# 33 days to morning glory: the passionate saint of brittany
*2018-04-08*

> Bill Young introduces a 33-day retreat for Marian consecration, beginning with a look at the life and zeal of St. Louis de Montfort.

## Beginning the Journey

Today we are starting something special: a do-it-yourself retreat in preparation for a Marian consecration. This is a 33-day journey that concludes on May 13th, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. The retreat is broken into five weeks, and during this first week, we will focus on the example and words of the first great prophet of Marian consecration, St. Louis de Montfort.

## The Celtic Spirit of Brittany

St. Louis grew up in Brittany, the northwestern region of France. Brittany has deep Celtic roots, and there is something special about that culture that influenced St. Louis—specifically the high spirit and passion of the Celtic warriors. Historically, these warriors were known for their unmatched passion and bravery in battle, often fighting with a fierce intensity that struck terror into their enemies.

## Channeling Passion for God

St. Louis' father, Juan, was known for having one of the fiercest tempers in all of Brittany; he was described as a volcano frequently erupting. St. Louis confessed that his own temper was just as bad as his father's, but he chose to channel that fury and passion differently. Instead of threats and violence, he directed his energy toward laboring for the greater glory of God.

## A Life of Zeal and Persecution

We can see St. Louis' remarkable zeal in his short but incredibly productive priestly life. He died in 1716 at the age of 44, having been a priest for only 16 years. He labored tirelessly to bring souls to Jesus through Mary, though this path was not easy. He faced persecution from some clergy and Jansenists, even to the point of being physically attacked and poisoned. When church leaders in France tried to put an end to his work, Louis traveled a thousand miles to Rome to seek the Pope's counsel. The Pope not only told him to return to France and continue preaching but awarded him the title of 'Apostolic Missionary.'

## An Enduring Legacy

The passion of St. Louis de Montfort eventually lit a fire in a young Karol Wojtyła, the future Pope John Paul II. Years later, the Pope realized a lifelong dream of visiting Montfort's tomb, noting how much he owed to that saint and his 'True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin.' As we begin this retreat, we should strive for that same generosity and fire in our own hearts.

*Let us resolve to dedicate ourselves to this retreat with the intensity and zeal of the Celtic warriors, relying on the intercession of St. Louis de Montfort and the Mother of God.*