About St. Louis de Montfort
St. Louis de Montfort was an influential French priest and mystic who lived from 1673 to 1716, best known for his intense devotion to the Virgin Mary and his writings on Marian spirituality. Despite facing frequent opposition from church authorities and being forbidden to preach in several French dioceses, he traveled extensively throughout western France as a missionary, focusing particularly on renewing devotion to the rosary among the poor and encouraging total consecration to Jesus through Mary. His most famous works, “True Devotion to Mary” and “The Secret of the Rosary,” were largely forgotten until his manuscript was rediscovered in 1842, after which his Marian theology gained widespread influence in Catholic spirituality. He founded two religious congregations: the Daughters of Wisdom to serve the poor and sick, and the Company of Mary (Montfort Fathers) for priests. His emphasis on the role of Mary in bringing souls to Christ influenced many later figures, including Pope John Paul II, who took his papal motto “Totus Tuus” (Totally Yours) from de Montfort’s teachings. Despite living only 43 years, he composed numerous hymns, wrote several influential spiritual treatises, and established a form of Marian consecration that continues to impact Catholic spirituality today.
Prayers & Devotions
