MARY, OUR MOTHER

The Role of the Virgin Mary in the End Times

Introduction
One of the great contributions of St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort in the teaching about Mary is his writing about her role in the latter times. A quote from his book, "The True Devotion to Mary", states and expresses well this role of Mary in the end times: "The salvation of the world began through Mary and through her it must be accomplished." (True Devotion, #49) Mary's role in the latter times St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort explains in detail why God wishes Mary to have a role in the end times. He writes in his book, "The True Devotion", the details why God wishes to make Mary better known. The reasons are as follows:

• Keeping herself hidden by her great humility, Mary has obtained from God the favor of being made known
• God wishes to be glorified and praised by those who devoted themselves to Him through Mary
• Mary must be known and acknowledged so that Jesus may be known and acknowledged
• As Mary is the way by which Jesus first came to us, she will again be the way by which Jesus will again come to us, though not in the same manner
• Mary must be better known for the deeper understanding and the greater glory of the Blessed Trinity
• In the latter times, or end times, Mary is to shine forth: in mercy, to bring back sinners to God and the Church; in power, to combat the enemies of Christ; in grace, to inspire and support Christ's soldiers
• Mary must become as terrible as an army in battle array to the Evil One and his followers, especially in the end times [True Devotion, #50-54]

What are the latter times or end times? In his very scholarly book, "The End Will Not Be At Once", author Fr. Herman Hendrickx helps give an idea of what the end times will be through his study of Mark 13:1-4 and Luke 21:5-36. These two passages recount what Jesus told his disciples about the end. Although the scriptural texts may appear frightening since it speaks not only of a world disaster but also involving cataclysm in the cosmos, according to bible scholars, we must also see the context of all these in its connection to the second coming of Jesus - when the redemption of all Christians comes near and all will be called to stand with confidence before Christ.
Devotion to Mary is necessary in the latter times It is in view of these end times that St. Louis-Marie de Montfort concludes that devotion to Mary is especially necessary. According to him, those devoting themselves to Mary in the end times will then have recourse to her as their advocate and mediatrix before Jesus. She will be the "safest, easiest, shortest, and most perfect way of approaching Jesus". St. Louis-Marie also foresees that those who will devote themselves to Mary in these end times will be the "true apostles of the latter times". The simplicity and self-sacrifice of Jesus will be reflected in the whole behavior of all who give themselves to Jesus through Mary in these latter times.
The latter times is a mystery When the latter times or end times will be is beyond all human capacity to know. St. Louis-Marie says that: "Only God knows. For our part we must yearn and wait for it in silence and in prayer." (True Devotion, #55-59). Related resources:

• Six Popular Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Books on Mary and a Documentary on the Nativity
• Method of Praying the Holy Rosary
• God Alone: The Collected Writings of St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort
• The Jerusalem Bible
• "The End Will Not Be At Once", by Herman Hendrickx

[From Catholic Internet Mission]

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