Devotion for today: “There was a man…” continuing thoughts on a pilgrimage to Poland

John 1:6-8: There was a man sent by whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

Above the door of the museum in Niepokalanow (a monastery Maximilian Kolbe founded which means “City of the Immaculata” and which housed over 700 friars), where the story of Maximilian Kolbe is told through photos, paintings, documents and even the actual Franciscan habit he had on the day the Nazis came and took him to Auschwitz, is the quote, “There was a man….” Obviously linked to the above Bible passage, the comparison to John the Baptist is clear. St. Maximilian Kolbe had a prophetic mission. It began at the age of 14 when he had a vision of the Virgin Mary offering him two crowns, one red (martyrdom) and one white (purity). She asked him which one he wanted in his life, and he told her that he wanted both. He was granted his wish. He entered the minor seminary of the Conventual Franciscans in Lvív (then Poland, now Ukraine), near his birthplace, became a novice at age 16 and was ordained at 24. He was profoundly devoted to Mary, and used her intervention to help him combat “indifference” which he saw as the “deadliest poison of the day.” History proved him correct, and we can all learn from this. Bemoaning the condition of the world today is not enough. If we do not act decisively to change current events, they will change us. My visit to Auschwitz, which I will write about later, confirms that idea with no room for doubt.

Maximilian founded the Militia of the Immaculata, people who were determined to fight evil by living lives of witness to the good life, work and suffering. He then founded the magazine “Knight of the Immaculata” which he placed under Mary’s protection and which he used to preach the Good News to the world. Between his militia and magazine, Maximilian had over 1,000,000 people in his army. When the Nazis overran Poland in 1939, they bombed his beloved monastery and took him prisoner. We were able to view his habit because the Nazis made him strip it off before they took him away to Auschwitz where he offered his life in exchange for that of a man who had a family. After two weeks of starvation, he was still alive, singing and praising God in the cell we were able to view, and so the Nazis injected him with carbolic acid. The man whose life he saved lived for about 50 more years and spread the faith wherever he went.Here is a picture of John Paul II embracing him!

In the museum are paintings of Maximilian’s  life in Auschwitz, showing him hearing confessions, being beaten in the work field, praying in his starvation  cell, being injected while singing God’s praises, and then, in the most profound picture in the series,depicts him crucified in his prison uniform. At first glance it looks as though he is on the cross alone, but upon closer examination, the face of Christ appears over his shoulder, and you realize He is on the cross with Maximilian, holding him, embracing him, loving him. The final picture is of Maximilian and many prisoners ascending to heaven from the crematorium, arms outstretched, faces aglow, soaring to God in heaven. The message is quite clear: after the crucifixion comes the resurrection. What a powerful testimony to “the man” and what a lasting message to us all!

There is a Basilica to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Niepokalanow (pictured above) which totally surrounds the visitor in peace and tranquility. Focus centers on a beautiful statue of Immaculate Mary, 

and a side altar honors St. Joseph and little Jesus, which are surrounded by two huge mosaics of Divine Mercy and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Even the doors contain 24 bas relief images of Mary taken from around the world. The Basilica honors St. Francis, St. Anthony, and St. Maximilian Kolbe in statues and side altars.

St. Maximilian Kolbe teaches us to be not afraid, to accept the challenge to change the world, and to be willing to give up one’s life, either physically, spiritually, socially, financially, or however God’s asks us to do it, and then face the resurrection of our soul with joy! The days of comfortable discipleship are over. If we are only willing to serve God and His people on our terms, telling God the limits on our service, we are of no use to Him. We need bold witnesses today, filled with the love of Mary and the strength of the Holy Spirit, to bring the world back to God. Pray for strength and fortitude and openness. St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us.

Read more: http://vivificat1.blogspot.com/2009/08/today-we-remember-st-maximilian-kolbe.html#ixzz2aHUIzaUW

Novena Prayer to
St. Maximilian Kolbe

O Lord Jesus Christ, who said, "greater love than this no man has that a man lay down his life for his friends,"
through the intercession of St. Maximilian Kolbe whose life illustrated such love, we beseech you to grant us our petitions . . .
(here mention the requests you have).

Through the Militia Immaculata movement, which Maximilian founded, he spread a fervent devotion to Our Lady throughout the world. He gave up his life for a total stranger and loved his persecutors, giving us an example of unselfish love for all men - a love that was inspired by true devotion to Mary.
Grant, O Lord Jesus, that we too may give ourselves entirely without reserve to the love and service of our Heavenly Queen in order to better love and serve our fellowman in imitation of your humble servant, Maximilian. Amen.

(Say 3 Hail Marys and a Glory Be)

Read more:http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/kolbe.htm#ixzz2aHqKdnDd

World Youth Day 2016 will be in Krakow, Poland!!!!! Praise God!!