Catholic Treasury | True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin

"As the flesh is nourished by food, so is man supported by prayers"

St Augustine

* * *

"The essence of perfection is to embrace the will of God in all things, prosperous or adverse. In prosperity, even sinners find it easy to unite themselves to the divine will; but it takes saints to unite themselves to God's will when things go wrong and are painful to self-love. Our conduct in such instances is the measure of our love of God."

St Alphonsus de Liguori

* * *

"This is the greatest wisdom -- to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. "

Thomas á Kempis

* * *

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort - 1673 to 1716 - canonized by Pius XII in 1947.

TREATISE ON TRUE DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

		Introduction of St Louis Marie

		PART I: TRUE DEVOTION TO OUR LADY IN GENERAL
		Ch 1: Necessity of Devotion to Our Lady
		1. Mary's part in the Incarnation 2. Mary's part in the sanctification of souls 3. Consequences 4. Mary's part in the latter times

		Ch 2: In what Devotion to Mary Consists
		1. Basic principles of devotion to Mary First principle: Christ must be the ultimate end of all devotions Second principle: We belong to Jesus and Mary as their slaves Third principle: We must rid ourselves of what is evil in us Fourth principle: It is more humble to have an intermediary with Christ Fifth principle: It is difficult to keep the graces received from God
		2. Marks of false and authentic devotion to Mary False devotion to our Lady Scrupulous Superficial Presumptuous Inconstant Hypocritical Self-interested Marks of authentic devotion to our Lady interior trustful holy constant disinterested Principal practices of devotion to Mary The Perfect Practice
		PART II: THE PERFECT DEVOTION TO OUR LADY
		Ch 3: The Perfect Consecration to Jesus Christ
		1. A complete consecration to Mary 2. A perfect renewal of baptismal promises

		Ch 4: Motives Which Recommend This Devotion
		1. By it we give ourselves completely to God 2. It helps us to imitate Christ 3. It obtains many blessings from our Lady 4. It is an excellent means of giving glory to God 5. It leads to union with our Lord 6. It gives great liberty of spirit 7. It is of great benefit to our neighbour 8. It is a wonderful means of perseverance

		Ch 5: Biblical Figure of This Perfect Devotion: Rebecca and Jacob
		1. Interpretation of the story 2. Services of our Lady to her faithful servants She loves them She provides for all their needs She leads and guides them She defends and protects them She intercedes for them

		Ch 6: Wonderful Effects of This Devotion
		1. Knowledge of our unworthiness 2. A share in Mary's faith 3. The gift of pure love 4. Great confidence in God and in Mary 5. Communication of the spirit of Mary 6. Transformation into the likeness of Jesus 7. The greater glory of Christ

		Ch 7: Particular Practices of This Devotion
		1. Exterior Practices Preparation and Consecration The Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin The Wearing of Little Chains Honouring the mystery of the Incarnation Saying the Hail Mary and the Rosary Praying the Magnificat Contempt of the world 2. Special interior practices for those who wish to be perfect Through Mary With Mary In Mary For Mary
		Supplement
		This Devotion at Holy Communion Before Holy Communion During Holy Communion After Holy Communion