Militia Immaculatae

Last updated
Maximilian Kolbe commemorated on a West German stamp from 1973. Issued by Deutsche Bundespost DBP 1973 771 Maximilian Kolbe.jpg
Maximilian Kolbe commemorated on a West German stamp from 1973. Issued by Deutsche Bundespost
Militia Immaculatae
TypeAssociation of the faithful
EstablishedOctober 16, 1917
Religious affiliationCatholic Church
FounderSt. Maximilian Kolbe, OFM Conv.
Post-nominalsMI
Website https://militiaoftheimmaculata.com/


The Militia Immaculatae (meaning the "Army of the Immaculate One"), called in English the Knights of the Immaculata, [1] [2] is a worldwide Catholic evangelization movement founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe in 1917. [3]

Contents

History

The Militia of the Immaculata (or MI) was founded in Rome at the St. Bonaventure Pontifical Theological Faculty (now the International College of the Conventual Franciscans) by a Conventual Franciscan, Saint Maximilian Kolbe. [4] Kolbe presented the idea of forming the MI to his Jesuit spiritual director, as well as to his Franciscan Superior at the house of studies in Rome, and was encouraged to proceed. The MI is open to all Catholics and encourages intercession to the Virgin Mary for the conversion of sinners and enemies of the Catholic Church through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. [5]

It was established as a pious union on January 2, 1922, by the Vicariate of Rome. [4]

Joining the MI involves making a personal act of consecration to Mary. Members wear the Miraculous Medal as an outward sign of their consecration.

The purpose of the Knights is contained in these words: to do all you can for the conversion of sinners, heretics, schismatics and so on. - Fr. Maximilian Kolbe, 1938.

The association grew and spread to different countries. On October 16, 1997, the Pontifical Council for the Laity decreed the "Milizia dell'Immacolata" to be an international association of the faithful of pontifical right. [6] MI claims to have over 3 million members in 48 countries. [4]

The organization publishes Miles Immaculatae, a six-monthly magazine of Marian culture and Kolbian formation. Founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe, specifically for priests and pastoral workers, it is now the official publication of the International Center. [6] In addition to this periodical, the Militia Immaculatae promotes devotional and catechetical booklets such as its official prayer book Glory to God Through the Immaculata! and the consecration guide Behold Your Mother!, and has also been associated with scriptural editions such as an Immaculata Version of the New Testament. [7] [8] [9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ The Militia Immaculatae of St. Maximilian Kolbe, EWTN
  2. ↑ "Militia Immaculatae - Knight of the Immaculate". 19 September 2019.
  3. ↑ Josemaria, Anthony.The Blessed Virgin Mary in England Vol. 1 2008 ISBN   0-595-50074-9 p. 411
  4. 1 2 3 "Militia of the Immaculata", Pontifical Council for the Laity
  5. ↑ Mention Your Request Here: The Church's Most Powerful Novenas by Michael Dubruiel 2000 ISBN   0-87973-341-1 page 63
  6. 1 2 "Militia of the Immaculata", Zenit, Vatican City, June 15, 2006 Archived July 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ "Glory to God Through the Immaculata! The Official Prayer Book of the Militia of the Immaculata, USA". Militia of the Immaculata USA.
  8. ↑ "Behold Your Mother! The Pathway to Total Consecration". Militia of the Immaculata USA.
  9. ↑ "New Testament: Immaculata Version". Amazon.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.