Born: January 31, 1673, Montfort-sur-Meu, France

Died: April 28, 1716, Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre, France

Nationality: French

Vocation: priest

Attributes: crucifix, statue of Our Lady and the Infant Jesus

Beatification: 1888, by Pope Leo XIII

Canonization: 1947, by Pope Pius XII

Totus Tuus ego sum.

Louis Grignion was born in the latter half of the 17th century in Brittany, a northwestern region of France. He hailed from, and was baptized in the village of Montfort-sur-Meu, the name of which he would proudly adapt as part of his name as an adult. Born to a devout farming family, Louis was the oldest of 18 children.

Upon his confirmation, Louis added Marie to his name as a testament to his deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and her Rosary, which began to manifest very early in his life. God called Louis to the priesthood and the young man accepted the call, even undertaking an over-100 mile trek to a seminary in Paris.

While in seminary, Louis became a librarian and it was here that he began to study in depth spiritual writings on the Christian life and the Blessed Mother.  In addition, he developed a great love for the angels and encouraged others to venerate their guardian angel.  

Louis finished his studies at the seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in the year 1700, at the age of 27. In one of his first assignments as a clergyman, he briefly served as a hospital chaplain. 

After Louis had been a priest for five years, he founded the Company of Mary, a congregation of missionaries – priests and brothers – united in their devotion to the Blessed Mother. It was also at this time that he realized his God-given gift for sharing the Gospel through preaching. Louis at once embarked on a mission to the western part of his native France.

While on mission, Louis was inspired to write “True Devotion to Mary,” “The Secret of Mary,” and “The Secret of the Rosary,” which would become the inspiration behind the 33-day “Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary” that is practiced by millions of Catholics around the world today.

Louis’ preaching was effective so much to the point that he made a number of enemies throughout his life. At the time, many Catholics in France were falling victim to Jansenism, a heresy that promoted predestination and therefore rejected Church teaching on free will. Despite attempts by heretical bishops to ban his ministry, Louis did not lose faith and continued to witness for the one and true Church. 

By God’s grace, he survived one Jansenist's attempt to end his life through poisoning. However, again, the humble priest did not let his brush with death distract him from continuing to preach the Gospel. In his later years, Louis went on to found a religious school. Unfortunately, his life would be cut short by an illness, and he passed away in the year 1716, at the age of 43. 

Although Louis was a relatively obscure figure during his life, his various writings on Marian devotion and intercession achieved widespread popularity almost centuries after his death. The humble devotee to Mary is best known for coining the simple prayer for Our Lady’s intercession: Totus tuus ego sum (Latin for “I am all yours”). Following Louis’ example Pope St. John Paul II, another saint with an incredible devotion to the Blessed Mother, chose “totus tuus” as his Papal motto. 

St. Louis de Montfort, pray for us.