more about Christ than Mary, for who has a better knowledge of a child than his mother? It is to acquire this knowledge of Christ that we go through Mary, that we try to fathom the depths of her perfections, that we try to grasp the meaning of her function as Mother of God and Mother of all men. Our Lady is becoming more known and better loved in the world. But this is not enough. As Montfort tells us: “We have not yet praised, exalted, honored, loved and served Mary as we ought. She deserves still more praise, still more respect, still more love and still more service.

Mary should be known more than ever for the greater knowledge and glory of the Most Holy Trinity.” (True Devotion, nos. 10 and 50)

Read this brief article that appears in The Queen entitled: Why Know Mary?

Approximate time to read both articles: 10-15 Minutes

Introduction to Saint Louis de Montfort and Total Consecration

This audio briefly introduces St. Louis Marie de Montfort and also introduces the concept of Total Consecration as outlined by Fr. de Montfort in his writings: The Secret of Mary and the Treatise of True Devotion to Mary.

This audio is condensed to focus on these two topics, specifically for our mini-Library dedicated to those Christians beginning their Exploration of Marian Spirituality, especially Montfortian Spirituality.

This audio introduces Total Consecration. How do I deepen my love for Jesus? What is Devotion to Mary? What is a Christian and how does this influence the spiritual approach prescribed by Fr. de Montfort? How does one increase True Devotion and Spiritual growth? How does one increase our relationship with Jesus and with Mary?

There are a number of topics discussed in the full version of the audio. Listen to this condensed version as an introduction to Fr. de Montfort, an introduction to Devotion to Mary and Total Consecration. We pray this discussion tugs at your heart to know more information about Montfortian Spirituality.

There are a number of other media that provides further detail of St. Louis de Montfort’s life and character on this web site. We however, suggest you hold off in exploring these media channels until after reviewing all of the content in this mini-Library.

Approximate time for this audio: 34 Minutes

What is the Difference Between Consecration and Total Consecration?

In the Catholic Community, many people when they hear the words “Act of Consecration to Our Lady”, they automatically think of St. Louis de Montfort’s approach to consecration, and that is not always the case. In fact St. Louis de Montfort is not the originator of Marian Consecration. That existed even before Fr. de Montfort was born.

But especially since the early 20th Century, there are a number of consecration approaches that exist and that may cause some confusion. It is often explained in the Christian Community that consecration is placing on a cloak to keep one-self safe, or family safe, from the evils in today’s world. That is not Total Consecration.

Hear the difference between Consecration and Total Consecration in this Spiritual Insight audio.

Approximate time for this audio: 54 Minutes

The Mother of God

Of all titles given to the Blessed Virgin that of Mother of God is the most sublime and mysterious. It is also the fountainhead of all her other titles. These titles, which the piety of centuries has accumulated to honor Mary in her mysteries, are without number. Be they ancient or modern, titles of honor, confidence or praise together they are diverse gems of the same crown: the crown of divine maternity. Though different, they hold something in common: a cry of trust and consolation to her who gave us Jesus, Our Savior.

Mary, The True Christian

Indwelt by the creative Spirit, with God in Christ in her heart, her body, her arms and her home . . . and now in glory, Mary is supremely that – God’s temple, with a ruling sense of God’s presence within her. That is what people have felt in her company. Her being is a sympathetic reflection of the presence of God.

But Newman continues; “As none but justified persons have that privilege, so none but the justified have that practical perception of it”. In other words, only those living at one with God’s will, as far as they can, will be able to recognize this with the insight of faith. Alive to the presence of God ourselves, we may then intuitively become aware of it in others, not least in Our Lady.

Mary, All Powerful Suppliant

Our Lady prays for us and offers up to God the prayers that arise from the earth to her.

Read this brief article in The Queen.

Approximate time to read these three articles: 15-20 Minutes

Devotion to Mary: Transformation of the Heart

Conference #3: Devotion to Mary
Devotion to Mary is necessary, indeed a requirement, in all Christians’ lives. That is correct: a Requirement. Without it, our Christian and spiritual life will be lacking. Fr. de Montfort states Devotion to Mary is so important, and we must possess it in the right way. This audio informs us if our devotion is solid and genuine, our spiritual life will be so as well. It also elaborates on meditation of Mary; the more we meditate on her glory and virtues, the more our hearts will grow for her. How do we do this? This is explained in Conference #3.

Fr Hugh also gives us five “markers”, or guide posts, or milestones to help us with our Devotion and with our Spiritual Prayer Life. He does so, because, its difficult to find a spiritual director. While this discussion does not replace a spiritual director, it will help each of us on our own Spiritual Journey and in our own Spiritual Prayer Life.

This audio was part of a larger conference on Devotion to Mary. While you may listen all three sets of audio, we suggest you focus on Conference #3 which covers Devotion to Mary.

Approximate Time of Audio: 45 Minutes

Can I Approach Jesus Directly?

Can I Approach Jesus Directly? Of course you can. But before you do, consider the following. If I am to enter His presence, do I do so in a way that gives Him the most honor or is it the most convenient for me? Interesting questions that will impact our own spiritual prayer life. This is why St. Louis de Montfort says it is essential for us to include Mary in our spiritual life. Because it is the way that honors Jesus the most. The issue is not can I approach Jesus, of course I can. The issue is not can I go to Him. It is when I do go to Him, do I do it in the manner that most honors Him? What is the best way to enter His presence? The more I desire what pleases the Lord, the more I turn my attention to the Lord. Should I go to the Lord by myself? Of course you can. But what way honors Him the most? St. Louis says I desire to honor Him fully. But I do not know how to approach Him with the honor He deserves. Is there a way that honors Him the most? St. Louis de Montfort says yes! How can I learn?

Read more about this issue and then listen to a condensed audio that was first given in a Conference Audio: Praying with the Mother of God.

Approximate time of audio: 49 Minutes