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The Secret of Mary
A short, famous classic on "true devotion to Mary"--an excellent, easy means of attaining holiness and salvation, a way followed by Popes and Saints, but also perfect for lay people. It is at least every bit as good as his True Devotion to Mary! Small but powerful--seems almost divinely inspired!
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1868
108 people are currently reading
761 people want to read
About the author
Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort
76 books170 followersLouis-Marie Grignion de Montfort est un prêtre catholique français, né le 31 janvier 1673 à Montfort-la-Cane en province de Bretagne (aujourd'hui Montfort-sur-Meu en Ille-et-Vilaine) et qui est mort le 28 avril 1716 à Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre en province du Poitou) (de nos jours dans le département de la Vendée). Il est le fondateur de deux congrégations religieuses : la Compagnie de Marie (les Pères montfortains) d'où seront issus les Frères de Saint-Gabriel et une congrégation féminine : les Filles de la sagesse. Béatifié par Léon XIII, en 1888, il est canonisé par Pie XII, en 1947.
Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (31 January 1673 – 28 April 1716) was a French Roman Catholic priest and Confessor. He was known in his time as a preacher and was made a missionary apostolic by Pope Clement XI.
As well as preaching, Montfort found time to write a number of books which went on to become classic Catholic titles and influenced several popes. Montfort is known for his particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the practice of praying the Rosary.
Montfort is considered as one of the early writers in the field of Mariology. His most notable works regarding Marian devotions are contained in The Secret of Mary and the True Devotion to Mary.
The Roman Catholic Church, under the pontificate of Pope Pius XII canonized Montfort on July 20, 1947. A "founders statue" created by Giacomo Parisini is located in an upper niche of the south nave of Saint Peter's Basilica.
Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (31 January 1673 – 28 April 1716) was a French Roman Catholic priest and Confessor. He was known in his time as a preacher and was made a missionary apostolic by Pope Clement XI.
As well as preaching, Montfort found time to write a number of books which went on to become classic Catholic titles and influenced several popes. Montfort is known for his particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the practice of praying the Rosary.
Montfort is considered as one of the early writers in the field of Mariology. His most notable works regarding Marian devotions are contained in The Secret of Mary and the True Devotion to Mary.
The Roman Catholic Church, under the pontificate of Pope Pius XII canonized Montfort on July 20, 1947. A "founders statue" created by Giacomo Parisini is located in an upper niche of the south nave of Saint Peter's Basilica.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 9, 2015
Excellent short synthesis of True Devotion.
August 17, 2022
This little book - or rather pamphlet - is something of a distillation of De Montfort's Treatise on the True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, which I have had on my shelf for a few years but am yet to read. My father-in-law lent me this after I told him in conversation that Our Lady has been on my mind quite a lot lately. Since 2020, I have felt a certain sense of being drawn towards her, as if I were being subtly encouraged to seek refuge in her, shelter from my many sinful inclinations.
It is these that give me pause when I think about actually consecrating myself to Mary, as this publication is instructing its readers towards. I would love to, and I know I really should. But sometimes I think how can I dare to assign myself such a beautiful and important duty of devoting all my works to her, when so much of who I am is so utterly worthless? I face a similar conflict within myself when I take Holy Communion, knowing I am usually not in a state of grace, and that many a more traditional Catholic would sternly warn me that this is a grave error - my father-in-law included.
My own scruples and examinations of conscience notwithstanding, this is a wonderful little book that serious Catholics should read and give consideration to.
It is these that give me pause when I think about actually consecrating myself to Mary, as this publication is instructing its readers towards. I would love to, and I know I really should. But sometimes I think how can I dare to assign myself such a beautiful and important duty of devoting all my works to her, when so much of who I am is so utterly worthless? I face a similar conflict within myself when I take Holy Communion, knowing I am usually not in a state of grace, and that many a more traditional Catholic would sternly warn me that this is a grave error - my father-in-law included.
My own scruples and examinations of conscience notwithstanding, this is a wonderful little book that serious Catholics should read and give consideration to.
June 11, 2018
Wonderful book. If you want to increase your devotion to the Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, read this book. A quick and easy read.
May 19, 2020
Loved this ! Convinced me to pray the Rosary daily - or as often as daily as I can !
