Honoring Saint Louis de Montfort

Following Mass this morning, on the feast of Saint Louis Marie de Montfort, religious, faculty, students, and friends gathered outside the IHM Elementary building to witness the blessing of a new shrine. The evening before, the Brothers carefully placed a 2,000 lb. marble statue of Saint Louis de Montfort, depicted holding the crucifix and stepping on Satan, in the circular, raised garden that had been prepared for it.

This morning’s blessing of the shrine was a moving and memorable event. (Watch the slideshow below!) The imposing statue, modeled after the one that stands high in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, now graces the grounds as if it has always belonged. For the past 50 years, the spirit of “to Jesus through Mary” has shaped this community, and now the Saint Louis Marie statue stands as a visible commemoration of that legacy.

With the life-size Crucifixion scene just beyond, Saint Louis stands as both protector and inspiration to all who visit the monastery. During Mass, Father delivered a brief sermon to the schoolchildren, reflecting on the purpose of statues: to remind us of the unseen heroes of our Faith and to encourage us to become visible witnesses, drawing souls to Jesus and Mary by the example of our lives.

May the spirit of Saint Louis Marie de Montfort—and our Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary—guide us through life and lead us into eternity!