Introduction 

Dear Knights of the Immaculata and Friends preparing for total consecration, Maria! The 

International oKice of the Militia of the Immaculata (MI) has provided a program of preparation for 

total consecration to the Immaculata, which MI-USA has published in a booklet format. This 

booklet shows the path that individuals, MI Villages and groups may follow for total consecration 

and ongoing formation. In preparing this booklet, quotes were taken from the two-volume set of 

letters and various writings of our founder, St. Maximilian Kolbe. Careful and sagacious thought 

went into preparing the principal text and the questions for reflection to help us along the correct 

path. As we follow the path of total consecration to our Blessed Mother, we are brought into the 

spiritual ideals that St. Maximilian envisioned for the Militia of the Immaculata. His goal was that all 

Mary’s Knights become saints in her loving arms. This path leads us through Mary closer to the 

Sacred Heart of her Son Jesus Christ and to His Church, and encourages us to win the whole world 

for Him through her Immaculate Heart. As we begin our journey and preparation to become Knights 

of the Immaculata, let us recall the many Saints who consecrated themselves to Our Lady in their 

trials and quest for holiness. Above all, let us try to resemble Mary, the perfect disciple of her Son. I 

sincerely believe that this booklet is a precious gift that will guide you and keep you on the straight 

and narrow path to holiness. May Mother Mary rest in your hearts and enlighten you along the way. 

Ronald L. Rodrigues 

MI National President – USA

St. Maximilian Kolbe was born in Poland in 1894 and at about the age of 10 had a vision of the Virgin 

Mary. She oKered him a white crown and a red crown, representing purity and martyrdom. He chose 

both, a foreshadowing of his life of evangelical purity and sacrificial love. In 1910, he joined the 

Conventual Franciscan Order. He studied in Rome where, on October 16, 1917, with six other young 

friars he founded the Militia of the Immaculata (MI), which is now an International Public 

Association of the Faithful, erected by the Holy See. The MI is open to Catholics of all walks of life 

and promotes total consecration to Mary Immaculate as a most eKective way to live one’s Baptism 

and Confirmation. The MI encourages all people of goodwill to welcome Our Lady in their lives and 

develop a trusting relationship with her. The aim of the MI is “to win the whole world for Christ 

through the Immaculata,” Mother of God and of the Church. Ordained a priest in 1918, Father 

Maximilian returned to Poland and began his untiring missionary activity, starting a monthly 

magazine and establishing two evangelization centers dedicated to the Immaculate Virgin: 

Niepokalanów, the “City of the Immaculata,” in Poland, and Mugenzai no Sono in Japan. He 

envisioned missionary centers worldwide. To better “win the world for Christ through the 

Immaculata,” he utilized the most modern techniques, including short-wave radio, and planned to 

build a motion picture studio. In 1939, during WWII, at Niepokalanów Father Maximilian welcomed 

thousands of refugees, especially Jews. In 1941, he was arrested by the Nazis and taken to the 

Auschwitz concentration camp. There he oKered his life for another prisoner and was condemned 

to slow death in a starvation bunker. Father Kolbe died on August 14, 1941, from an injection of 

carbolic acid. Pope St. John Paul II canonized him as a Saint and Martyr of Charity on October 10, 

1982. St. Maximilian Kolbe is considered a patron of journalists, families, prisoners, the pro-life 

movement, the chemically addicted and those with eating disorders. St. Maximilian’s insights on 

the Immaculate Conception anticipated the Marian theology of the Second Vatican Council and 

further developed the Church’s understanding of Mary’s role in God’s Plan of salvation. His Marian 

thought re-echoes in the Marian teaching of both St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary… 

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not 

have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those 

recommended to you.