Papal Commendation

In spite of criticism of “True Devotion,” it should be remembered that six Popes have recommended it, while Leo XIII renewed the Act of Consecration on his deathbed and Saint Pius X both practiced the devotion and granted the Apostolic Benediction to all who would read the Treatise.

The number of interior transformations it has encouraged and inspired cannot be calculated, but the Confraternity alone numbers several hundred thousand members throughout the world.

Devotion to Mary is the royal highway to the establishment of Christ’s Kingship for, as de Montfort assures us:

“Our union with Jesus always and necessarily follows our union with Mary, because the spirit of Mary is the spirit of Jesus. When we have once found Mary, and through Mary, Jesus, and through Jesus, God the Father, we have found all good. (From “How Mary forms Jesus in us” – “The Secret of Mary.”)

Perhaps we could re-read de Montfort’s last great prophecy in the light of the spiritual transformation the Marian apostolate has brought about in the present century:

“Through Mary God came into the world the first time. . . .may we not say that it is through Mary also that He will come the second time, as the whole Church expects Him, to rule everywhere and to judge the living and the dead?” (From “Fruits of this devotion” – “The Secret of Mary.”)

As most of us are not theologians, we do not have to construct speculative theological systems about Mary. For if we live total consecration to Mary, as Montfort did, we have the words of Saint Pius X as our light and encouragement:

“Who does not know that there is no more certain and easy way than Mary to unite all with Christ and to attain through Him the perfect adoption of sons, that we may be holy and immaculate in the sight of God?” (From “Ad diem illum.” February 2nd, 1904.)

Nihil obstat:

BERNARD O’CONNOR, Diocesan Censor.

Imprimatur:

✠ JUSTIN D. SIMONDS, Archiepiscopus Melburnensis.