July 21, 2022
Omnia per Mariam
December 12, 2021
Read this as part of my required reading for a Mariology class. Writings of St. Louis de Montfort on devotion to Mary. Written to a nun whose name is lost to time, it explains his thought processes and what he discovered in prayer regarding Mary. You don't need to have done the consecration to Mary to read this book, but I think having a general understanding of the consecration (any of them) can help. I would recommend this book to people who are firmly in their spirituality and devotion to Our Lord. This book could inadvertently cause scandal to those new in their faith, and/or those not being led by a solid spiritual director.
April 14, 2015
...a great book that describes how to be a devotee to the Blessed Virgin Mary..
September 13, 2020
What better way to conform yourself to the Good Lord than to draw close to the one who formed Christ?
July 7, 2025
I enjoy most of the writings from Saint Louis de Montfort. I just finished the 33day consecration to Jesus through Mary by him. This was nice to read after that.
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June 21, 2023When choosing this life, Mary will give you weightier crosses, to be carried well & even happily.
Mary doles out graces -- not equally upon everyone, but in ample measure for each.
Cultivating & nurturing the Tree of True Life within us (which is Mary).
Mary doles out graces -- not equally upon everyone, but in ample measure for each.
Cultivating & nurturing the Tree of True Life within us (which is Mary).
May 7, 2017
a condensed (or introductory) version of the author's True Devotion, this quick read offers and excellent overview of the devotion and would serve well as a review (or intro) to the practice.
August 31, 2018
Life-changing.
May 12, 2013
Solidifies Mary as my eternal Mother. Helps in understanding her role in the Church and our lives.
November 25, 2025
In Jesus' hidden life, He was happy to do and be under His Virgin Mother and Virgin Father, Joseph's will for 30 years, obedient to them and learning from them.
If we strive to be more Christ-like Christians, why would we not subject ourselves to Our Lady, just as Our Lord did?
I did my Concecration to Jesus through Mary (or simply "Marian Concecration") back in February of this year (2025) on the Marian feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Gabi Castillo (GabiAfterHours) put me on to Marian Concecration by St. Maximilian Kolbe's method, through his Militia Immaculata (of which I am now a member.)
I had previously read St. de Montfort's amazing and beautiful, 'Secrets of the Rosary.' But I hadn't yet worked through his True Devotion masterpiece.
Well, now after reading this work of the Saint's and recently re-reading True Devotion, I've decided for my Concecration Renewal, I'm going to use St. de Montfort's method.
[Impromptu sharing of my love for my Mother]
From the Cross, Jesus blessed all of this with His Holy Mother. Through Jesus, our Brother, we are blessed to have His Immaculate human Mother and His Father in Heaven.
Hesitant? Afraid even? Afraid you are going to show Mary too much love and not enough will go to Jesus? Is that how your family works? Don't worry, you could never love Mary more than Her Son does. She is the beloved Daughter of God the Father, the beloved Mother of God the Son and the beloved Spouse of God the Holy Spirit. Every Person of the Most Holy Trinity has a unique relationship with her, and all want you to love her.
Holy Mary, Full of Grace, is Queen of Heaven and Earth. The Queen Mother who petitions her Son, the King on our behalf. Go to her and she will bring you closer to her Son.
Holy Mother Mary, O Splendor of Heaven, Mystical Rose, Star of the Sea, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
If we strive to be more Christ-like Christians, why would we not subject ourselves to Our Lady, just as Our Lord did?
I did my Concecration to Jesus through Mary (or simply "Marian Concecration") back in February of this year (2025) on the Marian feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Gabi Castillo (GabiAfterHours) put me on to Marian Concecration by St. Maximilian Kolbe's method, through his Militia Immaculata (of which I am now a member.)
I had previously read St. de Montfort's amazing and beautiful, 'Secrets of the Rosary.' But I hadn't yet worked through his True Devotion masterpiece.
Well, now after reading this work of the Saint's and recently re-reading True Devotion, I've decided for my Concecration Renewal, I'm going to use St. de Montfort's method.
[Impromptu sharing of my love for my Mother]
From the Cross, Jesus blessed all of this with His Holy Mother. Through Jesus, our Brother, we are blessed to have His Immaculate human Mother and His Father in Heaven.
Hesitant? Afraid even? Afraid you are going to show Mary too much love and not enough will go to Jesus? Is that how your family works? Don't worry, you could never love Mary more than Her Son does. She is the beloved Daughter of God the Father, the beloved Mother of God the Son and the beloved Spouse of God the Holy Spirit. Every Person of the Most Holy Trinity has a unique relationship with her, and all want you to love her.
