More on the Spirit and the Bride by John W
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February 2020 ISSUE 40 The Mission of the IE-Publicationmmaculata of the Militia of the Immaculata, USA "Aim Higher! Put out into the Deep!" "- PAGE 3 Kolbe, the Missionary - PAGE 6 About MI Villages - PAGE 7 Illustration by Geoffrey Butz More on the Spirit and the Bride By John W. Galten, MI National President Dear Knights of the Immaculata, Maria! We proceed on our journey to understand the work of the Spirit and of His spouse—the Immaculata. With the beginning of the Gospels and the twin reve- lations of the Incarnation of the Word, who is filled with the fullness of the Spir- it, and the veritable explosion of Spirit-filled actions, we see the dynamic of the “The goal of the MI (the Spirit moving to reveal ever more clearly the work and Person of the Son. The Spirit now animates all around Him to manifest the mission of the Savior, but abbreviation comes from the at the same time revealing Himself as the Spirit bringing the world to recognize Latin Militia Immaculatae, the utterly shattering event that Jesus represents. Remember, at the same time, the Immaculate Mother gave Him the very flesh which could reveal the Father: or Militia of the Immaculata) “to have seen me is to have seen the Father.” is, in fact, to make sure that St. John the Baptist, his own conception a miraculous event, is anointed to be the last and greatest of the prophets and the Precursor to the Christ (who all become saints. In all this is the anointed One). He announces that this Jesus “will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Mt 3:11). As Jesus is baptized by St. John: “behold, activity, what strikes the eye the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, most of all is its Marian thrust. and alighting on him, and behold a voice came from heaven saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’” (Mt 3: 16-17). The very nature of This is a consequence of a God is revealed as Trinitarian love and the Spirit of that love is coming down precise understanding of the upon Jesus. The Son can gift the Holy Spirit because He has the Spirit to give. As the Gospel account on the life of Jesus continues, the Holy Spirit moves mission of the Immaculata.” Simeon in the Temple to announce that the Savior, the glory of Israel, and rev- (continues on pg. 2) (KW 1220) THE MISSION OF THE IMMACULATA - ISSUE 40 © Militia of the Immaculata 1 Invite Friends to be Editorial enabling us to witness to this gift in the New Evangelization called for by Our (continued from pg. 1) consecrated to Our Lady! Mother, the Church, and by Our Bless- elation to the Gentiles, has arrived and ed Lady, the Spouse of the Holy Spirit begins the work of salvation so long and Mother of that same Church. hoped and longed for. Simeon adds Dear Knights, make some time this to Mary that she has an indispensable month to ponder what has been effect- and crucial role in this salvific plan, ed in our Catholic life, that is, how the that is, that her sufferings united with infinite love of God in the form of the His should be the paradigm of all re- Spirit has been poured into our hearts demptive suffering, down to and in- from the wounded side of the Most Sa- cluding our own. Here, I think, we see cred Heart of Jesus. And hopefully we the invitation to St. Maximilian, the can realize with Elizabeth the full mag- red crown of martyrdom offered to nitude of the gift: “Elizabeth was filled him by the Immaculata, bound up in with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed Behold Your Mother: Simeon’s words to Mary. He, like her, with the loud cry, ‘Why is it granted to The Path to Total Consecration “pondered” these things in his heart as me that the Mother of my Lord should to Our Lady in the Spirit of she did, wondering as she did how this come to me?'” (Lk 1:41-43). Such is the St. Maximilian Kolbe would be accomplished. meaning of our Total Consecration. As Jesus is about to begin his pub- Dear Knights of the Immaculata, This beautiful 56-page book- lic ministry, we see the Holy Spirit until next month, “Let us arise and be let may be used individually or as a move Him to go into the desert to con- on our way!” group activity (in a parish setting, front Satan—the murderer of souls, for example), or as a series of classes the enemy of Man and God: “and Je- John W. Galten led by a facilitator, or during a day of sus, full of the Spirit, returned from MI National President preparation for MI consecration to the Jordan and was led by the Spirit” Our Lady. If you can offer a series of (Lk 4:1). In His own power, endowed P.S. Please, let others know about our meetings, you can read each chapter with the guidance and strength of the monthly MI e-newsletter and the daily with the group and invite the partic- Spirit, Jesus defeats Satan and resists Kolbe emails and invite them to sign up ipants to reflect and comment on it. his temptations. The crushing of the on the MI website. Alternatively, you can invite them serpent’s head has begun. to read each chapter beforehand Does not this work of the Spirit re- and come together for discussion. veal to us, His Church, how the Spirit Many people have expressed works in our lives? After all, we possess the desire to promote total con- the same Spirit as does the Christ. Let secration to Mary in their parish us pause and give ourselves a chance and local area. The Path to Total to think about a few things. Are we Consecration offers you an effec- led by the Spirit? Do we act in concert tive tool for making that possible! with the Spirit to defeat the Devil and Daily Holy Mass sin? Are we docile to the prompting of will be offered throughout 2020 for The suggested donation for the Spirit? Are we not by grace Tem- the MI-USA and all MI Members multiple copies of the new book- ples of the Holy Spirit? Do we not have at the City of the Immaculata let is $2.00/ea. plus shipping; for to “ponder” more often in prayer the established by St. Maximilian Kolbe a single copy, the suggested do- extraordinary gift of the Divine In- near Warsaw, in Poland. nation is $3.75 shipping included. dwelling of the Trinity initiated by our Send your prayer intentions to be placed Baptism and bountifully increased by in the MI Book of Intentions at the feet of Order copies today from the all the Sacraments?! Our Lady and MI National Office: [email protected] Too often we do not judge right- St. Maximilian Kolbe’s first class relic: ly the magnificent power and gifts Or call: [email protected] poured into us to live our Christian life 331-223-5564 THE MISSION OF THE IMMACULATA - ISSUE 40 © Militia of the Immaculata 2 This ended up being the case, but not in the way I had anticipated. I had noticed at various points along the way that my car was acting strangely, but I had brushed it off. Eventually, though, when I was well on the way through Indiana, my car started to shake and I smelled burning oil. That was the breaking point. I remember feeling so helpless; here I was pulled over on the side of a busy freeway in a different "Aim Higher! Put out into the Deep!" state with cars zooming by, going on Young Adult MI Retreat Testimonials with their lives as if my tragedy didn't matter. What was worse, I did not know “We learn to surrender ourselves This question was put before us: the right numbers to call for roadside into Our Lady’s hands as docile "What is God asking you to say 'fiat' assistance. But then the hand of God children.” to in 2020?" After hearing the story came through. Within two minutes, a I am so grateful for the opportunity of Venerable Satoko Kitahara, I am police officer arrived to help me. He to participate in the MI Young Adult moved to make a greater gift of myself directed me to a dealership nearby to Retreat at the end of December. In in 2020 by extending friendship to get my car assessed. the busyness of life and my work as a those I am not inclined to. I went to the dealership, and after youth minister I had been longing for waiting quite some time, my hopes a time and space to step away from Ad Jesum per Mariam! were crushed to be informed that everything and just have some quiet Jared Rutnick, Seminarian my car "was leaking oil like a sieve," prayer time with the Lord, moments Diocese of Joliet (looking back, I think this was an for journaling and reflection, and a exaggeration). Worse yet, it was a time to be spiritually nourished and +++ Friday and they were closing in 20 cared for myself without having to minutes. Plus, they would have to wait worry about planning things or being Before coming to the MI Young for a part to come in. I began to feel in charge.