October 2018 ISSUE 24

Blessed - PAGE 3

Let Our Lady Continue to Visit You ... - PAGE 4

“I Cannot Make It ...” - PAGE 6

Urgent Call to Prayer and Penance - II By John W. Galten, MI National President Dear Knights of the Immaculata,

Maria!

Last month, as you might remember, I called you as Knights of Our Lady to prayer and penance for the recent revelations of scandalous behavior on the part of members of the hierarchy and the equally serious matter of the conceal- “The goal of the MI (the ing and subsequent promotion of such persons. Also troubling is the letter of abbreviation comes from the Archbishop Viganò with personal testimony of who might be involved and al- legations that implicate the highest levels of the Church. These allegations must Latin , be taken seriously and examined as to their truth. Perhaps, we are getting an unveiling of what Paul VI referred to when he said, “The smoke of Satan or Militia of the Immaculata) has entered the Church.” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said even more precisely, is, in fact, to make sure that “and the smoke of Satan has entered the ‘Sanctuary’ of the Church.” Even if some of these allegations prove to be incorrect, we all must face all become . In all this the fact that the Church is entering a phase of intense battle and purification. activity, what strikes the eye Clearly, the bishops of the world in concert with the Vatican must sort out the solution. As Catholics and Knights of the Immaculata, however, we must do our most of all is its Marian thrust. part. That part, in my estimation, is to commit ourselves to prayer and penance. We must have the faith that these efforts have great heavenly power especially This is a consequence of a with the Queen of heaven and earth. This power moves the Trinity to send the precise understanding of the graces and strength throughout the Mystical Body of the Church to repair the damage of sin and to strengthen those who must direct action to remedy the mission of the Immaculata.” grievous wounds to the priesthood, the Church, and the victims. (continues on pg. 2) (KW 1220)

THE MISSION OF THE IMMACULATA - ISSUE 24 1 Editorial As a small aside—the last book of the New Testament as written by St. (cont. from pg. 1) details the pro- tracted battle between the Dragon and This direct action, as Christian ac- the “woman clothed with the Sun” tion, must be charitable, wise, appro- (Rev 12). Perhaps we should re-read priate and have the prospect of solv- this passage from the Bible but also ing the issue. We must keep in mind the sections of the books by modern the Lord’s response to the Apostles Christian writers, C. S. Lewis’ Chroni- John and James who wished to angri- cles of Narnia and J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord ly and precipitously punish sinners: of the Rings, pointing out the chief axis He reminded them that the wheat of history, the battle between good and and weeds must grow together lest the evil. We already know the outcome— wheat be torn out with the weeds. This Christ has overcome the Evil One. We, is not a recipe for falsely tolerating a the Church, and Our Queen, with the correctable evil, but rather a discern- power of God, must apply the final ment to approach the problem with a crushing of the head of infernal serpent. Which Prayer? cool head and surgical precision. This Until next month: is the goal of our prayer and penance. “Arise, let us be on our way.” Practically speaking, let us direct Among the most efficacious these spiritual actions to November’s John W. Galten prayers that may be offered meeting of the U.S. bishops and the National MI President in reparation, after the Holy world-wide synod of bishops called by *** for February 2019 to ad- Sacrifice of the Mass, are the dress the issue. Without doubt, this syn- following: od is where the critical battle will ensue. In what shall our knightly de- - Eucharistic Adoration meanor consist facing this critical situation? It is appropriate to feel the - The Holy distress of the profound crisis of mor- - The Stations of the Cross al failure and the threat to the integ- - The Chaplet of Divine Mercy rity of the Church. That being said, - Prayers for the Holy Souls in we must have trust and confidence Purgatory in God’s providence and the promise of Christ that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Holy Church. Let us humbly seek It is also a time to summon knight- the powerful intercession ly courage in the form of the virtue of the Immaculata, of fortitude in what surely is a battle. We must keep in front of our eyes the Send your Mother of the Church, evangelical goal of our total consecra- prayer intentions of St. , tion to the Immaculata: “to help ex- to be placed Priest and , and of tend as much as possible the blessed in the MI Book all the Angels and Saints. Kingdom of the Most of Intentions at the feet of Jesus.” We are involved in a battle, Let us recommit ourselves of Our Lady yes, but we must recognize this cur- to love the Church for rent situation as a diversionary attack and St. Maximilian Kolbe’s first of the enemy and not take our eyes off class relic: which the Lord Jesus Christ the real goal—the new evangelization. [email protected] shed His Precious Blood.

