Once St Maximilian Kolbe was confronted by a fellow Franciscan in regards to his plans of evangelization. He was told that he should take it easy because he was a tubercular with a short life ahead of him. After hearing that St Maximilian said: “A painter is the person who can produce a beautiful paining with a brush paint. If one can produce a masterpiece using a broom the person would be the top artist. The Immaculate Mary is such an artist. She can produce masterpieces using brooms like me.”
As the Christian people honour today the Saint who is well known for giving his life for another human being it would be appropriate to acknowledge that what happened in that Concentration Camp wasn’t an accident or a rush decision of a lunatic. On the contrary it was the outcome of years of faithful and committed life to Jesus and his Immaculate Mother. As an Oblate I have a particular devotion to St Maximillian Kolbe who was captivated by the mystery of the Immaculate Conception. As a Seminarian in Rome, together with a few friends they established Militia Immaculatae (MI), a movement that was offered to Mary Immaculate. Later as a young priest St Maximilian started a catholic magazine called Knight of the Immaculate. I think that an Oblate of Mary Immaculate and a Knight of Immaculate have got a very close meaning. The origin of both titles comes from the same source: the distress at the suffering of the Church of God. St Eugene started his Oblates of Immaculate as he was moved by the damage done to the Church by the French Revolution. Under the patronage of the Immaculate he wanted to bring healing and growth to the Church he loved so much. While in Rome for his studies, St Maximillian saw the abuses and ridicules thrown at Pope St Pius X and his successor Benedict XV. He witnessed how some people enjoyed attacking the mission of the Vicar of Christ. Under the patronage of the Immaculate he wanted to support the Pope to continue his mission of healing and unity for the growth of the Church. As St Eugene and his missionaries were tirelessly traveling across Provence to bring the message of the Gospel to the abandoned villages and towns as St Maximillian and his Militia Immaculatae were tirelessly publishing and posting magazines spreading true knowledge of Catholic Faith.
As the Christian people honour today the Saint who is well known for giving his life for another human being it would be appropriate to acknowledge that what happened in that Concentration Camp wasn’t an accident or a rush decision of a lunatic. On the contrary it was the outcome of years of faithful and committed life to Jesus and his Immaculate Mother. As an Oblate I have a particular devotion to St Maximillian Kolbe who was captivated by the mystery of the Immaculate Conception. As a Seminarian in Rome, together with a few friends they established Militia Immaculatae (MI), a movement that was offered to Mary Immaculate. Later as a young priest St Maximilian started a catholic magazine called Knight of the Immaculate. I think that an Oblate of Mary Immaculate and a Knight of Immaculate have got a very close meaning. The origin of both titles comes from the same source: the distress at the suffering of the Church of God. St Eugene started his Oblates of Immaculate as he was moved by the damage done to the Church by the French Revolution. Under the patronage of the Immaculate he wanted to bring healing and growth to the Church he loved so much. While in Rome for his studies, St Maximillian saw the abuses and ridicules thrown at Pope St Pius X and his successor Benedict XV. He witnessed how some people enjoyed attacking the mission of the Vicar of Christ. Under the patronage of the Immaculate he wanted to support the Pope to continue his mission of healing and unity for the growth of the Church. As St Eugene and his missionaries were tirelessly traveling across Provence to bring the message of the Gospel to the abandoned villages and towns as St Maximillian and his Militia Immaculatae were tirelessly publishing and posting magazines spreading true knowledge of Catholic Faith.
St Maximilian when he established Militia Immaculatae
As I mentioned at the beginning St Maximillian is known for his sacrifice for another prisoner. He asked to be a replace for the man who would leave behind his wife and children. When asked by the commander while he was doing that he answered: “I am a Catholic Priest.” I treasure and keep reflecting on this sentence as it summarizes the meaning of the Priesthood: “A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” As we pray for new vocations let us pray so those who ponder this path of life may have this understanding of what it is to be a Catholic Priest.
St Maximilian at the end of his life when he sacrificed his life to save a young father
RSS Feed
