Life of St. Montfort

Short ppt about the life of Louis Marie now know as St. Montfort. The Congregation of the Montfort Brothers operates many educational institutions in India, especially the North-East and also abroad.

1. Life Of St. Montfort

2. A saint is born A great Saint was born in a town named Montfort in Western France, Born on 31 January 1673 his name was Louis Marie. He is now known as St. Montfort

3. Home is the First School Louis ’ father was a lawyer Louis’s mother was a god-loving woman, she taught Louis to pray. Louis was the eldest child in the family, he prayed together with all his brothers and sisters.

4. Early Life High School and College in Rennes, France Louis was good in academics He had great devotion for Blessed Mary, Mother of Jesus

5. Service Before Self Admitted a very sick old woman in the Hospital, Collected money to get new clothes for friend whom the students teased for his torn clothes. Shared his life, food, shelter with the poor, the sick and the beggars. Always at their service,

6. God’s calling Felt that God called him to serve the needy. Left home at the age of 20 to join a seminary Walked 360 kms to Paris . Strong sense of will and determination

7. GOD’s Test On the road to Paris he met a beggar and gave him all his money. He gave away his new clothes to another poor man in need. He asked for God’s blessing to be selfless and pure

8. OUR Father in Heaven On the way to Paris he begged for food and at night slept outside in the church courtyards He only had his rosary, he kept on praying till the entire journey. He accepted God as his father and Mother Mary as his mother.

9. The test of Faith Louis reached Paris in a very poor condition. All his money was finished He had to earn, his job was to guard dead bodies at night before burial He suffered and became gravely ill But he was cured, because he was destined to live and follow God’s word

10. Preparation for life A rich lady got him admitted to the famous St. Sulpice Seminary. In the Seminary, Louis spent most of his time praying He read a lot of books about God and Mother Mary He composed numerous hymns and prayers He was an artist. He painted and also carved statues.

11. The road to Sainthood Louis’ superiors doubted his spirituality His superiors tested his patience, humiliated him in front of others Louis accepted everything without ever rebelling Finally in 1700 he was ordained a priest

12. Following the life of the Lord He taught religion to the children of the Parish Fr. Louis was appointed the head of a poorhouse with 400 poor and destitute. He went to the town daily to beg for food He washed and dressed the wounds of the poor He ate and lived with them

13. Life of Poverty and Prayer In Paris he lived in a small room under the staircase Fr. Louis constantly prayed to the Lord He wrote his first book ‘The Love of E ternal Wisdom’ It was about God’s son Jesus, who became a man and died for humanity

14. Journey to Rome Fr. Louis walked 1000 kms from France to Rome to meet the Pope in 1706 Pope Clement XI was amazed at Fr. Louis devotion and called him ‘ Missionary Apostolic ’ He was the friend of the common people and became a messenger of wisdom

15. His Love for Children The rich had schools but the poor did not Fr. Louis started free schools for the poor Other Brothers and Sisters also joined him He adored children and started many other charitable schools

16. MIRACLE Worker His faith in God resulted into miracles He once saved his ship and crew from pirates Fr. Louis helped solve domestic conflicts and quarrels wherever he went Very lovingly helped people see their own mistakes

17. Poet, Artist and Composer Composed almost 200 hymns In 1712 he wrote another book ‘The Treatise on the True Devotion to Mary’ Also wrote a book ‘The Secret of Mary’ Erected crosses in many churches

18. Last days on earth His enemies mixed poison in his food Fr. Louis survived but became dangerously ill He gave away all his things and dictated his F inal Will He wanted the Brothers and Sisters to conduct charitable schools On 28 April 1716, Fr. Louis Marie breathed his last. He had a crucifix in one hand and a statue of Mother Mary in the other.