THE MISSION OF THE IMMACULATA - ISSUE 24 2 Blessed the lily of her . In her enormous effort to fight him off, she received -for ty-two stab wounds. She fell victorious on Veronica Antal the battlefield. The killer placed another A young lay woman from Romania sign of victory upon her shoulders: a cross was declared Blessed on September 22. made out of corn stalks. “Some villagers found her the fol- She was a member of the Militia of the lowing morning, bearing all the marks of Immaculata and a Secular Franciscan. her struggle, and everyone cried out: ‘The is dead!’ From then on, she was rec- ognized in the minds and hearts of every- one as Saint Veronica. “The dark days of Communism pre- Veronica Antal was a young girl who by the thousands, under the false accusa- vented any regular road to promoting exactly sixty years ago, in northern Ro- tion of hatred and subversion against the her fame of sanctity. However, help came mania, had the courage to give her life in social order. She visited the sick of her vil- from another , the great defense of her faith and the vow of chasti- lage, tending to their needs and consoling witness of faith, Friar Anton Demeter, a ty she secretly professed. Fr. Marco Tasca, those who were suffering. The source she Conventual Franciscan from the Province Minister general of the Conventual Fran- drew upon for this life did not come from of St. , Spouse of the B.V.M. in Ro- ciscan Friars writes: “This men, or from destitution, or persecution mania. Although his persecutors left him is even more beautiful because she was of the Faith, but rather, from the confined to a wheelchair, he continued to raised in the faith by our Conventual friars which she never failed to receive. Every carry out pastoral ministry for forty-sev- in Moldavia. They ministered at both the morning, at 4:00 a.m., she began walk- en years. During that time, he managed to parish of Nisiporeşti where she was born, ing in order to attend the 6:00 a.m. Mass keep Veronica’s memory alive among the and the parish of Hălăuceşti, in whose ter- Blessed Veronica Antal, people who had known her. He collected a ritory she was martyred. great deal of testimony about her and pre- “Veronica Antal was born on Decem- and martyr, sented her to the people as a model of faith ber 7, 1935, in the village of Nisiporeşti, is the first beatified and virtue. Many people, especially young the first of four children of Gheorghe and Romanian woman: people, have since visited her tomb, now Evei Antal. She was baptized the next day another for kept in the parish church of Nisiporeş- at the parish church of Hălăuceşti, run by ti [where the rite of beatification took our friars who have been present in that our times, blossomed within place].” area since the 13th century. After attend- the MI and nurtured by the Fr. Tasca concludes, “I like to think of ing the village school for four years, she Franciscan spirituality. this young saint as a little seedling that our stayed at home to help her parents doing friars have cultivated in the spiritual shade housework and working in the fields—as of our Seraphic Father St. Francis. She is was customary in those days. at the parish church of Hălăuceşti. She the fruit of their fraternal and apostolic la- “Around the age of sixteen or sev- traveled with a group of friends. Veroni- bors in Romania… Finally, I would like to enteen, she enrolled in both the Secular ca walked about fifteen kilometers [nine conclude by giving a nod of gratitude to Franciscan Order and the International miles] round-trip, with the sole desire of the many witnesses of the Faith, and of the Association of the Militia of the Immacu- communicating with her divine Spouse. Franciscan vocation, that the Romanian lata. In a short time, she became a fervent Only after having refreshed herself with Province has given to the Church and our promoter of the spirituality of the Poverel- Jesus would she return and enthusiastical- Order. Among them are Friar Iosif Petru lo of , as well as devotion of the Im- ly resume her prayers and her visits to the Maria Pal, one of the co-founders of the maculata. She also wanted to consecrate poorest of her town. She began and ended Militia of the Immaculata; the Servant of herself to the Lord [as a religious], but this every day with Him. God Friar Martin Benedict, a celebrated would not be possible for her, because at “The day of her supreme trial came on physician and a friar of holy life; and the that time, all the religious orders in Roma- August 24, 1958. She was returning from Servant of God, Friar Anton Demeter. nia had been suppressed by the Commu- Mass with the rosary in her right hand, Let the Lord be praised and honored for nist regime. She decided to offer herself to when she took a shortcut through some all these true witnesses of the Gospel, and the Lord by making a private vow of chas- fields in the hope of getting home soon- may their intercession and example of life tity. She would pray for hours, especially er. She had walked about halfway when a inspire even greater desire for holiness for bishops, priests, our friars and the , young man from the village, his passions among the Friars Minor Conventual,” and whom the regime had already imprisoned inflamed, attacked her, intending to steal all the members of the MI!

