A Treatise on the True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Original unedited 1863 edition translated from the French by Fr Faber, D. D. A Classic Devotional work with consecration to Jesus by Mary. St Louis De Montfort was Canonized on July 20, 1947. CONTENTSTranslator's Preface 5Preface to the French Edition 12Introduction 16PART I 23On Devotion to Our Blessed Lady in GeneralI. Excellence and Necessity of Devotion to Our Blessed Lady 23II. Discernment of the True Devotion to Our Blessed Lady: Five Fundamental Truths Presupposed 591. False Devotions to our Lady 902. True Devotion, It's Characters 100PART II 106On the Most Excellent Devotion to Our Blessed Lady, or the Perfect Consecration to Jesus by Mary 106Preliminary Observations on the Different Ways of Honouring Our Blessed LadyI. In What Consists the Perfect Consecration to Jesus Christ by Mary 112II. Its Motives 123Figure of this Consecration in the History of Jacob Receiving the Blessing of Isaac through the Offices of RebeccaIII. Admirable Effects of the Perfect Consecration to Jesus by Mary 193IV. Its Exterior 206and Interior Practices 228Manner of Practising this Devotion at Communion 237Formula of Consecration to Jesus by Mary 243Excerpt: It was on the 12th of May 1853, that the decree was pronounced at Rome, declaring his writings to be exempt from all error which could be a bar to his canonisation. In this very treatise on the veritable devotion to our Blessed Lady, he has recorded this prophecy. "I clearly foresee that raging brutes will come in fury to tear with their diabolical teeth this little writing, and him whom the Holy Ghost has made use of to write it; or at least to envelop it in the silence of a coffer, in order that it may not appear." Nevertheless, he prophesies both its appearance and its success. All this was fulfilled to the letter. The author died in 1716, and the treatise was found by accident by one of the priests of his congregation at St. Laurent-sur-Sevre, in 1842. The existing superior was able to attest the handwriting as being that of the venerable founder; and the autograph was sent to Rome, to be examined in the process of canonisation. All those who are likely to read this book love God, and lament that they do not love Him more; all desire something for His glory-the spread of some good work, the success of some devotion, the coming of some good time. One man has been striving for years to overcome a particular fault, and has not succeeded. Another mourns, and almost wonders while he mourns, that so few of his relations and friends have been converted to the faith. One grieves that he has not devotion enough; another that he has a cross to carry, which is a peculiarly impossible cross to him; while a third has domestic troubles and family unhappinesses, which feel almost incompatible with his salvation; and for all these things prayer appears to bring so little remedy. But what is the remedy that is wanted? What is the remedy indicated by God Himself? If we may rely on the disclosures of the Saints, it is an immense increase of devotion to our Blessed Lady; but, remember, nothing short of an immense one.