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Born on January 31, 1673, in France, Louis-Marie Grignion led a life devoted to the priesthood and prayer. As a child, he was firmly devoted to prayer, and when he entered the Jesuit college at Rennes at 12 years old, he never failed to attend Mass before and after class.
While traveling on foot to Paris to follow a course in theology at the age of 19, Louis-Marie gave away all his money to the poor and vowed to survive from then on only from alms.
After his ordination in 1700, Louis-Marie became a chaplain at a hospital at Poitiers, where he organized a group of women into the Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Wisdom.
It wasn’t until 1705 when he found his true vocation, and devoted himself to preaching. For over 17 years, he preached the Gospel in numerous towns and villages. Louis-Marie’s life was centered around constant prayer and love of the poor.
In an effort to spread devotion to the Most Blessed Virgin, Louis-Marie founded what is known today as Montfort Fathers. This group preaches the Word and spreads devotion to Mary.
Louis-Marie Grignion died in 1716 and was canonized in 1947 by Pope Pius XII.
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