THE MISSION OF THE IMMACULATA - ISSUE 24 3 manently in your soul? Do you desire that by which we can introduce her to people Let Our Lady she, she alone, may direct your thoughts, we meet. take possession of all your heart? Do you Continue to Visit wish to live entirely for her? If you really Step Three: Set out in Haste desire all this, open your heart completely Many people today have a very hec- You and Others before her and give yourself to her without tic schedule as they brave the challenge of reserve and forever, even if only with the raising their children, working and per- through You! yearning of your soul. You may make use haps taking care of their elderly parents. of any formula, for example, of the act of They may find it difficult to carve out time consecration of the Militia of the Immacu- for a relaxing walk with friends as well lata. Have you ever thought what becomes as for prayer and spiritual growth. Some of you when it is no longer you who acts, people are homebound because of age or but she herself who loves God and men in illness. St. Maximilian invites us to be cre- you and through you? Are you aware of ative in finding new ways for reaching out the fact that, in such a case, your actions to others. For a start, consider some sim- are measured in proportion to her digni- ple paths you may explore to set out on a ty? That in her hands they become pure, mission in your own area: without blemish, just as she is entirely Look at each person as Our Lady pure and immaculate?… Could you desire would: as a beloved child of God. At anything more?” (St. Maximilian Kolbe - home, at work, in the store, on the road… Our times elicit an urgent call to be KW 1216) we meet people all the time, everywhere. consecrated to Mary and to allow her to A friendly greeting, a smile and a simple bring Christ to all people. Our Lady wants Step One: Open Your Heart and Give act of kindness can bring a ray of God’s to continue “go in haste to visit” her chil- Yourself to Her presence in their lives. Take the time to dren wherever they may find themselves From the Cross on Calvary, Jesus acknowledge and love Christ in every per- to draw them closer to the Most Sacred Himself called His Mother to become our son He places in your life, as Our Blessed Heart of Jesus, our Lord. She invites each Mother and invited each of us to receive Mother does. Let yourself be surprised be of us to become visible signs and instru- her as our own Mother, when He said to the providential encounters you may ex- ments of her presence, everywhere and in her, “Woman, behold your son,” and to perience, which sometimes may turn into every stage of life. the Apostle John, “Behold your mother” opportunities for giving witness to the In the Gospel of St. Luke we find the (Jn 19:25-27). We become her children at Faith. account of Mary’s visitation to her relative , as we are given the new life of Reach out to family and friends for Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-56). After the Annun- grace in Christ and become members of “a get-together with Mary”: in the famil- ciation, Mary “went in haste” to the house His Body, the Church. Through consecra- iar setting of your living room or back of Zechariah and Elizabeth to assist her tion to her, as taught by many saints, in- yard, host a gathering during which you who was pregnant with John the Bap- cluding St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, come together to enjoy each other’s com- tist. By her very presence, Mary, who was St. John Paul II and St. Maximilian Kolbe, pany and to pray the Rosary, or at least a pregnant with Jesus, brought divine grace we embrace the gift we have received from decade, for your families, the Church and to both Elizabeth and her unborn child. Jesus and take her into our lives intention- the world. If possible, make it a regular Ever since, Our Lady has continued tire- ally and completely, so as to journey with simple event, and encourage your guests lessly to go in haste to visit her children so her toward our eternal destiny and to give to invite others. Get the children involved as to bring Her Divine Son into their lives! authentic witness to the Faith in the world. in praying the Rosary! When appropriate, She wants to do so today, in our lives and You may do so by joining the Militia of the speak about consecration to Our Lady. through each of us. How? St. Maximilian Immaculata (MI), founded by St. Maxi- Request brochures from the MI National Kolbe has this to say: milian Kolbe. If you are not an MI mem- Office and have them readily available for “Nearly two thousand years have ber yet, for more information please visit everyone. passed since the day when the Immaculate our website MissionImmaculata.com. Invite your friends to “a walk with Virgin paid her visit to Elizabeth, her rela- Mary” at a nearby park! Start your stroll tive. Actually, the Holy Mother’s visits have Step Two: Share the Gift with Others with a decade of the Rosary preceded by continued up to this very day and occur Once we experience the powerful ef- a reflection from the Writings of St. Max- for every soul, much more often than the fect of Our Lady’s presence in our lives, we imilian Kolbe and maybe close it with a soul may imagine. Each grace, without ex- want to pass it on! St. Maximilian urges us snack. Be ready to share about your en- ception, is the coming of the of to share the gift by example, words and ac- counter with Our Lady and let her lead all graces. Do you want her to come often tions. One of the simplest yet most effec- your conversation…! to visit you? Do you want her to dwell per- tive ways is through the (continues on pg. 7)

