Dear MI Crusader,
Peace and all good things! Spring has blossomed and the winter
has now passed. It is during the winter months that there is time for reflection, whether
it be dealing with flu and the other winter maladies, or taking the time of inclement
weather to contemplate our relationship with God. The winter months are dedicated to
themes that can enhance our prayer life: June is the month of the Sacred Heart; July is
dedicated to The Precious Blood of the Lord; and August to contemplate the dogma of Mary's
Assumption into Heaven.
August also saw the Feast Day of St. Maximilian Kolbe on the 14th. This year was
significant as it was the 60th Anniversary of his Martyrdom. The Year 2001 is also
designated as the Intemational Year of the Volunteer. St. Maximilian was nominated as the
Patron Saint of Volunteers. So many people in and outside the Church give so generously of
their time and energy to assist the many needs of people in our Community.
In the Church the organizations are endless, whether Diocesan or Parochial, in which the
good will of dedicated men and women is given to the service of others eg: St. Vincent de
Paul Society. As also in the community people of faith and no faith give tirelessly to
make a difference such as service clubs eg: The Lions Clubs Intemational. St. Maximilian
volunteered his life in the exchange for that of a young polish army sergeant who was the
father of a young family so it is fitting that he take on this special patronage of
Volunteers.
For those who do not know the love of Jesus Christ and the care
of his Immaculate Mother, St. Maximilian is a perfect example to give them as an
introduction. Many good souls are searching for belief and we may just be the instruments
Our Lady uses to show them the reality of God's Love. Volunteerism is seen as a
humanitarian gesture to assist the less fortunate in our communities but it also gives the
MI Crusader the opportunity to open these volunteers to the rich spiritual fountain in the
life and work of St.Maximilian. How many opportunities have we had to tell people about
the life of St. Maximilian and passed it by?
At the end of September the Intemational organ of
the MI is holding a Congress on "St. Maximilian In His Time and
Today". Eloquent speakers have been chosen to address this topic for the Intemational
Delegates who gathered in Rome to see how more effectively world wide we
can make the MI known better. I had the privilege to represent our country of Australia at
the Congress. I look forward in future issues of The Little Troubadour to share with you
some of the rich and practical insights that have come from this Intemational gathering.
Some of the topics that were discussed have been under the following subjects:
1. Maximilian Kolbe and His Time: Proposals for a Historical Re-reading.
2. The Matemal-Feminine Dimension in the Personality and Writings of Kolbe
3. Kolbe the Man
4. Franciscan Themes in the Apostolic Activity of Fr. Kolbe
5. The Immaculate: Icon of a Christian
6. The Spiritual Joumey of St. Maximilian M Kolbe
7. Mary in the Spiritual Joumey of St. Maximilian M Kolbe
This is just a glimpse of the many subjects that were discussed
at the Congress as a practical means of nourishing our consecration. The Congress was
called as a means of promoting and interdisciplinary study of the multifaceted figure of
St. Maximilian and his Writings.
It has been my task to gather and absorb as much spiritual and
practical insights to be able to share with you Crusaders. This I look forward to in the
months ahead. At the Congress there was also an official meeting of the MI Directors and
promoters of Kolbian Spirituality . We gathered to look at the total picture of the MI
Worldwide. So many different and wonderful things are happening with the MI all over the
world.
Many have taken the example of St. Maximilian and are now using the modern means of
technology to use for the spread of the Gospel through the hands of the Immaculate
Virgin Mary for the reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The International Centre
now has a great functioning website on the Internet. For those who are net literate you
can view the website at the following address:www.mi-international.org
The website is full of wonderful information on St. Maximilian
and the MI. It is available in three languages: Italian, English and Spanish. I have found
it a great resource. You will be able to look at the schedule of the Congress and topics
discussed and report to the International Centre from all around the world. We also in
Australia are hoping to have our own website for the MI in the not too distant future. The
website will be another way of keeping you informed of the activities of the MI here.
St. Maximilian was a firm believer that all the means of
modern technology should be used for the sake of the Gospel. We should never forget our
mission as crusaders to bring souls to Christ. St. Maximilian was a Friar-priest who gave
everything to Our Lord through the hands of Mary including his life. We maybe friars,
housewives, workers, professionals, retired, sick, healthy, as Crusaders we all have the
same goal to win the world for the Immaculate. We do this in so many and varied ways
whatever our station in life. We do whatever it takes to fight the spiritual battle. Mary
our Immaculate Mother will a1ways take us by our hand to Her Son Jesus so that we can
share our joy with others.
AD JESUM PER
MARIAM
Yours In Christ and the Immaculate |
M.I. Crusader