Saint of the Day

01 · Read · A life to discover

St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort

Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort was a French priest whose preaching and writing centered on following Jesus through devotion to Mary. His best-known work, the Treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, was written early in the eighteenth century. Its manuscript remained largely unknown until rediscovery in 1842 and publication the following year.

The history of the Treatise's manuscript explains why his influence became especially extensive long after his death. Readers encountered a developed account of consecration and discipleship, not simply a collection of practices detached from theology. The purpose of devotion was the believer's deeper belonging to Jesus.

Montfort understood Marian devotion within the Christian mystery of salvation: Mary directs believers toward Christ. His writing profoundly influenced later Catholic spirituality, including John Paul II, who described its importance in his own religious formation. The Montfort religious family continues to draw on this spiritual inheritance and its missionary purpose.

John Paul II emphasized that Montfort's approach must be understood through the Trinity and the Incarnation. This provides an important guide for reading strong devotional language: honoring Mary is not meant to make her an alternative savior. His writings belong within the Church's confession of Christ and the call to baptismal faithfulness.

This saint is included on this recurring date in the U.S. Roman Rite calendar published by the USCCB. This reading guide gives U.S. calendar saints priority; the Mass celebrated on a particular year’s date can differ because of Sundays, seasons or higher-ranking celebrations.