THE MISSION OF THE IMMACULATA - ISSUE 24 4 Reflection on O Immaculata please intercede that prayer may be the source MI Local News October of unity and mission in the MI Annual MI Men’s Retreat and the whole Church. MI Intention in Malvern, Pennsylvania Now to Him who is able to accomplish far us pray, then, in union of spirit and in or- A Man for All Seasons more than all we ask or imagine, der to be united in our common ideal and by the power at work within us, mission. to Him be glory in the church Let us reflect often on St. Maximil- and in Christ Jesus to all generations, ian’s inspiring words, addressed anew to forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21) each of us: “Prayer is a means that people CARDINAL do not know about, and yet it is the most RAYMOND BURKE TO LEAD Do you give adequate attention to effective way to restore peace in the soul, 2018 KNIGHTS RETREAT prayer as MI groups? Certainly, we all to give them happiness, because it serves He is known and beloved the world over for being a “straight This year’s Heshooter.” is Aknown “man’s man.” Aand fearless beloved defender of the truthsthe of world our Faith … over fortheme: being a pray, and possibly with some regularity. to bring them closer to God’s love. Prayer and at considerable personal cost. “straightThat man, Cardinal shooter.” Raymond Burke, willA come“man’s from man.” to lead the A 36th fearless THE defender CALL However, we might be called to take a step revives the world. Prayer is the indispens- Annual MI Retreat at Malvern on November 16-18. It will be the first time in TO WITNESS ofMalvern’s the 107-yeartruths history of that our a cardinal Faith has directed … one and of its retreats.at considerable This year’s theme is “The Call to Witness.” further. Prayer changes people who pray. able condition for the regeneration and the personalWe expect another cost. overflow crowd. You may remember that last year we had to begin wait listing a full month out. If preliminary registrations are any indication, this year it could be even sooner. St. Maximilian says that “Prayer revives life of every soul… Let us pray, let us pray So, if you are able to join us, please register at the site below as quickly as possible. Know that we look Thatforward to havingman, you withCardinal us for what promisesRaymond to be a very specialBurke, retreat. will come from the world. Prayer is the indispensable con- well, pray much, both with our lips and in RomeWHO: Mid to Atlantic lead Knights the of the 36th Immaculate AnnualWHERE: MIMalvern Retreat Retreat House, at Malvern, Malvern Pa. 19355 WHAT: Men’s Weekend Retreat WHY: To prepare us to restore the family and dition for the regeneration and the life of ev- our thought, and we shall experience in onWHEN: November November 16-18, 201816-18. It will be the build afirst culture of time life in Mal- ery soul” (KW 903). How do my personal ourselves how the Immaculata will take vern’s (6:00 107-year pm Friday - 12:00 history pm Sunday) thatCOST: a cardinal $245 suggested has offering* directed one of its retreats.REGISTER @ malvernretreat.com/register/ life, the life of my MI Village, the life of increasing possession of our souls, how our For more information, call Brian J. Gail: (484) 318-8685. Registration questions: [email protected] or (267) 934-6127. the whole Movement, of the Church and belonging to her will deepen more and more This* 50% year’s off for first timerstheme at Malvern (appliesis “Theonly for those whoCall have never to attended Witness.” a men-only retreat at Malvern). of the world change through prayer? We in every respect, how our sins will vanish, We expect another overflow crowd. You may ought to ask ourselves this question, oth- and our flaws will weaken, how gently remember that last year we had to begin wait listing a full month out. If preliminary registrations are any erwise we may run the risk of separating and powerfully we will come ever closer to indication, this year it could be even sooner. our “spiritual” life from our daily existence God.... To the extent in which we burn more So, if you are able to join us, please register at the and the choices we make in what we call and more with divine love, we will kindle a site below as quickly as possible. Know that we look “real life.” The supernatural life is the real similar love even in others… May the Im- forward to having you with us for what promises to life! Prayer gives us the opportunity to test maculata hold you to her motherly heart in be a very special retreat. how true we are to our Catholic identity. If all your afflictions, temptations, and diffi- WHO: Mid Atlantic Knights of the in prayer we discern that our relationship culties, instill in each and every one of you Immaculate with God and others is maturing, our de- in particular, a great deal of peace, that in- WHAT: Men’s Weekend Retreat sire to build communion is growing, our ner peace of the soul utterly unfamiliar to apostolic action, simple as it may be, is an- the world. May she increase your courage, WHEN: November 16-18, 2018 imated by purity of intention and zeal, we so that none of you takes anything back (6:00 pm Friday - 12:00 pm Sunday) may say, Thank you, Lord, for our union from the offering placed in front of her in WHERE: Malvern Retreat House, with You in prayer allows us to bear fruit. the act of consecration, so that she herself Malvern, Pa. 19355 We are to check the quality of our may freely dispose of our whole life, death, WHY: To prepare us to restore the family prayer, that is, our dialogue with the Lord. and eternity and all the faculties of soul and and build a culture of life Prayer is to place ourselves humbly in the body, of our whole being. Yours, Br. Maxi- COST: $245 suggested offering* presence of the Lord, acknowledging that milian M. Kolbe” (KW 903) * 50% off for first timers at Malvern (applies only for without Him we can do nothing. (From the MI International Office) those who have never attended a men-only retreat at When we do recognize sincerely our Malvern). utter dependence on God, He accomplish- es far more than all we ask or imagine. We REGISTER at then witness the wonders that the Lord malvernretreat.com/register/ works for and through us, for He gives Himself always, with unmatched generos- For more information, call ity, when we truly surrender ourselves to Brian J. Gail: (484) 318-8685. Him, as Our Lady did. By her total surrender, she participat- Registration questions: [email protected] or (267) 934-6127 ed in a unique way in the grand Plan of God and became His first missionary. Let

