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Treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin

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Treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin The Catholic Primer’s Reference Series: TREATISE ON TRUE DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN St. Louis de Montfort 1 Caution regarding printing: Before you print, please check the page count of this document after it is fully loaded. Many Catholic Primer eBooks and documents are hundreds or even thousands of pages in length, depending upon individual printer settings. The Catholic Primer Copyright Notice The contents the Treatise On The True Devotion To The Blessed Virgin by St. Louis de Montfort is in the public domain. However, this electronic version is copyrighted. © The Catholic Primer, 2005. All Rights Reserved. This electronic version may be distributed free of charge provided that the contents are not altered and this copyright notice is included with the distributed copy, provided that the following conditions are adhered to. This electronic document may not be offered in connection with any other document, product, promotion or other item that is sold, exchange for compensation of any type or manner, or used as a gift for contributions, including charitable contributions without the express consent of The Catholic Primer. Notwithstanding the preceding, if this product is transferred on CD- ROM, DVD, or other similar storage media, the transferor may charge for the cost of the media, reasonable shipping expenses, and may request, but not demand, an additional donation not to exceed US$15. Questions concerning this limited license should be directed to [email protected] . This document may not be distributed in print form without the prior consent of The Catholic Primer. Adobe®, Acrobat®, and Acrobat® Reader® are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. The Catholic Primer: www.catholicprimer.org 2 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION OF SAINT LOUIS MARIE............................................................... 6 PART I: TRUE DEVOTION TO OUR LADY IN GENERAL...................................... 9 CHAPTER ONE - NECESSITY OF DEVOTION TO OUR LADY......................... 9 Mary's part in the Incarnation ................................................................................. 9 Mary's part in the sanctification of souls............................................................. 10 Consequences........................................................................................................ 14 Mary's part in the latter times ............................................................................... 17 God wishes to make Mary better known in the latter times............................. 17 Devotion to Mary is especially necessary in the latter times........................... 20 CHAPTER TWO - IN WHAT DEVOTION TO MARY CONSISTS...................... 22 Basic principles of devotion to Mary.................................................................... 22 First principle: Christ must be the ultimate end of all devotions ..................... 22 Prayer of Saint Augustine ..................................................................................... 24 Second principle: We belong to Jesus and Mary as their slaves ................... 25 Third principle: We must rid ourselves of what is evil in us............................. 27 Fourth principle: It is more humble to have an intermediary with Christ ....... 29 Fifth principle: It is difficult to keep the graces received from God................. 30 Marks of false and authentic devotion to Mary.................................................. 31 False devotion to our Lady ................................................................................... 32 Critical devotees..................................................................................................... 32 Scrupulous devotees ............................................................................................. 32 Superficial devotees .............................................................................................. 33 Presumptuous devotees ....................................................................................... 33 Inconstant devotees............................................................................................... 35 Hypocritical devotees ............................................................................................ 35 Self-interested devotees ....................................................................................... 35 Marks of authentic devotion to our Lady ............................................................ 36 Principal practices of devotion to Mary............................................................... 37 The Perfect Practice .............................................................................................. 40 PART II: THE PERFECT DEVOTION TO OUR LADY ........................................... 41 CHAPTER THREE - THE PERFECT CONSECRATION TO JESUS CHRIST 41 A complete consecration to Mary ........................................................................ 41 A perfect renewal of baptismal promises ........................................................... 42 3 CHAPTER FOUR - MOTIVES WHICH RECOMMEND THIS DEVOTION....... 46 By it we give ourselves completely to God ........................................................ 46 It helps us to imitate Christ ................................................................................... 47 It obtains many blessings from our Lady............................................................ 48 It is an excellent means of giving glory to God.................................................. 50 It leads to union with our Lord.............................................................................. 51 It gives great liberty of spirit.................................................................................. 57 It is of great benefit to our neighbour .................................................................. 57 It is a wonderful means of perseverance............................................................ 58 CHAPTER FIVE - BIBLICAL FIGURE OF THIS PERFECT DEVOTION: ........ 62 REBECCA AND JACOB ........................................................................................... 62 The Story of Jacob................................................................................................. 62 Interpretation of the story...................................................................................... 63 Services of our Lady to her faithful servants...................................................... 67 She loves them....................................................................................................... 67 She imparts new perfume and fresh grace to those garments....................... 69 She provides for all their needs ........................................................................... 70 She leads and guides them .................................................................................. 70 She defends and protects them........................................................................... 71 She intercedes for them........................................................................................ 71 CHAPTER SIX - WONDERFUL EFFECTS OF THIS DEVOTION.................. 73 Knowledge of our unworthiness........................................................................... 73 A share in Mary's faith ........................................................................................... 73 The gift of pure love ............................................................................................... 74 Great confidence in God and in Mary ................................................................. 74 Communication of the spirit of Mary.................................................................... 75 Transformation into the likeness of Jesus.......................................................... 75 The greater glory of Christ .................................................................................... 76 CHAPTER SEVEN - PARTICULAR PRACTICES OF THIS DEVOTION......... 78 Exterior Practices ................................................................................................... 78 Preparation and Consecration ............................................................................. 78 The Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin................................................................ 79 The Wearing of Little Chains ................................................................................ 80 Honouring the mystery of the Incarnation .......................................................... 82 Saying the Hail Mary and the Rosary ................................................................. 83 Praying the Magnificat........................................................................................... 85 Contempt of the world ........................................................................................... 86 Special interior practices for those who wish to be perfect ............................. 86 Through Mary.......................................................................................................... 86 4 With Mary................................................................................................................. 87 In Mary ..................................................................................................................... 88 For Mary..................................................................................................................
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