The MI within the Church

The evening of October 16, 1917, Friar Maximilian presented to his companions the program for a new Marian association, the Militia of the Immaculata, which he had handwritten on a small piece of paper. With not much consideration for the form, in a few essential points he had drafted the aim, conditions and means for achieving a universal-scale project.

Shortly after, Fr. Kolbe submitted the MI program to the approval of the Church. As early as January 1922, the Militia of the Immaculata received approval as a pious union, that is, an association of the faithful aiming to promote works of charity and apostolate, according to the Code of Canon Law in force from 1917 to 1983.

At the beginning of his apostolic work in Poland, Maximilian drafted a statute for the priests of the Franciscan Order (cf. KW 1370); he also revised bylaws for the MI men’s circle that a group of laymen had composed in close collaboration with him (KW 1371). Later, Fr. Kolbe offered his own observations for the MI general statutes that a group of friars were composing in Rome. Overall, Fr. Maximilian appears to have been more concerned about the “spirit” of the statutes than of the “letter,” making sure that the norms conveyed an authentic spirit of total dedication to the Immaculata for the coming of the Kingdom of God in all hearts, a spirit “without boundaries” that can hardly be enclosed within the limits of legal norms.

Following the 1983 promulgation of the new Code of Canon Law by Pope St. John Paul II on October 16, 1997, the MI received pontifical approval as an international and universal public association of the faithful. The MI is therefore a public association because it enjoys legal status thanks to the Church’s approval; it’s universal, because, having been approved by the Holy See, the MI operates in the name of the universal Church and is open to all Catholics (lay persons, clerics and members of institutes of consecrated life); it’s international because the MI can freely spread all over the world. In other words, the MI received from the Church the highest recognition, which reflects St. Maximilian’s original and universal inspiration.

The MI is and will always be a broader reality than what even the better-drafted statutes would be able to articulate. In St. Maximilian’s own words, the Militia of the Immaculata “is a global vision of Catholic life in a new form, consisting in the bond with the Immaculata, our universal Mediatrix before Jesus” (KW 1220), and it is called to be an extension of Mary’s maternal presence and universal mission. “Strictly speaking, the aim of the Militia of the Immaculata is the goal of the Immaculata herself (ibid.), whose single desire “is to raise the level of our spiritual life to the summits of holiness” (ibid.). In 1935, Fr. Maximilian wrote also that the MI “should not present itself as one more organization among the many that already exist, but rather deeply permeate all organizations” (KW 658), so as to make Mary’s presence visible and effective everywhere.

After over 100 years of life and mission, the MI continues to be a gift for the Church and for each person thirsting for God’s love and Mary’s tenderness.

All Aboard… for Spreading the Gospel with the Immaculata

One of St. Maximilian’s genial qualities was his ability to share the MI ideal and mission with persons of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds, and walks of life. From the beginning of his priestly ministry, as soon as he returned to Poland after his studies in Rome, he began to engage priests and lay persons, men and women, young people and adults, inviting them to embark on a spiritual journey of total dedication to the Immaculata.

In Krakow, a university town, he approached students and seminarians, as well as freelance professionals, workers and families. He started formation gatherings for various groups, but he soon realized that this was not enough in order to reach all people. As a result, he launched a humble magazine, The Knight of the Immaculata, and called MI members to action everywhere: in their own families, at work, in the schools and in every area of life. Accordingly, during the past 100 years, the MI has continued to spread worldwide and to welcome new members from among the people of God, so much so that on October 16, 1997, the Church numbered it among the International Public Associations of the Faithful.

If the MI was born within the Franciscan community, from the very beginning St. Maximilian was convinced that Our Lady wanted to gather around herself a true ecclesial family, in which everyone, according to each one’s vocation, would place his or her talents at the service of the Gospel, by living and working in communion so as to spread the Kingdom of God.

St. Maximilian’s vast correspondence shows how he was always in dialogue with the most diverse recipients: Franciscans from various countries, lay men and women, priests, women religious, young people and children. He shared his dreams and plans, encouraged them in difficulties, and tirelessly passed on the ideal that the Immaculata entrusted to him. He built bridges, wove relationships, stirred up the spirit of initiative, inviting his interlocutors to contribute their gifts and talents according to their means and abilities. In other words, he elicited everyone’s participation so that the message might penetrate everywhere and reach everyone “as soon as possible.”

St. Maximilian was indeed a pioneer in this and offers a legacy of great importance today. In the Church and society, often marked by sharp polarizations, the MI is called to be a family in which we strive for holiness in the footsteps of Mary while welcoming and harmonizing the variety of vocations and gifts in the unity of our Catholic faith and of our common ideal. How could we ever forget how St. John Paul II emphasized the urgency of embracing a spirituality of communion? We are to be a family gathered around Mary so as to become witnesses and instruments of that plan for communion which is the crowning point of human history in God’s design.

St. Maximilian entrusts to each MI member his charism and vision, and invites us to give ourselves without reserve to the Immaculata and to be passionate messengers of the overflowing Life and Love of God that comes to us through Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.

How Do I Enroll in the MI

Membership in the MI is open to Catholics of age 7 or older.

A. SELECT the date on which you want your name recorded in the official register of the MI, preferably a Marian feast day, fill out the enrollment form and mail it to the MI National Center, P.O. Box 5547, Peoria, Illinois, 61601. You may also enroll online at MilitiaoftheImmaculata.com.

B. PREPARE for your consecration and enrollment by spiritual reading, the Rosary and the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation on or shortly before the day of your enrollment.

C. ON THE DAY of your Marian consecration and MI enrollment, attend Mass, if possible, and recite the Official Act of Consecration composed by St. Maximilian. Give yourself wholeheartedly to Our Lady so as to let the Holy Spirit guide you on the path to holiness with her! Subject to the usual conditions, a plenary indulgence is granted by the Church for enrollment in the MI. This special gift was bestowed on the MI by Pope Pius XI in 1926. Implore Our Lady and St. Maximilian to show you how you may serve the Lord as an instrument of love and mercy in your life and be ready to share with everyone the gift you have received.

Enjoy being part of the MI Family and stay in touch by prayer and regularly visiting the MI websites:

MilitiaoftheImmaculata.com

MIYouth.org

Wear a Miraculous Medal and pass them on to others! Get involved and attend MI local events, if possible.

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.

Go to previous prayer |  Go to next prayer | Go to the beginning