As a Catholic I'm inclined to agree with a lot of these instincts. The idea of needing a mediator for Christ makes me deeply uncomfortable.

Much of this sounds like Sola Maria

I've always been Catholic, and I've always loved Mary, but I've always been very leery of the over the top Marian stuff, and I did not enjoy DeMontfort's works.

I consecrated myself to Mary last year using this book. I can say that the process and the aftermath have been not only that I have a much deeper appreciation for her role and love for her as my Mother, but most importantly, it brought me back to Christ, to reading scripture almost daily, to going to Adoration every week, to learning more about Church history, theology and why we believe what we believe, and especially, I fell profoundly in love with Christ Eucharist. Mary’s role is and always will be to bring us closer to her Son.

I lowkey want the "Well. That's quite the claim." from the beginning to be a meme

Wearing a Liverpool FC shirt does cause theological discombobulation😂😂

Ngl as a Catholic this felt a bit like when you write a rough draft for English class where you get a little experimental and risky, only to find out the next day you're being peer reviewed, and watch someone's face as they read through your essay that you were not that sure about, its not exactly analagous but it's the same feeling

Whew! Gospel Simplicity getting riled up! I like it!🤣🔥🔥

Austin: "Montfort goes too far!" Maximillian Kolbe: "Hold my beer." Love you brother, keep it up <3. Just make sure you are sitting down when you read Kolbe :) ;)

The OP in the video was being relatively charitable to the ones who defend the devotion, this is not like the low-church crazy types who attack with no visible charity but instead is actually bringing a point about odd language within the otherwise benign devotion.

Interestingly, even some traditional Catholics aren't huge fans of the way Montfort writes about Mary. I spoke to one who just flat out said, "You have to take Montfort as speaking hyperbolically, because strictly speaking, some of what he says isnt true."

Good video! I share your concerns. As a Protestant, I have often complained about the low Mariology of my fellow Protestants, but I find this kind of Mariology even stranger.

I understand that theology develops. I understand that understanding deepens. Nevertheless, such a big emphasis on Mary seems so foreign to the New Testament. If we are supposed to come to Christ through Mary, it is interesting that this theme practically does not arise at all in the New Testament. I understand that this is an argument from silence, but one would assume that Paul would mention Mary's name at least once in his letters. I find the idea that Mary personally asked not to be mentioned much in the NT very... suspicious. Sorry, not buying it. :P

I am also troubled by how some have told of their experiences related to total consecration to Mary. It almost sounds like a Catholic version of Wesleyan entire sanctification, Pentecostal baptism of the spirit, or some second blessing theology. Except that the Holy Spirit has been replaced by Mary. The real Christian life begins when you are completely devoted to Mary. John Paul II's papal motto was "totus tuus": completely yours. But this meant completely Mary's.

I remember talking to a Catholic in IRL and it really bothered me how he said that just like in real life, sometimes it's easier to go to mom than dad. We should never be afraid to go to God. The idea that Mary is somehow seen as gentler than God himself comes to mind!

I want to emphasize that I am not anti-Catholic and I believe that we Protestants can also learn Mariology from our Catholic brothers and sisters. :)

I am no expert on de Montfort. I can only speak from my Catholic experience. In Catholic life, particularly in the Mass, the overwhelming focus is on Christ. In fact, the focus is so much on Christ, that only the most extreme excesses in popular Marian piety give me pause. Most Catholic devotion to Mary is of the most organic sort and appreciates her role in the life of Christ and not the other way around. Sometimes the "language of love" speaks in a hyperbole that if taken literally would cross all acceptable boundaries. Very few Catholics I know would cross these boundaries. And those who do tend to be the exception and not the rule.

Thank you as always for your fair and open minded discussion!

I am a Catholic Christian and consider myself faithful to Christ and His Church…

We must remember that this book is not a book about Theology.  It is a devotional book…

The official Church teachings on our Blessed Mother is in Lumen Gentium chapter 8.

Let us approach this book, Total Consecration, as just that: a devotional book…

I can say that as a Catholic I would agree that some of the language in the book is very grandiose.  And I would say 100% that our Blessed Mother would not want anything that would take away from her Son…

Things I will say:
1. One really cannot understand just how devotion to Mary will magnify their love of Jesus.  After I did my consecration, my love for Jesus became an all consuming fire of love for Him! And I have seen that happen to Protestants who have converted and began asking the Blessed Mother’s prayers.  
2. A Catholic knows that Mary is not divine in any way.  As St. Louis stated she is less than an atom compared to her Son.  But as you pointed out, some things are ‘proper’ (I think that is the word you used) and fitting that Mary has received such a special role in Heaven….
3.  I would also ask, if you would, to look at the official Church approved apparitions and other miracles that God has done to confirm that He has sent her from Heaven.  

Remember, this is a book about devotion, not theology.  When we love someone so deeply, we can make such loving poetry that tries to sing out that love, and sometimes that can sound overboard.  But if speaking of Theology and what the Church actually teaches, then we look to the authoritative documents of the Church, not books on devotion.  Thanks and God bless you!

This is a good example of why no personal devotion not only (1) can never even be considered infallible but (2) has no ordinary magisterial authority- is not, EVEN if it so claims, essential to salvation.   The only infallible teaching on Mary's central role in the order of Grace, in Latin, God's chosen "mediatrix" of Grace, is her definition as Theotokos in the Council of Ephesus.   Each Catholic has the freedom to have their love of Mary supported by personal devotions - which are numerous and reflect both different eras and cultures.  And the freedom to reject potentially problematic positions, couched in such floral language that one finds in personal writings such as those by de Montfort - finding those to be excessive, and not helpful in their personal spiritual life.

I’m a big rosary and St. Louis guy, but you have to understand the hyperbolic times in which he lived.

What helped me understand Mariology during my conversion was understanding the blessed Virgin Mary as symbolic of the church. Catholics have always taught that she is the symbol of the church most easily understood in Revelations 12. When you see these claims through that lens things make sense. “You can’t come to Christ without Mary” simply implies that it’s through the Church that we experience Jesus. Mary being the dispenser of grace iludes to the sacraments as graced dispensed by the church through Gods power of course. Everything done is through Gods power of course just as he maintains life through every second. Also realizing that much of this language is quite romantic and hard for us to grasp in our lack of romanticism in modern times. Once you start viewing her as a symbol of the church you can them open your intellect up to the many other mysteries of the blessed Virgin that we find through meditative prayer through the writing of the saints and scriptures.

I am currently in OCIA and as a rule, if it isnt taught infallably then I stay away.  There is so much history, depth, and nuance that for any uninitiated it can be dangerous.  We all need to be discipled, we all need mentors.

I like the Dominican rosary and its history is neat. However, there are grave dangers in elevating any human, that includes the Theotokos, in a role that belongs to Christ alone.

@GospelSimplicity we would love to see you and @Gabiafterhours talk about Mama Maria ❤️ please 🙏🏼. Robert from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