St. Louis-Marie de Montfort

Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Louis. St. Louis lived a very magnificent and beautiful spiritual life, which was visible through his many efforts to promote a true genuine devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus and mother of the Church.

St. Louis personal motto was Totus tuus (“completely yours”). St. Louis’ model was later chosen by St. John Paul II as his episcopal motto.

St. Louis was born on January 31, 1673 into a very poor family who lived in Montfort, France.

St. Louis received his education at a Jesuit college which was located in Rennes, France and was ordained there during the year 1700.

St. Louis was later assigned as a chaplain to a hospital which was located in Poitiers, France, and he helped reorganize the hospital staff which ended up causing great resentment, which led to his resignation.

However, during St. Louis’ stay, he ended up organizing a group of a few women into the Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Wisdom.

After some time St. Louis decided to go to Rome, Italy where he was able to be appointed by Pope Clement XI as a missionary apostolic, and he immediately began to preach in Brittany, France.

St. Louis’ emotional style led to him receiving a lot of reactions, however he was successful, especially in furthering his devotion to the Most Blessed Virgin through the Rosary.

St. Louis has written many very popular books such as the book called; True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. During the year 1715, St. Louis got a couple of priests and decided to form the Missionaries of the Company of Mary.

St. Louis died during the year 1716, in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sever, France, and was canonized during the year 1947 by Pope Pius XII.

St. Louis de Montfort was a very good and effective preacher, and he was able to bring many people closer to God. Even though his emotional traits along with his appeal to the poor led to him receiving a lot of opposition.

Also, St. Louis was not affected or bothered by his critics, and he continued his preaching. In addition, he worked extremely hard and dedicated a lot of time to trying to spread the devotion to the Most Blessed Virgin, both through preaching and by the written word.

After a couple of years St. Louis founded the clerical institute known today as the Montfort Fathers who carry on his teachings and work of preaching the Word and spreading devotion to Mary. St. Louis' perseverance, courage, wisdom and strength in the face of opposition benefits the Church today in its many struggles. St. Luis feast day is celebrated on April 28.

Prayer to St. Louis St. Louis help us to guide more people to Christ just like you did during your life. St. Louis help us to not be afraid in moments of temptations and evil and help us to turn to Christ for peace and comfort during those times. We ask this through Christ Our Lord and Mary Our Mother in Heaven Amen St. Louis pray for us St. Joseph pray for us

May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.

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Works cited:

Information (read from, not taken):

Catholic Online. “St. Louis de Montfort . ”St. Louis de Montfort - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online. Accessed 28, April 2021.

Images:

St. Louis-Marie de Montfort. April 28, 2021. st louis montfort - Google Search.