St. Maximilian Kolbe and the Most Holy Rosary

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, which was promulgated on Oct. 16, 2002 by Pope Saint John Paul II. In it, he offers the inclusion of the Luminous Mysteries. He additionally teaches, “With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary, the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer.” (RVM 1)

Though clearly Marian in its character, the Rosary ultimately provides a compendium of the Gospel message. Through this devotion, many have gained interior peace and strength to carry the crosses in daily life.

[...] The importance of the Rosary was seen and practiced by many saints. One such saint is the founder of the Militia of the Immaculata, St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe. He encourages all with aspirations such as, “A prayer both simple and sublime that the Immaculata herself indicated when she appeared in Lourdes is the Holy Rosary. May it become the sword of each knight of the Immaculata, just as the Miraculous Medal is the bullet that strikes down evil!”

St. Maximilian witnessed his faith and devotion to the Rosary even in the most challenging of situations. When he was arrested and sent to Pawiak prison in Warsaw, he was asked repeatedly by a guard if he really believed in the Rosary. Never denying it, he was beaten so fiercely that his comrades thought he was dead. He ultimately arose and encouraged all towards hope.

[...] We encourage all to pray the Rosary for peace in the world, reparation for sin and the salvation of souls.

Donna Masek, Friday, Oct. 28, 2022 

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