Montfort-sur-Meu

St. Louis de Montfort was born on January 31, 1673, in Montfort-sur-Meu, a small town near Rennes in the region of Brittany, France.

His Baptism
He was baptized on the day after his birth, February 1, 1673, in the parish church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Montfort-sur-Meu.

Adoption of the Name “de Montfort”
His birth name was Louis-Marie Grignion.

Later in life, particularly after entering the priesthood, he adopted the name “de Montfort” from his hometown: Montfort-sur-Meu.

This name became symbolic of his deep humility and connection to his roots, emphasizing poverty, simplicity, and missionary zeal. It was a way of honoring his humble origins.

Significance of the Town and Name
Montfort literally means “strong hill” or “fortified hill” in French. Spiritually, this can be interpreted as symbolizing strength in faith or a fortress of devotion, themes very much aligned with his writings and mission.

By using “de Montfort,” he signaled his detachment from worldly nobility (he was not of noble birth) and aligned himself with spiritual strength and missionary identity.