Saint Louis de Montfort’s mission was to bring together a small band of good priests under the banner and protection of Our Lady, to evangelize the poor, and instill a great love for the Blessed Virgin Mary in the hearts of all.
He traveled across France on foot to live and preach among the sick, poor, and needy, and was known as a mystic, missionary, and an extraordinary preacher.
He strove to win over souls by encouraging complete belonging to Christ through Mary.
As Saint Louis wrote,
“I am all yours, and all that I have is yours, O most loving Jesus, through Mary, your holy Mother.” (Treatise on True Devotion, n. 233).
"Pour, pour into the bosom and the heart of Mary all your treasures, all your graces, all your virtues. She is a spiritual vessel, she is a vessel of honor, she is a marvelous vessel of devotion—Vas spirituale, vas honorabile, vas insigne devotionis."(Treatise on True Devotion, n. 178).
But what of Saint Louis de Montfort’s foretelling of future events that are yet to unfold?
In True Devotion to Mary, Saint Louis foresees that devotion to Our Lady will be especially necessary in the latter times, where there will be a great revival of faith.
Saint Louis de Montfort says,
“Almighty God and his holy Mother are to raise up great saints who will surpass in holiness most other saints as much as the cedars of Lebanon tower above little shrubs.” (n. 47)
He added that these great saints, soldiers, and servants of Our Lady,
“will be ministers of the Lord who, like a flaming fire, will enkindle everywhere the fires of divine love. They will become, in Mary’s powerful hands, like sharp arrows, with which she will transfix her enemies.” (n. 56)
“They will be like thunder-clouds flying through the air at the slightest breath of the Holy Spirit. Attached to nothing, surprised at nothing, troubled at nothing, they will shower down the rain of God’s word and of eternal life.
“They will thunder against sin, they will storm against the world, they will strike down the devil and his followers, and for life and for death, they will pierce through and through with the two-edged sword of God’s word all those against whom they are sent by Almighty God.” (n. 57)
“They will combat with one hand, and build with the other: they will overthrow, rout, and crush heretics and their heresies, schismatics and their schisms, idolaters and their idolatries, sinners and their wickedness; they will build the temple of the true Solomon and the mystical city of God.” (n. 48)
When we are burdened with life’s troubles and tribulations, let us not forget that God has a Divine Plan for our lives and that He has destined us for greatness, especially when the trials around us are great.
All things happen for a Providential reason – though it may take a multitude of years to see God’s mysterious plans unfold.