Montfort School Ranirkhamar, Agartala
St. Louis Marie De Montfort was born in Montfort, Western France, on January 31st, 1673, to Mr. Jean Baptiste and Mrs. Jeanne Robert.
After completing his studies at St. Sulpice Seminary in Paris, he was ordained as a priest in the year 1700. Montfort, as a missionary, spent a significant amount of time among the impoverished. His heart went out to the marginalized, the sick, the uneducated, the disabled, and all those whom society tended to overlook.
Montfort possessed a complex character; occasionally he displayed moments of intensity, yet he was consistently kind and compassionate. Despite his perpetual activity, he managed to carve out time for extended periods of contemplation and prayer. In the face of persecution and disdain, he never voiced complaints. He remained acutely aware of his limitations, yet he excelled in nearly every endeavor he pursued, including writing, carving, drawing, preaching, organizing, and guiding people toward God.
He never compromised when it came to wholeheartedly following the Gospel, embracing its entirety rather than selective parts. He possessed a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of the cross and resurrection. Furthermore, he held a clear appreciation of Mary’s role in the life of the Church. His literary works have since become enduring Catholic classics, exerting a significant influence on many, including several Popes, such as Pope Leo XIII, Pope Pius X, Pope Pius XII, and Pope John Paul II.
For those who shared his visionary spirit, he established three religious congregations: the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel (Montfort Brothers), the Company of Mary (Montfort Fathers), and the Daughters of Wisdom (Montfort Sisters). These congregations, now spanning all five continents, continue to walk in his footsteps, dedicated to spreading the good news among the people.
After sixteen years of dedicated ministry, he succumbed to exhaustion at the age of 43, passing away on April 28th, 1716, in Saint-Laurent-sur-Serve, France.