Saints & Marian Devotions
“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin Mary too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.” -
St. Maximilian Kolbe
In my last blog post, I spoke about St. Maximilian Kolbe as one of my favorite saints. St. Maximilian was deeply devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, showing a profound and unwavering commitment to her throughout his life. His love for Mary was evident in his actions and teachings, inspiring many to deepen their own devotion.
He firmly believed that the surest and most effective way for every person to grow in holiness and ultimately reach Jesus was through total and complete consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In pursuit of this spiritual ideal, he founded the Militia of the Immaculata (MI) in 1917, a dedicated movement aimed at promoting this deep consecration and actively spreading Marian devotion throughout the entire world. In his writings, Kolbe emphasized that Mary’s role as Mediatrix is a “lofty truth” — a profound and elevated reality that transcends ordinary human understanding and perception. St. Maximilian taught that true peace does not come from fully feeling or intellectually grasping this mediation, but rather from the willing heart that chooses to belong to Jesus through Mary, even amid spiritual dryness, doubt, or confusion. This commitment, he believed, sustains the soul in times of trial and deepens the union with Christ through the maternal intercession of Mary. His Jesus, encountered through Mary, touches me profoundly and has continually been an essential part of my ongoing prayer journey. The deep sense of surrender and wholehearted trust is ultimately what guides and sustains us, helping us to navigate and get through those especially tough and challenging times.
St. Maximilian’s profound trust in Mary provided him with remarkable courage and deep serenity, even when confronted with the terrifying prospect of death. His final and selfless act of love — offering his own life in place of another prisoner in Auschwitz — was deeply grounded in his enduring Marian spirituality. In his last moments, his whispered “Hail Mary” spoke volumes, revealing his steadfast and unwavering trust in her compassionate maternal care.
When Kolbe was young, he saw the Virgin Mary offering him two crowns: one for purity and one for martyrdom. He accepted both, and this vision guided his life. His faith led him to start Niepokalanów, a Marian friary in Poland, and to publish “The Knight of the Immaculate,” a Catholic magazine about Mary.
It is a profound way of life, a dedicated path of holiness, and a steadfast source of strength. St. Maximilian Kolbe has inspired, and continues through his example and teachings, all believers to place their trust in Mary as the New Ark, who lovingly guides us safely to Christ, particularly during times of trial and hardship.
Mama Mary, beacon of Christ’s light and love, be with us always, guiding and protecting our hearts through every moment.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your spiritual journey! Keep at it! Keep praying. Love the Lord.
Peace and Grace.Fran Acosta,OFS
