Now keep in mind, this is all a rough version of the final article, and I'm still making improvements, but here's what I have so far:
Montfort
Spirituality
Montfort
spirituality is an 18th century spirituality based on the writings
of St Louis De Montfort and influenced by the French school of spirituality.
Like all Catholic spiritual schools, it bases itself on the Catholic faith and
the Gospels, but places greater emphasis in the Virgin Mary’s role in salvation
through Jesus. Considered the forerunner to Roman Catholic Mariology, it has
influenced the spiritual outlook of many Catholic figures, including Blessed
Pope John Paul II.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES:
Montfort
Spirituality can be summarized with the phrases “To God Alone, by Christ
Wisdom, in the Spirit, in communion with Mary, for the reign of God,” or “God
Alone” and “In Jesus, through Mary.”
PRACITICES:
Montfort
Spirituality can be divided into two categories: internal and external. Each
together brings about in the soul knowledge and contempt of self; participation
in Mary’s faith; deliverance from cares, fears and scruples; great confidence
in God and Mary; communication of the soul and spirit of Mary; transformation
of the faithful soul by Mary into the likeness of Jesus Christ; and the greater
glory of God.
INTERNAL:
According to
Montfort’s work True Devotion to Mary, followers of this spirituality are to
imitate the following virtues of the Virgin Mary:
-humility
-Lively
faith
-blind
obedience
-continual
mental prayer
-mortification
-purity
-charity
-patience
-sweetness
-wisdom
EXTERNAL:
Emphasis on the
Incarnation-
unlike many other spiritualties, Montfort spirituality places more emphasis on
the Word taking flesh, and becoming man. Hence, the spirituality puts great
importance on the Annunciation, which commemorates Christ’s conception in
Mary’s womb. Various prayers and litanies to the Incarnation are greatly
encouraged.
Devotion to the Rosary- Influenced by the Dominican Order
(which he belonged to), Montfort teaches daily prayer of the Rosary and even
composed five special ways of saying the Rosary (and later meditations on the
Rosary Mysteries).
Frequent recitation of
the Ave Maria, the Magnificat, and a saying to remind us of our devotion- St Montfort writes about the
importance of saying the Hail Mary often as possible:
“it is the most perfect compliment
you can give to Mary, because it is a compliment which the Most High sent her
by an archangel, in order to win her heart; and it was so powerful over her
heart by the secret charms of which it was so full, that in spite of her
profound humility she gave her consent to the Incarnation of the Word.”
He says this
about the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55):
It is the only prayer, the only work,
which the Holy Virgin composed, or rather, which Jesus composed in her; for He
spoke by her mouth. It is the greatest sacrifice of praise which God ever
received from a pure creature in the law of grace.
Montfort
even penned a special saying each follower is to say at least once a day:
“I am thine
and all I have is thine, oh most loving Jesus, through Mary, Your most Holy
Mother.”
Wearing of the Scapular,
Miraculous Medal and “little chains”- Montfort teaches that those who follow this devotion are to
wear the scapular and the Miraculous Medal as well as a symbol for their new
holy slavery to Mary (see below) for “[wearing little chains] reminds the
Christian of the vows of baptism”…”shows the world we are not ashamed of the
servitude and slavery of Jesus Christ” and “to protect ourselves against the
slavery of sin and the Devil.” However, it should be noted a simple light chain
and even a ring (like one made by the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary)
will suffice.
Reciting the Little
Crown of Mary- Consisting
of three Our Fathers and 12 Hail Marys, and also known as the
"Triple Crown of the Twelve Stars of the Blessed Virgin" because it
is based on St. John the Divine's vision in from Rev 11 and 12, the Little Crown honors Mary as symbolizing
her motherhood and queen-ship over all Israel, the twelve stars representing
the 12 Tribes and the 12 Apostles. Though not written by Montfort himself, he did add
additional praises to Mary in between the Hail Mary’s and a special litany
format (link here)
A spiritual parallel to
Jacob and Rebecca (Gen 27) –St Montfort reminds us of the story of Jacob, who with the
help of his mother Rebecca, achieves the blessing of his father Isaac. This coincides with his teaching of always
depending on our spiritual mother to gain blessings from our spiritual father.
Angelus/Regia Coli- Montfort encourages these two
prayers, both said at noon but at different times of year, as reminders of the
role Mary played in salvation through Jesus.
The concept of “holy
slavery”- Going
several steps beyond regular dependence on God, St. Montfort views the
spirituality as being slaves to God and therefore love. “It is easily seen,
then, that he who is a slave by constraint is rigorously dependent on his
master. Strictly speaking, a man must be
dependent in that sense only on his Creator.”
Special method of
receiving Communion- Before Holy Communion, Montfort wants those following his spirituality
to humble themselves and ask the Virgin Mary for her heart to better receive
Jesus. “I take thee for my all. Give me your heart, oh Mary.” During Communion
but before receiving it, one is to say “Lord, I am not worthy” to each of the
members of the Holy Trinity, and ask to behold Mary, to see Mary coming into
your house and life, and to have all confidence in Mary to the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit respectively. After receiving Communion, he recommends various
suggestions, all revolving around uniting the hearts of Jesus and Mary within
yourself.
33 day consecration- once a year, those following
Montfort spirituality take a 33 day length consecration to Mary, composed of special litanies, prayers,
readings from the Bible, The Imitation of Christ, various Montfort writings,
and different exercises depending on the teaching emphasized. Upon completion,
the follower is to choose a day significant to Marian theology (such as the
Annunciation or Christmas) to make final vows and promises to the Virgin Mary.
This is a very nice article. I feel spirituality is a difficult subject subject to understand for anybody. Many people take it for granted and never try to explore more about it.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Henry Jordan
The Equation Game
For more information check out Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
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