Episode 2458: The Necessity of Humility and Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints in heaven, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen”
The Necessity of Humility and Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Welcome to today's episode where we will explore two powerful truths: the necessity of humility and the importance of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Drawing from the words of St. John the Baptist and St. Louis de Montfort, we will dive into how these teachings guide us toward spiritual growth and ultimate union with God. From a traditional Catholic perspective, we will see how humility and devotion to Our Lady are not optional extras in the spiritual life but essential components for those who seek to follow Christ more perfectly.
Let us begin with a prayer, asking for the grace to live out these teachings in our daily lives.
The Call to Humility
St. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, exemplifies the true meaning of humility. In the Gospel of John, he famously says:
"He must increase; I must decrease." (John 3:30)
This statement captures the essence of the Christian life. St. John the Baptist, who was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb, knew that his mission was to point others to Christ. His entire life was focused on preparing the way for the Lord, but when the time came, he stepped back, allowing Christ to take center stage. This is the humility to which all Christians are called.
The traditional Catholic understanding of humility is that it is not merely thinking less of oneself but rather seeing oneself in the proper light before God. Humility is truth. St. Thomas Aquinas defines humility as the virtue by which a person recognizes their total dependence on God and their own limitations without despair or self-deprecation. It is the foundation of all other virtues, for without humility, we cannot truly love God or our neighbor.
St. Augustine said:
"It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels."
Humility allows us to let go of our self-centeredness and pride, making room for God to work in our lives. Just as St. John the Baptist decreased so that Christ might increase, we too must decrease our attachment to worldly ambitions and self-will, allowing Christ to reign more fully in our hearts.

The Necessity of Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Louis de Montfort, one of the greatest advocates of Marian devotion, emphasizes that devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is not just an option in the spiritual life but a necessity:
"In the second place we must conclude that, the most holy Virgin being necessary to God by a necessity which we call 'hypothetical,' in consequence of His will, she is far more necessary to men, in order that they may attain their last end. We must not confuse devotion to the Blessed Virgin with devotions to the other saints, as if devotion to her were not far more necessary than devotion to them, and as if devotion to her were a matter of supererogation."
What does this mean? St. Louis de Montfort is teaching that Our Lady holds a unique place in God’s plan of salvation. By God’s own will, Mary is indispensable in the economy of grace. God chose her to be the Mother of His Son, and in doing so, He also chose her to be the Mediatrix of all graces. Devotion to Mary is not just another devotion among many; it is the key to growing closer to Jesus Christ.
In traditional Catholic teaching, this is rooted in the understanding of Mary’s role in salvation history. From the moment of the Annunciation, when she said “yes” to God’s plan, Mary became the new Eve, the one through whom the Savior would come into the world. As Eve brought sin into the world through her disobedience, Mary brought salvation through her obedience. Thus, devotion to her is essential for every Christian who seeks to follow Christ.
St. Louis de Montfort goes on to explain in his famous work, True Devotion to Mary, that consecration to Jesus through Mary is the surest and fastest way to grow in holiness. He writes:
"The more one is consecrated to Mary, the more one is consecrated to Jesus."
This consecration is not about giving Mary honor that belongs to God alone but about allowing her to lead us more perfectly to her Son. Mary, who was sinless and full of grace, shows us the way to Jesus. She helps us to overcome our weaknesses, to grow in virtue, and to remain faithful to God’s will.
In the words of St. Maximilian Kolbe:
"Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did."
Devotion to Mary is necessary because, through her, we come to know and love Jesus more fully. She is our mother, our guide, and our intercessor, always leading us closer to the heart of Christ.
The Spiritual Power of Marian Devotion
The spiritual power of Marian devotion lies in her unique relationship with God and her profound humility. Mary is the perfect model of the humble soul, who, like St. John the Baptist, said, “He must increase; I must decrease.” When we entrust ourselves to her, we are imitating this humility, acknowledging that we need help to live out our Christian vocation.
John Paul II, who had a deep Marian devotion, said:
"To be devoted to Mary is to recognize her special place in God's plan and to follow her example of faith and humility. Mary leads us to Christ, teaches us to know Christ, and helps us to find life in Christ."
In this sense, devotion to Mary is a profound act of humility. It is a recognition that we cannot achieve holiness on our own, but we need the assistance of the one whom God has chosen as our spiritual mother. By turning to Mary, we are turning to God’s will for us, asking for her intercession to help us grow in holiness and fulfill our mission on earth.
This humility and Marian devotion naturally lead us to greater trust in God and a more profound union with Christ. The more we entrust ourselves to Mary, the more we allow Christ to increase in our lives.
Conclusion:
In this episode, we have reflected on the powerful teachings of St. John the Baptist and St. Louis de Montfort, highlighting the necessity of humility and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. From a traditional Catholic perspective, these are not just admirable virtues or optional devotions but essential aspects of the spiritual life that lead us closer to Christ.
As we strive to decrease so that Christ may increase, let us also embrace devotion to Mary, knowing that she will lead us safely and surely to her Son. In humility and love, let us entrust ourselves to her care and guidance, confident that she will help us grow in holiness and attain the ultimate goal of union with God.
Closing Prayer:
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, we entrust ourselves to your care. Help us to grow in humility, following the example of St. John the Baptist, and to always seek to glorify your Son, Jesus Christ. Guide us on the path of holiness, and intercede for us, that we may one day share in the joy of heaven with you and all the saints. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.