August 2021 ISSUE 58 The Knight of the IE-Publicationmmaculata of the Militia of the Immaculata, USA Praying for the Shepherds - PAGE 3 St. Maximilian, Champion of Friendship - PAGE 4 When an Oil Change Turns into... - PAGE 10 Patterns & Convergences By John W. Galten, MI National President Dear Knights of the Immaculata, Maria! This month, in particular the feast day of St. Maxi- milian on August 14th, concludes our year of meditating, study and prayer on the 80th anniversary of the Saint’s heroic martyr- dom of charity. In another part of The Knight of the Immaculata newsletter you will find study questions for the book A Man for Others. If you haven't ordered the book, or haven't read it, do so. You will be deeply inspired to live your Total Consecration in a more fervent manner. I find some interesting patterns and convergences in the life of the Immac- “Through Mary Immaculate to ulata and the life of her spiritual son, St. Maximilian. First, the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived immaculately and sin never touched her soul. Her holiness Jesus: that is our watchword. was from the beginning of her existence and grew, expanding with greater full- The more you spread veneration ness as she matured. St. Maximilian’s immaculateness begin at his Baptism and gradually expanded as he progressed in virtue and holiness, especially in charity. and love for the Immaculata The Virgin received a call to bear the Messiah—the Only Begotten Son. She knew the Old Testament prediction in Isaiah of the Messiah being the Suffering the more souls you win over Servant. She said yes to that also in her choice. Kolbe received a call as a child from her to a mission—to sanctity and martyrdom, for which he prepared all his to her, and, through her, to the life by fervor and virtue. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Immaculata lived a life of humble and unknown service at the Holy Family’s home in Nazareth. St. Maximilian founded friaries that were totally who loved us unto death on the consecrated to the Immaculata, to living a Marian style of service, becoming what he called schools for saints. C r o s s .” The Immaculata said to the servant at Cana, “Do whatever He says.” St. Max- –St. Maximilian Kolbe imilian led others to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus through Mary. (continues on pg. 2) THE KNIGHT OF THE IMMACULATA - ISSUE 58 © Militia of the Immaculata 1 Invite Friends to Be Consecrated to Our Lady! Editorial The Mother of Jesus followed Him to the foot of the Cross and she entered into the depths of His Passion as no other human person has mystically or in practice experienced it. St. Maximil- ian, in his living from the Love of God Year of St. Joseph and in embracing his suffering and As we observe this special year dedicated death for another man, so too entered Behold Your Mother! to St. Joseph, we are encouraged to imitate that mystery of victorious death. his unconditional fidelity to God and to ask The Path to Total Consecration The Immaculata united her heart his powerful intercession. The following to Our Lady in the Spirit of to her Son’s sacrifices, crushed the prayer might be useful: St. Maximilian Kolbe head of the Serpent and his legacy— sin and death. St. Maximilian so too Joseph, strong and gentle saint, This beautiful 56-page booklet may be by his martyrdom crushed the head of dear to God and His faithful shadow, used individually or as a group activity (in a remember me in all home or parish setting, for example), or as a the serpent-inspired hatred and the at- my spiritual and material needs. series of classes led by a facilitator, or during a mosphere of hell in the fiendish place Be my advocate before the Father. day of preparation for MI consecration to Our called Auschwitz—the temple of doom To you I bring my heart and soul Lady. If you can offer a series of meetings, you surmounted by the hellish mantra: and all my longings. can read each chapter with the group and in- “Work makes you free.” St. Kolbe pro- Sanctify them with your burning faith, vite the participants to reflect and comment your unfaltering hope, and with that great, on it. Alternatively, you can invite them to claimed the opposite—“Christ’s Love read each chapter beforehand and come to- self-sacrificing love that was the secret of makes you free.” gether for discussion. your hidden sanctity. The Immaculata prophesied that Many people have expressed the desire Christ was your peace: give Him to my to promote total consecration to Mary in “all nations would call her blessed.” heart, then by His light I will see the way St. Maximilian died in faith, hope and their parish and local area. The Path to Total that I must walk to stay with Him. Consecration offers you an effective tool for charity, trusting in His Promises and Give me the courage not to turn back making that possible! her intercession. All generations call because of darkness, sorrow, or sufferings. Now available in audio book form. him blessed. Teach me the joy of loving God’s Will, and The suggested donation for multi- help me to live, as you have done, within its I find these parallels helpful in ple copies of the booklet is $1.00/ea. plus calm and peaceful depths. remembering not only the deeper shipping; for a single copy, the suggest- Amen. ed donation is $3.75 shipping included. meaning of St. Maximilian’s martyr- dom but in assisting all of us Knights, New! Order Today! her Knights, to commit ourselves ever more deeply to our Consecration—to be hers ever more fully. Why? That she might fashion us into a replica of the perfect God-Man, Daily Holy Mass Jesus. will be offered throughout 2021 for the Long live Christ the King! MI-USA and all MI Members, living and Immaculata, intercede for us! deceased, at the City of the Immaculata St. Maximilian, Martyr of Charity, established by St. Maximilian Kolbe near pray for us! Warsaw, in Poland. As always, until next month, Send your prayer intentions to be placed “Arise, let us be on our way.” in the MI Book of Intentions at the Order copies of both today from the John W. Galten feet of Our Lady and St. Maximilian Kolbe’s MI National Office: MI National President first class relic: [email protected] [email protected] Or call: 331-223-5564 THE KNIGHT OF THE IMMACULATA - ISSUE 58 © Militia of the Immaculata 2 I recently came across a valuable lesson sians. I am reminded of the Exodus as re- that a Catholic writer learned from over- corded in the Book of Numbers that “with hearing a mom in a grocery store tell her their patience worn out by the journey, child: “Not everything you want is good the people complained against God and for you.” Now there is a line worth remem- against Moses.” Who hasn’t been there? bering and pondering: not everything I Maybe that is where you are right now. want is good for me. And so it’s possible On our journey with the Church, the Peo- that not everything that I pray for is good ple of God, we can lose patience, get fed for me, even though it’s not a bad thing I up, ticked off and irritated. That is when am asking for. Trust and confidence are we need to be careful about complaining, needed in the Lord our Shepherd who is particularly how, where and with whom also our justice and our peace—that He we vent. This is especially true if you are loves us enough to not give us everything on social media. Again, there is room for we want. For He certainly knows what is healthy disagreements but there is a big good for each one of us and He wants only difference between challenging something our good, in the here and now and forever. and attacking someone. Don’t feed “attack In today’s Gospel we see how our Good mode” and don’t feed into it. This applies Shepherd let go of a good plan—to rest to the dynamics going on in our country, awhile with His disciples—for the sake in our world, in our Church and in our of a greater good, to shepherd those who families. flocked to Him. Moved with pity for these This is no time to be sheepish but we sheep without a shepherd, our Lord be- must also not lower ourselves to be like gan to teach them many things. In this He wolves who are not satisfied until their showed our need to be taught and hope- prey is torn to shreds. Be informed and be fully that we want to learn. This passage engaged. Remember that all our battles are also highlights the solemn duty to teach ultimately spiritual ones. Spiritual battles on the part of those who are shepherds call for spiritual tactics that are tried and in His Church, in particular bishops and true. When Padre Pio would say: “Bring priests. me my weapon,” he was talking about his We have a duty to pray for these shep- Rosary! There is good reason for praying herds to become more and more like the daily – Saint Michael the Archangel de- Good Shepherd. Pray especially for those fend us in battle… priests or bishops that you may not like or When so many things seem wrong or have some difficulty with.