St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort was one of the Church’s greatest promoters of devotion to Our Lady. To those who would suggest that Mary should not have a prominent role in Christian faith and practice, he responds that we can never say enough about her. Every day from one end of the earth to the other, in the highest heights of the heavens and in the profoundest depths of the abysses, everything preaches, everything publishes, the admirable Mary!
St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort was one of the Church’s greatest promoters of devotion to Our Lady. To those who would suggest that Mary should not have a prominent role in Christian faith and practice, he responds that we can never say enough about her. Every day from one end of the earth to the other, in the highest heights of the heavens and in the profoundest depths of the abysses, everything preaches, everything publishes, the admirable Mary!
The nine choirs of angels, men of all ages call her “blessed.” St. Bonaventure tells us that all the angels in heaven cry out incessantly to her: “Holy, holy, holy, Mother of God and Virgin”; and that they offer to her, millions and millions of times a day, the angelic salutation, Ave Maria, prostrating themselves before her, and begging of her in her graciousness to honor them with some of her commands.
Even St. Michael, as St. Augustine says, although the prince of the heavenly court, is the most zealous in honoring her and causing her to be honored. The whole earth is full of her glory, especially among Christians, by whom she is taken as the protector of many kingdoms, provinces, dioceses, and cities. Many cathedrals are consecrated to God under her name.
There is not a church without an altar in her honor, not a country, nor a canton where there are not some miraculous images of her. After that, we must cry out with the saints: “De Maria numquam satis”—“Of Mary, there is never enough!” —St. Louis de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary. Is devotion to Jesus’ mother a part of my devotion to Jesus?
Have I considered how her unique role in the world’s salvation deserves my gratitude and praise? I love you, Mary, my Mother, and I wish I could speak with a thousand tongues, so that all might know your greatness, your holiness, your mercy, and the love with which you love all those who love you. (From a prayer of St. Alphonsus Liguori)
