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Born poor. Studied in Paris, and ordained in 1700. While a seminarian he
delighted in researching the writings of Church Fathers, Doctors and
Saints as they related to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom he was
singularly devoted.
Under Mary's inspiration, he founded the Congregation of the Daughters of
Divine Wisdom, a religious institute of women devoted to the care of the
destitute. During this work, he began his apostolate of preaching the
Rosary and authentic Marian devotion. He preached so forcefully and
effectively against the errors of Jansenism that expelled from several
dioceses in France. In Rome Pope Clement XI conferred on him the title and
authority of Missionary Apostolic, which enabled him to continue his
apostolate after returning to France. He preached Mary everywhere and to
everyone. A member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, Saint Louis was
one of the greatest apostles of the Rosary in his day, and by means of his
miraculously inspiring book, The Secret of the Rosary, he is still
so today; the most common manner of reciting the Rosary is the method that
originated with Saint Louis's preaching. In 1715, he founded a missionary
band known as the Company of Mary.
His greatest contribution to the Church and world is Total Consecration to
the Blessed Virgin. He propagated this in his day by preaching and after
his own death by his other famous book True Devotion to Mary.
Consecration to Mary is for Saint Louis the perfect manner of renewing
one's baptismal promises. His spirituality has been espoused by millions,
especially Pope John Paul II, who has consecrated not only himself but
every place he has visited as pope. In True Devotion to Mary, Saint Louis
prophesied that the army of souls consecrated to Mary will be Her
instrument in defeating the Devil and his Antichrist. As Satan gains power
in the world, so much more shall the new Eve triumph over him and crush
his head.
The cause for his declaration as a Doctor of the Church is now being
pursued.
Born: 31 January 1673 at Montfort-La-Cane, Brittany, France
Died: 1716 at Saint-Laurent-sur-Sovre, France
Canonized: 1947 by Pope Pius XII
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