THE MISSION OF THE IMMACULATA - ISSUE 24 5 “I Cannot Make It...” Once again, St. Maximilian encourages us to be MI Family humble and confident as we walk with Our Lady Consecration to on our faith journey. With her, we can...! An excerpt the Immaculata from St. Kolbe’s Writings n. 1217. O Immaculata, Queen of heaven and earth, our life, our sweetness, and our hope, on this day we the (Family Surname) family come before you to How many times have these expressions this period, though very rarely and only in a of resignation or even despair reached our routine way, I would go to Confession and to consecrate ourselves to you as your ears: I cannot succeed, I cannot make it, I lack religious functions. Around a year later, I sub- possession and property. We praise the energy. Undoubtedly, our physical energy scribed to Rycerz Niepokalanej [The Knight of is limited: attempting to lift with one hand the Immaculata magazine] in response to an God because He has brought us burdens weighing several tons would be vain. invitation, but I would read it without reflect- together to give ourselves to you our Even in the moral dimension, howev- ing much. Actually, sometimes I even forgot Mother. We do this because Jesus said er, we also happen sometimes to listen to the to pay the subscription, even though I had same lament: I cannot manage to get rid of this enough money for other expenses that were on the Cross, “Behold your Mother.” defect; I do not have the strength to decide to less indispensable, often just luxury goods acquire this virtue; this is beyond my possibili- and even sinful items. Living in this manner, We need you, Mother Mary, to help ties. But is it really true that we cannot do it in I found myself at the bottom of moral degra- this case either? Yet St. Paul explicitly affirms, dation, and though I perceived the voice of us to be a truly Catholic family. “I can do all things!…” However, he does not my conscience within me, I did not turn back Enter into our family life. Repeat stop the sentence at this point, but continues, from that road. to us the words you spoke at Cana, “in Him who strengthens me” [Phil 4:13]. Only “Some years later I experienced a serious “without Me,” affirms Jesus Himself, “you can misfortune, serious both in its effects and in “Do whatever He tells you.” Help us do nothing” [Jn 15:5]. And why? its consequences, and with it came depriva- to overlook one another’s faults, to Because if God demands something from tions and misery. I nearly lost my . Those us, surely He also fills us with energies so that misfortunes robbed me of any desire to live. forgive as Jesus has forgiven us, and we may fulfill His will, on condition that on There came upon me moments when I near- to love one another as Our Lord has our part we do not neglect doing what de- ly believed that my life was hanging on a fine asked us to love. pends on us. To act well, divine grace is indis- thread, and I was battered by a storm of des- pensable, and the soul can confidently obtain peration and by the thought of suicide. this grace through prayer. “One day, finding myself in such a pitiful Please use our family to crush the We have at our disposition a very easy and state, totally abandoned and ridiculed by men, head of the serpent. Ask your Spouse, reliable means to obtain this: we have the Me- sullied by human tongues, while sitting in my diatrix of all graces. It is only necessary that we apartment I started to look through the back St. Joseph, Protector of the universal ourselves really want it, and so that we escape issues of Rycerz. It was as if a new life began Church, to keep us one in mind and from her ever less, that we love her ever more to reawaken within me. Having still retained ardently in our temptations, in our difficulties, something of that good which my mother had heart with your Son’s Vicar, the Pope. in our adversities, acknowledging her power, taught me, while I read Rycerz Niepokalanej, Today you have become the Queen of her universal mediation before God, and that particularly the thanksgivings, I thought that our hearts and home. May our home we turn to her with all our trust. We too, then, I could also still pray to the Most Holy Virgin shall be able to do all things, but in Him who Mary, who neither pushes back nor despises be a “City of the Immaculata,” where strengthens us through the Immaculata. anyone. Maybe I could still obtain the grace the Sacred Heart of Jesus reigns Here below is the voice of a soul, one of conversion and of distancing away from my forever. Amen. among many, who confirms that everything is life’s misfortunes. I decided to participate reg- possible through the Immaculata: ularly in the devotions of the month of May “As a youth I was employed in a state office and to make a novena to St. Thérèse of the V. Allow me to praise you, O sacred and, as I found myself among bad company, I Child Jesus. After some time I experienced a Virgin. forgot the good upbringing I had received at deep interior serenity and began a new life.... I home and grew worse every day. That lifestyle have not been disillusioned in my trust, for the R. Give me strength against your led me to completely depraved moral behavior. Most Holy Virgin and St. Thérèse had made enemies. On top of that, I gave myself to the habit of me regain my interior serenity.” drinking. After some time, I changed my en- If you are losing hope, seek to profit from vironment and made an effort to change my this truth, and you will be convinced that you lifestyle, but I still did not find peace. During can also do all things through the Immaculata.

