By Joe Cascone
Surely you have heard of St. Maximilian Kolbe. You know that he was a Polish Franciscan Friar, martyred in Auschwitz on August 14, 1941. You know that he volunteered to die at the hands of the cruel Nazis in order to save the life of a family man.
But did you know that 24 years before his martyrdom, in 1917 while he was just a seminarian in Rome, he and his friends began a Marian movement called the Militia of the Immaculata (MI)? He established an MI “Village of Mary” in Poland, and he even went on mission to begin a Village of Mary in Japan.
The MI is an apostolate that to this day has tens of thousands of “Knights” around the world that are consecrated to our Blessed Mother Mary, The Immaculate Conception. 104 years after St. Maximilian began the MI, there are MI villages around the world. Did you know that we are blessed to have one right here, at St. Mary Parish in Mokena?
For almost two years, St. Mary parishioners and Catholics have traveled over an hour to gather every First Saturday for Holy Mass, Confessions, prayer, and to share in fellowship and the apostolate; “To win the entire world for the Immaculata and, through her, for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.” After all, that is exactly what Evangelization calls us to do.
For all you St. Mary parishioners that have consecrated yourselves to Jesus through Mary…. To all your friends and relatives that want to consecrate themselves…. Come to First Saturday Mass October 2, at 8 AM. Come to pray for Divine Mercy and make your confession. Reconcile yourself to God with your hand in the holy hand of our gentle Mother Mary. Ask Her to intercede for you and your loved ones that they return to God and His Church. Pray the Rosary for poor sinners everywhere, for the souls in purgatory, and pray for our One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, and its leaders. Refresh yourself under the mantle of Our Lady and share great conversation with family at St. Mary Parish.
All are welcome, including the youth of the parish. The Marian way is the surest, most direct and secure path to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “Behold your Mother” under the guidance of St. Maximilian Kolbe.
The Mokena Marian 