Day 7
True Devotion vs. False Devotion
Fr. Gaitley concludes the first week of preparation by helping us reflect on the authenticity of our devotion to Mary. Drawing from St. Louis de Montfort, he explains that not all Marian devotion is created equal. Some people may appear devout — praying many rosaries, wearing medals, saying beautiful words about Mary — but their hearts remain unchanged. This is what de Montfort calls false devotion.
True devotion, by contrast, is sincere, interior, and rooted in the desire to imitate Mary’s virtues. It is not about external signs or fleeting feelings, but about a deep love that leads us closer to Jesus. A truly Marian heart is humble, faithful, pure, and courageous — because it reflects Mary’s own response to God.
De Montfort warns of common pitfalls: hypocritical devotion (where our lives contradict our prayers), presumptuous devotion (where we expect grace without real conversion), and inconstant devotion (where we honor Mary only when it feels good). All of these fail to produce the fruit of holiness.
The goal of consecration is not sentiment, but transformation. If we give ourselves to Mary, she will shape us to live fully for Jesus. Today is a call to examine our hearts: Is my devotion to Mary changing my life? Am I becoming more like her — and more like Christ?
Let us ask Mary to purify our hearts, that our love for her may be real, deep, and life-giving.