THE MISSION OF THE IMMACULATA - ISSUE 24 6 Fr. Wiesław Pyzio, the Minister Provincial of the Friars Minor Conventual Province of the Immaculate Mother of God in Poland (War- saw). They asked if they could establish the World Prayer for Peace Center in the Basilica of Niepokalanów. The request was accepted immediately. Niepokalanów is now the eighth star in Mary’s crown. The Center’s inaugura- tion took place on September 1, 2018. The Basilica of Niepokalanów has always favored perpetual adoration. The idea of cre- Worldwide: ating the Prayer Center there has been a long term goal of the local . The heart of Twelve Stars in Mary’s Crown the World Prayer for Peace Center is the basil- ica’s perpetual adoration chapel. The Pastor, Fr. In his Message for the World Day of Peace ly target areas affected by war, religious conflict Andrzej Sasiadek, OFM Conv., talked about in 2004, John Paul II made this appeal: “Hu- and racial hatred. They shall be placed where some of the special circumstances surround- manity needs now more than ever to redis- people have the strongest hope for peace and ing the chapel project: “The construction of cover the path of concord, overwhelmed as it reconciliation and where they seek Christ, the the adoration chapel required a renovation of is by selfishness and hatred, by the thirst for true source of these blessings. the basilica. I turned to our friary archives and power and the lust for vengeance.” In a simi- asked for photos documenting how the con- lar tone, Benedict XVI encouraged us to “offer Artists Mariusz and Kamil Drapikowski struction of the church had previously been new hope to the world” because “peace is not a from Gdansk, Poland, have created special ad- carried out. In addition to the photos, I also dream or something utopian; it is possible.” oration altars for the Twelve Stars project. Each found a letter from St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, Twelve countries from around the world altar is fashioned as an icon, based on the work who, in 1934, wrote to a brother from his will establish Peace Chapels – “Twelve stars in and prayers of the design team. The altars’ high mission in Japan, about how he imagined the the Crown of Mary, Queen of Peace.” Despite level of workmanship places them among the Niepokalanów basilica and… the adoration al- being separated by time and distance, the cha- most beautiful works of modern sacred art. tar of the Blessed Sacrament! I was surprised pels will collectively form the World Prayer for Among the twelve countries hosting Prayer for that our project coincides with St. Maximilian Peace Center. Each chapel, protected by the Peace Centers is Poland, and more specifically, Kolbe’s own vision of the chapel! It’s incredible, Mother of God, will carry out perpetual ado- Niepokalanów, the “friary-city” founded by St. but it turns out that our project satisfies what ration of the Blessed Sacrament. Maximilian M. Kolbe. St. Maximilian M. Kolbe had in mind almost These “Prayer for Peace Centers” will be In November of 2017, members of the 100 years ago.” located on every continent. They will especial- “Queen of Peace Community” approached (Source: Niepokalanow website) Let Our Lady Continue to Visit You...

