October 16 was the 104th Anniversary of the Founding of the Militia Immaculata!
But what does that even mean?
I am going to let St. Maximilian explain that to us. Then at the end of this blog I will explain what it means to me. Please stay with me here...!
Permitting Her to Act In and Through Us
From The Writings of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe
The Immaculata: there is our ideal.
To approach her, become like her, permit her to take possession of our heart and all our self, that she may live and act in and through us, that she may love God with our heart, that we may belong to her without any restriction: this is our ideal.
To radiate in the surroundings, conquer souls for her in a way that, before her, the hearts of our neighbors may be opened so that she may extend her dominion in the hearts of all those who live in any corner of the earth, without regard for racial, national, linguistic differences, and similarly in the hearts of all those who will live in any moment of history till the end of the world: this is our ideal.
Besides, may her life be ever more rooted in us from day to day, from one hour to another, from one moment to another, and this without any limitation: this is our ideal.
Again, may her life develop in the same way in every soul that exists and will exist in any time: this is our cherished ideal. (KW 1210)
"Let our hearts be awakened to a new fervor to continue working together to conquer all people who live on the face of the earth for Christ through the Immaculata!" St. Maximilian Kolbe
From The Militia Immaculata
Holy Spirit of Truth and Love, I thank You for having inspired St. Maximilian Kolbe to start the Militia of the Immaculata movement in our time to be an instrument of Our Lady’s maternal presence for the transformation of the world according to the Gospel. Lead me and all MI members to be firmly rooted in the Lord through prayer and the sacraments, to be totally consecrated to the Immaculata and to persevere in striving for holiness following her invitation, “Do whatever He tells you.”
With Your grace and her guidance, make us willing to witness to the Truth and sacrificial love, with the humble boldness of St. Maximilian. Give us courage to speak up for the sacredness of the life of every human being, for the family according to God’s plan, for religious freedom, and for all that can lead each person to eternal life in Heaven. Inspire us to make Our Lady known and loved that she may win each soul for her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ who, with You and the Heavenly Father, is God for ever and ever. Amen.
I know this blog post is long. I know that these are not my own words.
Yet, these are the words that speak to my heart.
I cannot keep from sharing this powerful and beautiful message.
I desire to share this invitation and pray you feel a desire within you as well.
Our Blessed Mother is quoted, "Do whatever He tells you."
There is no better way to Jesus than through Mary.
Mary has taught me how to trust.
I am still learning but I am learning from no one better than the Queen Mother herself!
Jesus, I trust in you!
I ask for the grace to grow closer to her Immaculate Heart and for the grace to be ever close to His most Sacred Heart.
Immaculata, pray for us! St. Maximilian, pray for us!
And on this feast day of St. Luke, the physician, I pray for healing in each of our hearts.
I pray for the grace to accept and to receive this gift.
As we celebrate this anniversary, the story of Queen Esther might provide inspiration! Enjoy reading this short book of the Old testament. In chapter 4, Mordecai tells Esther:
Thinking about "our time," perhaps... it was
for a time like this" that the Holy Spirit inspired St. Maximilian to start the Militia of the Immaculata! Let's pray for one another to be the max wherever we are...!
for a time like this" that the Holy Spirit inspired St. Maximilian to start the Militia of the Immaculata! Let's pray for one another to be the max wherever we are...!
There is no better time than now.
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