Introducing the Militia of the Immaculata  (by Antonella Di Piazza, FKMI)

The Beginning of a Great Adventure

“A lot of water has already passed under the bridge: it all took place nearly 18 years ago, so I have almost forgotten a number of details.” Thus, at the prompting of his superior, Fr. Kornel Czupryk, Fr. Maximilian begins to unveil the beginnings of the Militia of the Immaculata (MI) in one of his unpublished writings (KW 1278) - a precious gift for us!

It is winter of the year 1917. Friar Maximilian is in Rome, at the International Theological College of the Franciscan Order, preparing for his priestly ordination. He is only 23 years old, but his mind and heart embrace already universal horizons. He takes deep interest in the life of his Franciscan family, the Church and the world. He loves God and the Immaculate Virgin with evangelical simplicity, and desires to live the Gospel to the letter, serving the Lord with the generous dedication of his Seraphic Father Francis, the knight of the Great King. Goodness attracts him to the highest ideal, while the manifestations of evil move him to action.

“When in Rome the Freemasons started coming out in the open daringly, flaunting their banners under the windows of the Vatican, depicting, on the black banners of the followers of Giordano Bruno, St. Michael the Archangel crushed under the foot of Lucifer, and openly lashing out against the Holy Father in propaganda pamphlets, the thought came of setting up an association committed to fighting Freemasonry and other servants of Lucifer. To make sure that such idea was coming from the Immaculata, I sought counsel from my spiritual director at the time, Fr. Alessandro Basile, a Jesuit…. Having obtained assurance from holy obedience, I decided to get down to work” (KW 1278).

Young Friar Maximilian observes with lucidity the destructive effects of atheistic secularism, represented by the Freemasonry that impudently celebrates its 200th anniversary. He is aware of the spreading of dangerous religious indifferentism and various antireligious theories, as well as of the subtle decline of morality. He suffers in witnessing a certain quietism among Catholics, despite the persecution the Church undergoes in various nations and the popes’ unrelenting appeals to live out the missionary dimension of the Christian calling. However, Friar Maximilian does not stop at a pessimistic outlook of reality. He knows that Jesus is the Lord of history, the Prince of peace. He understands that the Immaculate Virgin is the new Woman, called by Jesus Himself to be the model, guide and Mother of grace for all men of every time and place: “Woman, behold your son” (Jn 19:26). Maximilian ponders, prays and discerns.

A few months later, the young Franciscans spend their vacation outside Rome, at the “Vigna” friary.

“During a football game, blood started coming out of my mouth. I drew aside and lay down on the grass. Br. Girolamo Biasi, of blessed memory, took care of me. I spat up blood for quite a while. Soon after, I went to the doctor. Two weeks later, the doctor finally allowed me to go out for the first time. In the company of another cleric, Br. [Giovanni] Ossanna, I got to the ‘Vigna,’ albeit with difficulty. When the clerics saw me, they cheered and were in high spirits, and brought me fresh figs, wine and bread. Having had something to eat and drink, my aches and pangs ceased, and for the first time I mentioned the idea of starting an association to Br. Girolamo Biasi and Fr. Iosif Pal, who had been ordained a priest before me although we were attending the same year of theology. However, I stipulated that each of them should consult their spiritual directors first, to make sure that it was in fact God’s will.” (ibid.)

As it happens often, a great adventure begins with the coming together of friends who share one grand ideal… sometimes around a basket of fresh figs!

The Happiness of all Humanity in God through the Immaculata

St. Maximilian left behind a simple account of the first steps that resulted in the founding of the Militia of the Immaculata (MI). He emphasized how initially the association began with three fellow students of the International Seraphic College, during their summer vacation. Eventually other young friars joined them. Let us listen to St. Maximilian’s own memories of that historical October 16, 1917:

“Thus, with the consent of the Fr. Rector, on October 16, 1917, the first meeting of the first seven members took place, namely:

1. Fr. Iosif Pal, a young priest of the Romanian Province;
2. Br. Antoni Głowiński, deacon of the Romanian Province (d. October 18, 1918);
3. Br. Girolamo Biasi, from the Province of Padua (d. 1929);
4. Br. Quirico Pignalberi, of the Roman Province;
5. Br. Antonio Mansi, of the Province of Naples (d. October 31, 1918);
6. Br. Enrico Granata, of the Province of Naples;
7. myself.

“The meeting took place at night, in secret, in a locked, inner cell that was constructed by means of a temporary wall. In front of us there was a little statue of the Immaculata between two lighted candles. Br. Girolamo Biasi acted as secretary. The purpose of this first meeting was the discussion of the ‘program of the MI’ (the enrollment form), especially since Fr. Alessandro Basile, who was also confessor to the Pope [Benedict XV], had promised he would ask the Holy Father for a blessing of the MI” (KW 1278).

From the start, the plan outlined in the original charter of the MI is exciting and universal: “To reach out to so many unhappy souls, in order to strengthen innocent hearts in goodness, in order to help everyone draw nearer to the Immaculata, Mediatrix of all graces” (cf. KW 1328). In other words, the MI plan is to work tirelessly for “The happiness of all humanity in God through the Immaculata” (KW 1088).

Yes, the young Maximilian was already an intelligent and creative strategist, an enthusiastic leader, able to bring others to get involved. Above all, he was a daring and passionate disciple of the Lord, who desired ardently the greatest glory of God, the spreading of His Kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven,” and the authentic happiness of each person in Him Who is its only true source – and this, through the Immaculata.

Through the Blessed Virgin Mary, Maximilian encountered the Lord Jesus and in Him the living Water of eternal Life (cf. Jn 4:14), which has to be shared with everyone. At the foot of the Cross, Mary was the first one to welcome Jesus’ thirst, the thirst of the Crucified Love to quench the thirst of our hearts, and Maximilian wanted the MI to be a docile and generous instrument in Our Lady’s hands for the fulfilling of this dream: the happiness of all people in God.

If the word “happiness” appears constantly in his Writings, we can be sure it’s not by mere chance! When later Maximilian would trace the portrait of the Knight of the Immaculata, he wrote that an MI member “does not confine his heart only to himself or to his family, his relatives, his neighbours, his friends, his fellow countrymen. Rather, along with them he embraces the whole world, each and every person individually, for all were redeemed by the Blood of Jesus without exception, and all are our brothers and sisters. He desires true happiness for all, enlightenment through the light of faith, purification from sin, a rekindling of the heart through love for God, a love that sets no limits” (KW 1088).

Let us be set ablaze by this passion for the true happiness of all humanity in God through the Immaculata! Let us make of it our dream, together, with the audacity of St. Maximilian, by inviting others to a deeper relationship with Jesus through consecration to Our Lady.

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.

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