Holy Mary, Full of Grace, is Queen of Heaven and Earth. The Queen Mother who petitions her Son, the King on our behalf. Go to her and she will bring you closer to her Son.
Holy Mother Mary, O Splendor of Heaven, Mystical Rose, Star of the Sea, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
August 1, 2023
I don't think I understand this.
Is it just tthe principle of incarnation ("of the virgin mary") principle taken to excess on the common latin principle of "its fitting for it be so?" Or did I just not understand this?
There is a high mariology, even a co-redemptrix latin mariology, and then there is this; from St. Louis, where nearly everything is about Mary, bjt confusingly, only to bring you to God, who, (maybe?) Doesn't will to ordinarily communicate Himself to you but through her? - which - again, is drawn from the creedal principle of Christmas an dthe incarnation...but... with excessive application? Or... ? Idk.
Is it just tthe principle of incarnation ("of the virgin mary") principle taken to excess on the common latin principle of "its fitting for it be so?" Or did I just not understand this?
There is a high mariology, even a co-redemptrix latin mariology, and then there is this; from St. Louis, where nearly everything is about Mary, bjt confusingly, only to bring you to God, who, (maybe?) Doesn't will to ordinarily communicate Himself to you but through her? - which - again, is drawn from the creedal principle of Christmas an dthe incarnation...but... with excessive application? Or... ? Idk.
November 30, 2024
The “Secret of the Rosary” is a wonderful work on the Rosary. However, this little work is a bit odd to me, I am not exactly certain what its aim is; it is all over, and it lacks structure. I thought it would be helpful during the Marian consecration I have begun, yet it seems I should read Saint Louis De Montfort’s “True Devotion to Mary” if I want a better, more thorough, aid in Marian devotion.
January 18, 2025
Very informative. I recommend if you’d like to know how to become truly devoted to Mary, and begin to understand the unique relationship between her and God, and what that means for Catholics. I quite enjoyed this read and took extensive notes. De Montfort gives, in excellent detail, a guide for concreting yourself to Mary and why it is important and necessary to salvation. I’m sure this is not for all, but for those interested in learning more, I’d highly recommend the read.
April 29, 2022
A short book and a good work on consecration to Jesus through Mary. I know as a convert, consecration in this way sometimes sounds weird, but de Montfort does a good job of explaining that it’s just going to Jesus the same way He came to us - through and in cooperation with Mary. That she can help us come closer to Jesus.
August 7, 2022
Un excelente libro que todo católico debe leer y sobre todo poner en practica.
Un excelente libro que todo católico debe leer y sobre todo poner en practica.
Es increíble como La Virgen nos habla a través de su mensaje
Un excelente libro que todo católico debe leer y sobre todo poner en practica.
Es increíble como La Virgen nos habla a través de su mensaje
June 12, 2023
Super quick read! Finished in one day for my upcoming TOB course on Mary. It really helped that de Montfort’s ideas have been explained to me in the past because his language can be unsettling for a first-time reader (esp. if they’re coming from a Protestant background).
October 28, 2025
A short but deeply moving devotional work. The love and reverence for the Blessed Virgin Mary shines through every page. It offers a simple yet profound invitation to entrust yourself fully to her guidance. Beautiful and inspiring.
October 10, 2019
Un hermoso y simple libro que expone con sencillez claves de espiritualidad mariana que pueden transformar la vida de cualquier cristiano.
August 25, 2020
After reading this book, your life will definitely change.
September 9, 2023
Not as good a True Devotion by the same author.
October 21, 2023
Quite short. Its a bit outdated and all the references to being a slave of Mary, although I'm sure well intentioned, is very jarring to modern ears.
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March 10, 2024good
November 14, 2024
Un excelente libro para renovar la consagración total a Jesús por María. Hace amar más a María y a descubrir un maravilloso secreto, el de Jesucristo, Sabiduría eterna del Padre, viviente en María.
May 14, 2025
Aisément le meilleur ouvrage dévotionel dédié à Marie.
Notre Dame qui défait les noeuds, priez pour nous!
Notre Dame qui défait les noeuds, priez pour nous!
August 1, 2025
Super short read. I liked the consecration and having a feast day for it annually. Thinking about doing a total consecration. Great book considering the size.
June 5, 2025
Hermoso... lo quiero volver a leer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews