Thursday, April 28, 2011

St. Louis de Montfort

Although not celebrated this year on account of Easter Week, today is the feast of St. Louis de Montfort  (January 31, 1673 –  April 28, 1716).  If you do the math, you will see that St. Louis died rather young, at 43.  He was poisoned, and although he didn't die of it, the poisoning may have sped his demise.  I've been reading St. Louis' "The Secret of the Rosary" during my commute.  St. Louis was remarkable for his devotion to Our Lady, as well as his contributions to the theological understanding of Mary's role in salvation.  St. Louis's writings influenced several popes, including John Paul II, whose motto, "Totus Tuus" was derived from a prayer composed by the Saint.   The full text of the prayer is "Totus tuus ego sum, et omnia mea tua sunt" ("I am all yours, and all that I have is yours").   Henryk Gorecki composed a chorale with this title to celebrate John Paul II's third visit to Poland.  You can listen to a sample here.
The following quotation is taken from the introduction to what is likely St. Louis's most admired work, "True Devotion to Mary:"

And yet in truth we must still say with the saints: De Maria numquam satis : We have still not praised, exalted, honoured, loved and served Mary adequately. She is worthy of even more praise, respect, love and service.

Here is St. Louis's statue in St. Peter's Basilica.  He was accorded this honor as founder of the Daughters of Wisdom.

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