Skip to main content

Consecrations: Kolbe and Montfort

Kolbe and Montfort on Consecration

– Answered by Father Johann Roten, S.M.

Q: Is there a difference in consecration for Maximilian Kolbe and Grignion de Montfort?

A: The difference in consecration between de Montfort and Kolbe lies in the modality and not in essence. De Montfort invites us to do everything "with Mary, in Mary, through Mary, and for Mary." We should abandon ourselves to her without reservation, since Mary was chosen to realize "the admirable exchange" by which God became man in order to communicate his divinity to us. We should go back to God through Mary because he came to us through her. Kolbe stresses a constant syntony (communication, sharing) with Mary. We ought to be on familiar terms with her, recall her constantly, let oneself be guided by her, pronounce her name, carry on conversation with her, think about her frequently. If Montfort emphasizes the obligatory passage (Mary the door, the "neck," the bridge to God), Kolbe in turn offers personalist categories and makes Mary our partner and companion on our journey to God. Again, there is no essential difference. For both men, Mary is guide and companion on our spiritual journey, but for de Montfort she is more guide whereas for Kolbe she acts more as companion.

All About Mary includes a variety of content, much of which reflects the expertise, interpretations and opinions of the individual authors and not necessarily of the Marian Library or the University of Dayton. Please share feedback or suggestions with marianlibrary@udayton.edu.

CONTACT

Marian Library

Roesch Library
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 1390
937-229-4214
Website
Email

Study Mary

Study the theology and history of Mary at the University of Dayton.

Learn More

Keyword Search

Would you like to begin a new keyword search?

Get Started