On June 5, 1700, Louis-Marie was ordained a priest. His desire was “to teach catechism to the poor of the countryside and to encourage youth to the devotion of the Blessed Virgin Mary”.

He was Chaplain of the General Hospital of Poitiers for 6 years. There he met Marie–Louise Trichet who took the religious habit on February 2, 1703 and became the first Daughter of Wisdom. He began to give some happiness to the 400 poor there, by going begging for food for them and by looking after the sick.

But in 1706, to put an end to the quarrels and jealousies, he left the hospital and went to Rome to visit Pope Clement XI, who said: “In France you have a large field for apostolate; teach with strength the Christian doctrine to the people and the children, make the renewal of the vows of baptism, and always work in perfect submission to the Bishops”. He received from the Pope a crucifix and the title of “Apostolic Missionary”.

Father de Montfort went about preaching missions and retreats for 10 years in western France: Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Vendee, Aunis and Charente.

Throughout his missionary life, he lived intensely united to Jesus and Mary, and his missions were a great success. He had an easy way with words, and the art of making his preaching practical and adapted to the people, the gift of touching hearts. He closed his missions by building a big Calvary in memory of the Lord’s love.

The most famous is Pontchâteau, in Loire-Atlantic, which is even today a place of pilgrimage.

Montfort ensured the desire to perpetuate the results of the missions, through the establishment of confraternities, charitable schools…