Mary comes to dwell in the soul 

"This devotion [giving oneself entirely to Mary and through her to Jesus] if fervently practised produces wonderful effects in the soul. 

The principal effect is that Mary comes to dwell in the soul so that it is no longer the soul which lives, but Mary who lives in it and becomes, so to speak, the soul of the soul.  

And what wonders will not Mary perform when by a truly ineffable grace she comes to reign as Queen in a soul?

She performs great wonders and she works especially in hearts, often unbeknown to the soul, because if the soul realised what was happening it would be in danger of losing, on account of vanity, all this beauty.

Mary is the fruitful Virgin, and in all the souls in which she comes to dwell she causes to flourish purity of heart and body, rightness of intention and abundance of good works. 

Do not imagine that Mary, the most fruitful of creatures who gave birth to a God, remains barren in a faithful soul. 

It will be she who makes the soul live incessantly for Jesus Christ, and will make Jesus live in the soul: 

‘My children, that I may give birth anew, that Christ may be formed in you’ (Cf. Gal 2:20). 

Just as Jesus, in coming into the world, willed to be the fruit of Mary’s womb, so he is for each soul; and in those in which Mary lives most freely it can best be seen how he is their fruit and masterpiece. (…)

Since God came into the world, the first time, in humility and secrecy through Mary, may we not be sure that through Mary he will come also the second time, to reign over all, as the Church expects, and to judge the living and the dead?

No one know how or when it will happen; but I know that God, whose plans stand higher above ours than do the heavens above the earth, will come at the time and in the way least suspected by men, including those who are most versed in Sacred Scripture, which remains obscure on this point. 

However I also believe that in the last days, and perhaps sooner than anyone thinks, God will raise up great men filled with the Holy Spirit and with the spirit of Mary, by means of whom the Divine Majesty will accomplish great wonders on the earth, destroying sin and establishing in this corrupt world the reign of Jesus Christ his Son." 

From The True and Perfect Devotion, by St Louis Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716). 

Prayer

Lord, give children and servants unto thy Mother: may they be free according to thy liberty, detached from everything; slaves to thy love and thy will, men according to thy Heart; true children of Mary thy holy Mother, begotten and conceived in her love. (St Louis Grignion de Montfort)

Prepared by the "Focolari Movement"