What is the Militia Immaculata?

The Militia of the Immaculata (MI) is a worldwide evangelization movement founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe in 1917 that encourages a total consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a means of spiritual renewal for individuals and society.

Marian consecration in the MI is a formal act of self-giving that does not stop at Mary, but is Christ-directed. It is really consecration to Jesus. The MI motto is "To lead every individual with Mary to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus."

The MI movement is open to all Catholics. It employs prayer as the main weapon in the spiritual battle with evil. MIs also immerse themselves in apostolic initiatives throughout society, either individually or in groups, to deepen the knowledge of the Gospel and our Catholic Faith in themselves and in others.

By joining the MI, members become willing instruments of Our Lady, the woman foreshadowed in Genesis 3:15. She leads them to personal sanctification, the conversion of Church opponents and ultimately the universal reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

What is Total Consecration to Mary?

Consecration means setting yourself aside for service to God. The Church has always advocated consecrating yourself to Jesus Christ through the Blessed Virgin, the perfect model of discipleship.

Perhaps the best known advocate of Marian consecration is St. Louis de Montfort (d. 1716). Modern day promoters include Pope John Paul II, who recommends an "act of entrustment" to Mary (the Holy Father's papal motto is an enthusiastic Totus Tuus - "Totally Yours.") All methods are equally worthy; Kolbean consecration differs in that it is also a corporate consecration with a clear apostolic dimension. You become a member of a larger movement dedicated to the conversion and sanctification of the world.

Is Marian Consecration Outdated?

Marian consecration is not an archaic spirituality but is a living and active means of advancing the Faith as a People of God. In 1992, Pope John Paul developed our understanding of this devotion even further. By dying for another and "consecrating his life to the Immaculate Virgin," Maximilian has become, suggests the Holy Father, a "prophet and a sign of the new era, the civilization of love." Here, John Paul is clearly endorsing the Kolbean example of Marian consecration as a critical element of his "new evangelization" for the third Christian millennium, and St. Maximilian as a primary intercessor.

Am I Ready to Consecrate Myself Totally to Mary and Join the MI?

The spirit of the MI is the spirit of continual conversion. Not everyone who enrolls as a member understands perfectly in the beginning the power of this consecration. But when lived in the spirit of willingness and humility, the Immaculata will elevate our natural gifts and inspire us to holiness and fruitful service within the Church.

As Jesus said to those who would stand up and follow him: "Even greater things than these will you do."

How do I Enroll in the MI?

A. Select the date on which you want your name recorded in the official register of the MI, preferably a Marian feast day.  You can either get a form from the MI from one of the MI centers. For a list of MI centers, click here. Or, you can fill out the form online. To fille out the form online, click here.
  

B. Prepare yourself for the day of enrollment by daily Mass if possible, the Rosary, spiritual reading.

C. If possible, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on or before the day of your enrollment, or at least within the week following.

D. On the day of your enrollment, attend Mass and receive the Eucharist. After Mass, in front of an altar or image of our Lady, recite the official act of consecration (see below). Renounce all attachment to sin and ask Jesus to give you the Plenary Indulgence the Church grants on the day of your enrollment. In this way you will be removing all obstacles to Our Lady making you her own in the Holy Spirit.

E. Finally, pray for the Pope's intentions and ask Our Lady and St. Maximilian to show you how you can best serve the Lord from this moment on.

Why Should I Join the MI?

Consecrating yourself to Mary through the ideal of St. Maximilian will be one of the most important days of your life. You will be placing yourself under the mantle of Mary's protective care as the Immaculate Conception, Mother of the Church and Mediatrix of All Graces.

Through total consecration you become a cooperator with Mary in the work of building up and renewing the Church of the third millennium. She will enlighten your mind, guide your will, empower your efforts and intercede for you in a special way before the throne of the Father.

You will also share in the intercessory prayers of the Militia Immaculata religious communities, who pray daily for the success of the MI movement and the sanctification of its members.

Finally, you will have the support that comes from being a part of the international movement of spirituality. You will have access to Militia Immaculata conferences and resource materials, to its national magazine, Immaculata, and to regular mailings from the national office on how to better live out your consecration.

MI Prayer of Marian Consecration
(Composed by St. Maximilian Kolbe)

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, (name), 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 the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

   V. Allow me to praise you, O Sacred Virgin
   R. Give me strength against your enemies

List of MI centers in the United States

To join the Militia Immaculata, mail in the attached enrollment form to one of these Canonical MI Centers:

MI National Center
Marytown
1600 W. Park Avenue
Libertyville, IL 60048-2593
847-367-7800

Spes Nostra MI Center
Fr. Kolbe Missionaries
531 E. Merced Avenue
West Covina, CA 91790
818-917-0040

Kolbe-Marian MI Center
66 School Street
Granby, MA 01033
413-467-9190

Kolbe MI Center
Box 667
Valatie, NY 12184
518-758-7898

Sisters Minor of Mary Immaculate MI Center
305 Washington Blvd.
Stamford, CT 06902

The History of the Militia Immaculata

The Militia Immaculata began on October 16, 1917, around a table at the Conventual Franciscan seminary in Rome. Maximilian Kolbe gathered together six like-minded young friars before a statue of the Blessed Virgin and drafter a charter that would establish one of the most influential Marian apostolates ever. The charter still serves as a blueprint of spiritual progress for MI members today.

The Original Charter of the MI

I. Purpose of the Knights
Pursue the conversion of every person living in sin, heresy, schism and especially Freemasonry, and the growth in holiness of all persons, under the sponsorship of Mary Immaculate.

II. Conditions for Membership
1. Make a voluntary and total oblation of oneself to Mary Immaculate as an instrument in her most holy hands.
2. Carry or wear the Miraculous Medal.
3. Have one's name placed on the register of the Pious Union of Rome at the Primary Center or at some canonically erected Affiliated Center.

III. Means of the Apostolate
1. Once a day, if possible, beseech the Immaculata with the ejaculation: "O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all who do not have recourse to you, expecially for the Freemasons."
2. Use all the legitimate means that one's particular state in life, condition, and varying opportunities make possible, the choice of which is left to the zeal and prudence of each member, and especially, propagate the Miraculous Medal.

This information came from the pamphlet that the National Center of the Militia Immaculata sends out for people to sign up to join the MI. Their web site can be found at: http://www.marytown.org/

You can now sign up online!

More information:
Knights at the Foot of the Cross
St. Maximilian Kolbe