M
MariaChristi
Guest
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In re-reading the book Immaculate Conception and the Holy Spirit: Marian Teachings of St. Maximilian Kolbe by H. M. Manteau-Bonamy, I was struck especially by Kolbe’s insights into God’s design in sending Jesus into the womb of Immaculate Mary and continuing to send all His graces through her. There is nothing new in that teaching for the Church has been teaching for centuries that Mary is Mother of God and because of her Divine Maternity, she is also our mother in the order of grace. The Catechism teaches this clearly in paragraphs 963 - 976.
What struck me throughout this little book was St. Maximilian’s appreciation for the unique union of the Holy Spirit with Mary, such that the word “spouse” which names the most intimate of relationships cannot express adequately the union of Mary with the Holy Spirit when we name her “Spouse of the Holy Spirit”. When the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, at the Annunciation she was already “full of grace” yet as the Holy Spirit formed Jesus within her, Mary became more and more beautiful than we can imagine. She who was always without sin continued to grow in faith, hope and above all charity, and the flame of charity within her Immaculate Heart was like the burning bush which did not consume but which reflected increasingly the pure love of God. The most amazing part of his understanding to me was how Mary in her love for God and in her love for us intercedes for the purity of our hearts so faithfully and individually. How important it is for us to be in union with her to glorify God!
In 1940, Fr. Kolbe wrote:
Another quote touched me deeply:
Immaculate Heart of Mary, thank you for your love and faithfulness. Pray for us, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
In re-reading the book Immaculate Conception and the Holy Spirit: Marian Teachings of St. Maximilian Kolbe by H. M. Manteau-Bonamy, I was struck especially by Kolbe’s insights into God’s design in sending Jesus into the womb of Immaculate Mary and continuing to send all His graces through her. There is nothing new in that teaching for the Church has been teaching for centuries that Mary is Mother of God and because of her Divine Maternity, she is also our mother in the order of grace. The Catechism teaches this clearly in paragraphs 963 - 976.
What struck me throughout this little book was St. Maximilian’s appreciation for the unique union of the Holy Spirit with Mary, such that the word “spouse” which names the most intimate of relationships cannot express adequately the union of Mary with the Holy Spirit when we name her “Spouse of the Holy Spirit”. When the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, at the Annunciation she was already “full of grace” yet as the Holy Spirit formed Jesus within her, Mary became more and more beautiful than we can imagine. She who was always without sin continued to grow in faith, hope and above all charity, and the flame of charity within her Immaculate Heart was like the burning bush which did not consume but which reflected increasingly the pure love of God. The most amazing part of his understanding to me was how Mary in her love for God and in her love for us intercedes for the purity of our hearts so faithfully and individually. How important it is for us to be in union with her to glorify God!
In 1940, Fr. Kolbe wrote:
It reminded me of Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta encouraging her sisters to ask Mary to “lend them her heart” and why Mother Teresa made the Feast of the Immaculate Heart the titular feast for the Missionaries of Charity.
Another quote touched me deeply:
I’m sorry I cannot express this better but perhaps some of you who have also read from St. Maximilian Kolbe can add to this, or can express better what I am saying so poorly.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, thank you for your love and faithfulness. Pray for us, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.