Founder
The Company of Mary was founded by Montfort. Montfort saw the need for a group of priests who would preach with a true apostolic spirit. This is reflected in his letter to Father Leschassier: '... Considering the needs of the Church, I cannot refrain from continuously pleading, with sighs, for a small and humble group of good priests who will carry out this mission under the banner and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary' (S.5).
From this letter, three important elements form the essential aspects of the Montfortian Society of Mary: community/society, apostolic/missionary spirit, and Marian devotion. These elements are outlined and explained in the book Montfortan Masa Kini (Montfortian to Day).
Missionary
Montfort desired that the Montfortians become 'missionaries' to continue Christ's mission, which He entrusted to His Church: 'They must be outstanding missionaries in Your Church...' (DM 3). They are called by God to carry out missionary work… (RIM 2).
Montfort desired that the Montfortians be 'missionaries' to continue Christ's mission, which He entrusted to His Church: 'They must be outstanding missionaries in Your Church...' (DM 3). They are called by God to carry out missionary work… (RIM 2).
The missionaries of the Montfortian Society of Mary proclaim Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, both through their witness of life and their words, in a world that demands much and only begins to believe when words are affirmed by example: 'These apostolic missionaries must first practice what they preach to others: coepit Jesus facere et docere' (Acts 1:1; RIM 62).
Serikat
The word 'Society' signifies that the members of the Company of Mary live a communal life; a life in togetherness. This community life is inseparable from preaching and apostolic mission.
To carry out missionary work, Montfort desired a community—that is, a group, a congregation, an assembly, a chosen team, a flock, a company, a battalion… (cf. DM 18)—rather than scattered or merely associated individuals.
A community that is united: 'O Lord, gather us together, unite us…' (DM 18).
A community that lives in love, which is 'the life, bond, and safeguard of the Society' (RIM 45), where everyone supports one another and shares a sense of mutual responsibility.
An orderly community: 'a well-disciplined and battle-ready army...' (DM 29).
A capable community, whose value is determined more by quality than by quantity: it is small, poor, insignificant, and weak in the eyes of the world, yet rich in God and set apart from the masses for the well-being of the Church (cf. AAS 2:7).
A poor community, where everything is shared among the missionaries, who have no benefices… without earthly possessions… free from any worldly goods that could hinder or tie them down… (cf. RIM 56).
... and completely entrusted to the Providence of the Father, who is responsible for providing them with clothing and food, as well as sustaining them (cf. AAS 4).
A community that is free, in accordance with God's freedom, where its members are 'detached from everything… without family ties… without worries or burdens…' (DM 7).
Abbreviation:
S: Surat-surat (Letters)
RIM: Regula Para Imam Misionaris Serikat Maria (Rule of the Missionary Priests of the Society of Mary)
RM: Rahasia Maria (The Secret of Mary)
DM: Doa yang Menggelora (Fiery Prayer)
AAS: Amanat Kepada Para Anggota Serikat Maria (Message to the Members of the Society of Mary)
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