(Continued from pg. 4) per Room did, and, with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, continue to pray, learn Visit a family member or a neighbor and give thanks to God a community of who is confined at home. Spend some time souls committed to a common effort. An with them. Listen and engage in conver- MI Village is both a prayer and apostol- sation. If possible, offer to assist them in ic group of MI members inspired by, and some small ways. Seize the opportunity to meeting under the patronage of, St. Maxi- offer a prayer to Our Lady for their needs milian Kolbe, whom St. John Paul II called and intentions. If appropriate, invite them “A sign and prophet of the new era, the to be consecrated to Our Lady as Knights civilization of love.” You may contact the at the Foot of the Cross. You may request MI National Center to find out the steps the brochure from the MI National Office. to be taken and to request a copy of the MI If you are an MI member, consider Village Kit. starting an MI Village in your area. In a Antonella Di Piazza, FKMI Village those who have consecrated them- MI National Coordinator selves to Jesus through His mother Mary come together, as the Apostles in the Up-

THE MISSION OF THE IMMACULATA - ISSUE 24 7 MI RESOURCES Available from the MI National Center

Disseminate the Miraculous Medal and introduce Our Lady and the MI to others!

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The Writings of St. Maximilian Kolbe

VOLUME I: LETTERS • VOLUME II: VARIOUS WRITINGS At long last the complete works The Definitive English Edition! of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in English: accurate, readable and The Martyr of Charity, St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe (1894-1941), with explanatory introduction before his death in the Auschwitz concentration camp, had a full and footnotes. Both scholars and and fruitful life. The Polish-born Franciscan Friar had spent general readers will find this edition of the Writings the previous twenty-three years as a priest, evangelizer, media of St. Maximilian Kolbe an inspiring practical mogul, social commentator, missionary and religious reformer. His life’s work cut short at age 47, St. Kolbe nonetheless left aid for learning what this Franciscan saint has behind an impressive body of writings. In the 1950s the English- contributed to the study of Mariology and living speaking world first began reading bits and pieces of those the consecration to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. May writings translated from the original Polish, Italian and Latin. the translators’ work contribute to a renewal of Now, at long last, devotees and scholars alike can find the entire Kolbean studies in the English speaking world. wide-ranging array of those writings collected together in a two- Now Available in volume compendium, published by Nerbini International. e-Book Format! — Fr. Peter D. Fehlner, OFM Conv

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“If you love the Immaculata, if your heart burns with gratitude to her, offer your contribution to this work, according to your capabilities! It is worth making such an effort! The Immaculata will not forget it! May all MI Knights be zealous in winning the world over to the Immaculata!” St. Maximilian Kolbe

THE MISSION OF THE IMMACULATA - ISSUE 24 8