Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe was a Polish Conventual Franciscan priest, founder of the Militia Immaculatae, and a martyr of charity at Auschwitz. He composed this act of consecration as a complete offering of oneself to the Immaculata, his customary title for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Catholics pray it to entrust their lives, works, sufferings, and apostolate to Mary so that she may lead them more perfectly to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The opening invocation asks Saint Maximilian’s intercession, especially when seeking courage, purity of intention, missionary zeal, or sacrificial love. His feast is celebrated on August 14, the day before the Assumption.
Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, pray for us.
O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you. I, N., a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet, humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death, and eternity, whatever most pleases you.
If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: “She will crush your head,” and, “You alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world.” Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever you enter you obtain graces of conversion and sanctification. For it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
V. Allow me to praise you, O Sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against your enemies.
When to pray it: Pray this when seeking Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s intercession or when renewing your consecration to the Immaculata.
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