The Apostolado de la Cruz, or the Crusade of the Cross, is a seminal work by Spanish mystic and theologian, Saint Louis de Montfort. Published in the 18th century, this spiritual guide continues to resonate among Catholics worldwide. In this article, we delve into the essence of this profound work, exploring its key themes and their relevance in contemporary Christian life.
Saint Louis de Montfort, known for his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his emphasis on total consecration to Jesus through Mary, composed the Apostolado de la Cruz as a practical manual for spiritual growth. The Tumor Crucis, or the Tornado of the Cross, as Montfort often referred to it, emphasizes the centrality of the Cross in Christian spirituality.
The Cross: A Path to Union with Christ
The Apostolado de la Cruz underscores that the Cross is not merely an instrument of torture, but a symbol of love and salvation. Montfort invites us to embrace the cross, not as a gloomy emblem of suffering, but as a means to union with Christ.
The cross is not only a historical fact or a piece of jewelry. It is a path, a way of life, a means to achieve heaven. Montfort teaches, "The Especially, the cross is a tree of light; those who cling to it find that the darker their night, the brighter their light."
The Joy of the Cross
Montfort shocks us with his assertion that one can find joy in the cross. He explains, "The cross is the avenue of love for those who are intimate with Christ to advance rapidly toward perfection."
Paradoxically, by embracing our cross, we share in Christ's sufferings and thus share in His glory. Montfort uses the image of a pearl fisher, who dives deep into the ocean to find pearls, to illustrate this truth. Just as pearl fishers endure pain and hardship, so too must we embrace our cross to find true treasure.
Mary and the Cross
Montfort's Mariology shines brightly in the Apostolado de la Cruz. He points out that Mary, more than any other creature, shared in Christ's pain and offered it to God. Therefore, she is the ideal model of Christian life.
Mary is not only our mother but also our sister, our guide, and our example. Just as she stood at the foot of the cross, so too must we remain faithful to Christ in our trials. Montfort instructs, "Let us then aim at being apostles of the cross, apostles of the sorrowful and immaculate Virgin, apostles of the Eternal Word."
Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary
The Apostolado de la Cruz introduces us to Montfort's unique spirituality of total consecration to Jesus through Mary. This practice, famous today as the Montfort Method, is aResponse to the modern need for a more profound and personal relationship with Christ.
Through this consecration, we are not only to give ourselves to God but also, like Mary, to give Him to others. As Montfort puts it, "Our aim is to make Jesus and Mary the center of all our thoughts, of all our affections, of all our actions."
The 'Slave' of Love
The spirituality of total consecration is not about external acts or mere promises but about a radical interior conversion. Montfort, following the example of Saint Bernard, compares this consecrated life to that of a slave.
This slavery, however, is not burdensome but liberating. It is the slavery of love, where we renounce our will to embrace God's. Montfort explains, "To be a slave of love is to be free, to live with Jesus, to die with Jesus, to reign with Jesus."
The Apostolate of Love
The Apostolado de la Cruz culminates with a call to apostleship. Montfort reminds us that our consecration is not an end in itself but the beginning of a new and greater mission.
Just as Mary was gifted with grace so that she could generate Christ and present Him to the world, so too are we gifted with the grace of consecration to generate and present Christ to others. Montfort sums it up masterfully, "To live and work for God is the only true way to save oneself, to save one's neighbor, and to save one's soul."
In our fast-paced, secular world, the Apostolado de la Cruz invites us to pause, to look at the Cross, and to ask ourselves, are we ready to embrace our cross and follow Jesus?