The Blessed Mother's Role in the "Latter Times"

The Role of the Virgin Mary in the "Latter Times

Introduction

One of the great contributions of St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort in Mariology (study on the Blessed Mother) is his writing about her role in "the latter times". A quote from his book, "The True Devotion to Mary", expresses well this role:

"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 gives the reasons in his book, "The True Devotion":

• 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?

Though St. Louis-Marie did not explain what he means by the "latter times", we can obtain what this can mean from the book, "The End Will Not Be At Once", by Fr. Herman Hendrickx. Fr. Hendrickx, a bible scholar, gives an idea of what the end times will be by 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, all those fearful details must be understood within the context of the second coming of Jesus - when the redemption of all Christians comes, and all will stand with confidence before Christ.

Devotion to Mary is necessary in the latter times


It is in view of these end times where we will receive our redemption, that St. Louis-Marie de Montfort concludes that Mary's role is necessary. Devotees of Mary in the end times will 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 foresaw that those who 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 the end.

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).

Why did St. Louis-Marie mention the "latter times"?

One reason in relation to his spiritual intuition on the mystery of the Incarnation. He shares his spiritual insight by saying that, "as she [Mary] was the way by which Jesus first came to us (through the mystery of the Incarnation), she will again be the way by which He [Jesus] will come to us the second time though not in the same manner." This spiritual intuition of Montfort can help us see the importance of Marian devotion for our times.

Montfort lived during the years 1673-1716 A.D. in France. But even before the apparitions at Fatima, St. Louis-Marie says that Mary is "to bring back and welcome lovingly the poor sinners and wanderers who are to be converted and return to the Catholic Church". (True Devotion #50-6). "...For Satan, knowing that he has little time - even less now than ever - to destroy souls, intensifies his efforts and his onslaughts every day. (True Devotion #50-7).

Montfort foresees that the Evil One will "stir up savage persecutions and set treacherous snares for Mary's faithful servants and children in the end times. (True Devotion #50-7).

Montfort writes that it is necessary to make Mary known during the end times. For it is by her that Jesus will come to us a second time, though not in the same manner [as the first coming]. In the "latter times", "the humble Mary will always triumph over Satan, the proud one, and so great will be her victory that she will crush his head, the very seat of his pride." (True Devotion #54).

Related resources:

• Six Popular Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary


• Books on Mary and a Documentary on the Nativity, from
  Ignatius Press.com


• 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