Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort’s Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary – Third Week – Day Thirty Two – 17 November
Third Week
Day 32 of 33
Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 2, Chapter 7
Of the Love of Jesus above All Things
Blessed is he that understands (Psalm 119:1,2) what it is to love Jesus and to despise himself for Jesus’ sake. You ought to leave your beloved, for your beloved (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 22:37; Cant. 2:16); for that Jesus will be loved alone above all things.
The love of things created is deceitful and inconstant, the love of Jesus is faithful and persevering. He that cleaves to a creature, shall fall with that which is subject to fall; he that embraces Jesus shall be made strong forever.
2. Love Him and keep Him for your friend, who, when all go away, will not forsake you, nor suffer you to perish in the end. Some time or other you must be separated from all, whether you wish or not. Keep close to Jesus both in life and in death and commit yourself to His faithfulness, who, when all fail, can alone help you.
Your Beloved is of that nature, that He will admit of no rival but will have your heart alone and sit on His throne as King. If you could empty yourself perfectly from all creatures, Jesus would willingly dwell with you.
From True Devotion To the Blessed Virgin Mary, Nos. 257-260
There are some very sanctifying interior practices for those souls who feel called by the Holy Spirit to a high degree of perfection. They may be expressed in four words, doing everything through Mary, with Mary, in Mary and for Mary, in order to do it more perfectly through Jesus, with Jesus, in Jesus and for Jesus.
Through Mary
258. We must do everything through Mary, that is, we must obey her always and be led in all things by her spirit, which is the Holy Spirit of God. “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God,” says St. Paul. Those who are led by the spirit of Mary are children of Mary and, consequently children of God, as we have already shown. Among the many servants of Mary only those who are truly and faithfully devoted to her are led by her spirit. I have said that the spirit of Mary is the spirit of God, because she was never led by her own spirit but always by the spirit of God, who made Himself master of her to such an extent, that He became her very spirit. That is why St Ambrose says, “May the soul of Mary be in each one of us to glorify the Lord. May the spirit of Mary be in each one of us to rejoice in God.” Happy is the man who follows the example of the good Jesuit Brother Rodriguez, who died a holy death, because he will be completely possessed and governed by the spirit of Mary, a spirit which is gentle yet strong, zealous yet prudent, humble yet courageous, pure yet fruitful.
With Mary
260. We must do everything with Mary, that is to say, in all our actions we must look upon Mary, although a simple human being, as the perfect model of every virtue and perfection, fashioned by the Holy Spirit for us to imitate, as far as our limited capacity allows. In every action then, we should consider how Mary performed it or how she would perform it if she were in our place. For this reason, we must examine and meditate on the great virtues she practised during her life, especially: 1) Her lively faith, by which she believed the angel’s word without the least hesitation and believed faithfully and constantly, even to the foot of the Cross on Calvary. 2) Her deep humility, which made her prefer seclusion, maintain silence, submit to every eventuality and put herself in the last place.
Recite: Litany of the Holy Spirit, Ave Maris Stella: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/saint-louis-marie-de-montforts-total-consecration-to-jesus-through-mary-first-week-day-thirteen-29-october/
St Louis de Montfort’s Prayer to Mary: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/11/05/saint-louis-marie-de-montforts-total-consecration-to-jesus-through-mary-second-week-day-twenty-5-november/
AND
Litany of the Holy Name and O Jesus Living In Mary: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/11/12/saint-louis-marie-de-montforts-total-consecration-to-jesus-through-mary-third-week-day-twenty-seven-12-november/
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