Submit your intentions for 3 Holy Masses in Honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 13, 14 and on the Solemnity, August 15.

Dear Friend,

Eighty years ago, today, on the vigil of the feast of the Assumption, Father Maximilian Maria Kolbe, a Priest and Conventual Franciscan Friar, uttered his last words: “Ave Maria” as he was executed with a lethal injection of carbolic acid, while a prisoner in the German death camp of Auschwitz. 

His dedication and love of the Blessed Virgin Mary was intense. He was an active participant in the Militia Immaculata or Army of Mary. He even composed an Immaculata Prayer and helped the Friars publish Marian books, pamphlets and a magazine that had a circulation of over one million. He wanted to ‘fight for Mary’ against the enemies of the church. Today we celebrate his feast day. 

Quotes of St. Maximilian Kolbe on the Blessed Virgin Mary:

“If anyone does not wish to have Mary Immaculate for his Mother, he will not have Christ for his Brother.”

“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”

“Jesus honored her before all ages, and will honor her for all ages. No one comes to Him, nor even near Him, no one is saved or sanctified, if he too will not honor her. This is the lot of Angels and of men.”

“Let us give ourselves to the Immaculata [Mary]. Let her prepare us, let her receive Him [Jesus] in Holy Communion. This is the manner most perfect and pleasing to the Lord Jesus and brings great fruit to us." Because "the Immaculata knows the secret, how to unite ourselves totally with the heart of the Lord Jesus... We do not limit ourselves in love. We want to love the Lord Jesus with her heart, or rather that she would love the Lord with our heart.”

“The Immaculata alone has from God the promise of victory over Satan. She seeks souls that will consecrate themselves entirely to her, that will become in her hands forceful instruments for the defeat of Satan and the spread of God's kingdom.”

Please say this prayer, not only for your own needs but also for the needs of Cardinal Burke, to quickly return to good health, as well as for all who are suffering from contagious viruses and diseases: 

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.

We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, especially Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke. 

At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith.

You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need.

We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee,

joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial

Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will

and to do what Jesus tells us:

He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us,

through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. 

We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.

Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. 

(Mention your personal intentions now, also that Cardinal Burke quickly returns to good health, and for all who are suffering from contagious viruses and diseases)

Your friend in Jesus and Mary,

Thomas J. McKenna 
Founder and President

Catholic Action For Faith And Family
http://www.catholicaction.org/