Saint Louis de Montfort's The Secret of Mary

Today on From the Housetops, Brother Matthew reflects on the teachings of St. Louis de Montfort in The Secret of Mary, focusing on the importance of sanctification and the Blessed Virgin Mary’s essential role in leading souls to Jesus Christ. St. Louis de Montfort reminds us that holiness is the purpose for which God created us, but that attaining it is impossible through our own efforts and requires God’s grace. He presents Mary as the most perfect means of obtaining that grace, describing how God has entrusted her with the care and distribution of His graces and how, just as we have God for our Father, we must also have Mary as our Mother in the order of grace.

The reflection goes on to describe Mary’s unique role in forming the faithful into true members of Jesus Christ. Drawing on the image of Mary as the living mold of God, St. Louis de Montfort shows how souls who entrust themselves to her are formed more easily, securely, and perfectly in the likeness of Christ through the work of the Holy Ghost. He also presents Mary as the paradise of God, in whom the divine Son dwells and through whom souls are led more closely to God, never held back from Him. Finally, he reminds us that true devotion to Mary does not exempt her children from crosses and sufferings; rather, she imparts the grace to carry these trials patiently and even cheerfully, sharing in the Cross of Jesus. Listen to this reflection on the secret of Mary and her indispensable role in our sanctification and union with Jesus Christ.