Celebrating St. Maximilian Kolbe and the Blessed Mother

This Knight and his family consecrated themselves to the Blessed Mother using a formula developed by St. Maximilian Kolbe

As we celebrate the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe this month, we’re reminded that he, just like many Knights of Columbus, had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother.

Steven Resuta, a member of Father Charles R Slough Council 14161 in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, is one such Knight. Since 2000, he and his family have been enrolled in a consecration to the to the Immaculate Heart of Mary using a method designed by St. Maximillian Kolbe.

To consecrate oneself to the Blessed Mother means to offer her complete devotion, knowing that by following her example of perfectly obeying God’s will, you will do the same.

“She was Jesus’ first disciple,” Resuta said. “The Knights are dedicated to her because she leads us to her son.”

While there are numerous consecration formulas, St. Maximillian Kolbe’s consecration formula is particularly popular because of his passion for Our Lady. Known as an apostle of consecration to Mary, he spent his life promoting the Immaculate Virgin Mary before and during World War II.

“While he was in seminary, St. Maximillian Kolbe felt the call to be a soldier. He soon realized his rosary was his weapon, and not the weapons of war,” said Resuta. Shortly afterwards, Kolbe organized the Militia Immaculata (Army of Mary) and a Franciscan community with the mission of converting sinners through Our Lady’s intercession.

When the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, Kolbe used his monastery to hide more than 1,500 Jews. But he was soon arrested and taken to the Auschwitz concentration camp. There he volunteered to be put to death in place of a man with a family.

In the last few days of his life, Kolbe fearlessly led other prisoners in prayers to the Blessed Mother. His heroic example serves to inspire Knights to stand firm in the face of evil, strengthened by the love of Our Lady. Today we can emulate his relationship with Mary through his novena consecration to her Immaculate Heart.

“What’s so great about this devotion is that there’s both a personal dimension and an evangelistic mission,” said Resuta. “You learn about personal sanctification, but also to share your faith and love of Our Lady.”

K of C members have a proud history of looking to the example of the Blessed Mother. When Supreme Knight Carl Anderson took office in 2000, he dedicated his administration to the Blessed Mother under her title Our Lady of Guadalupe, renewing devotion to her throughout the Order.

And Knights are no strangers to making an act of consecration – a consecration to the Holy Family is one of the Order’s recommended programs for all local councils.

“It’s not exclusive—that’s what I love about it,” said Resuta. “Being enrolled in the Militia Immaculata pairs perfectly with the many incredible initiatives the Knights do.”

To learn more about making a consecration to the Blessed Mother using St. Maximilian Kolbe’s formula, visit the Militia of the Immaculata’s website.

Share your story of consecrating yourself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Email william.nardi@kofc.org.