The Militia Immaculatae (meaning the "Army of the Immaculate One"), called in English the Knights of the Immaculata,The Militia Immaculatae of St. Maximilian Kolbe, EWTN
/ref> is a worldwide Catholic

evangelization Evangelism, or witnessing, is the act of sharing the Christian gospel, the message and teachings of Jesus Christ. It is typically done with the intention of converting others to Christianity. Evangelism can take several forms, such as persona ...

movement founded by St.

Maximilian Kolbe Maximilian Maria Kolbe (born Raymund Kolbe; ; 8 January 1894 – 14 August 1941) was a Polish Roman Catholic priest, Conventual Franciscan friar, missionary, saint, martyr, and a Nazi concentration camp victim, who volunteered to die in place ...

in 1917.

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 The Order of Friars Minor Conventual (O.F.M. Conv.) is a male religious fraternity in the Catholic Church and a branch of the Franciscan Order. Conventual Franciscan Friars are identified by the affix O.F.M. Conv. after their names. They are ...

, Saint

."Militia of the Immaculata", Pontifical Council for the Laity
/ref> 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 Intercession or intercessory prayer is the act of prayer, praying on behalf of others, or Intercession of saints, asking a saint in heaven to pray on behalf of oneself or for others. The Apostle Paul's exhortation to Saint Timothy, Timothy speci ...

to the

Virgin Mary Mary was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Saint Joseph, Joseph and the mother of Jesus. She is an important figure of Christianity, venerated under titles of Mary, mother of Jesus, various titles such as Perpetual virginity ...

for the conversion of sinners and enemies of the Catholic Church, specifically the Freemasons, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. ''Mention Your Request Here: The Church's Most Powerful Novenas'' by Michael Dubruiel 2000 page 63 It was established as a pious union on January 2, 1922, by the

Vicariate of Rome Cardinal vicar () is a title commonly given to the vicar general of the Diocese of Rome for the portion of the diocese within Italy (i.e. excluding the portion within Vatican City). The official title, as given in the ''Annuario Pontificio'', is ...

. Joining the MI involves making a personal act of consecration to Mary. Members wear the

Miraculous Medal The Miraculous Medal (), also known as the Medal of Our Lady of Graces or the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, is a devotional medal, the design of which was originated by Catherine Labouré following her Marian apparition, apparitions of the ...

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, above all the Masons, and for the sanctification of all persons under the sponsorship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Immaculate
Mediatrix Mediatrix is a title given to Mary, mother of Jesus in Catholicism. It refers to the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a mediator by intercession in the salvific redemption by her son Jesus Christ, the one proper Mediator by action. Mediatrix ...
. - 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 In the Catholic Church, an association of the Christian faithful or simply association of the faithful (), sometimes called a public association of the faithful, is a group of baptized persons, clerics or laity or both together, who, according to ...

of pontifical right. MI claims to have over 3 million members in 48 countries. 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."Militia of the Immaculata", ''Zenit'', Vatican City, June 15, 2006

References

Bibliography

* Smith, Jeremiah J., ''Saint Maximilian Kolbe: Knight of the Immaculata'', 2008 * Manteau-Bonamy, H. M., ''Immaculate Conception and the Holy Spirit: The Marian Teachings of St. Maximilian Kolbe'', 2008

External links

Official website (in English and Italian)

M.I. center at Niepokalanów (in Polish)

Militia Immaculatæ d’observance traditionnelle
(MI France)
Centre National en France (Atelier de Marie)
{{Authority control Christian organizations established in 1917 Catholic organizations established in the 20th century Catholic Mariology Catholic orders and societies International associations of the faithful Order of Friars Minor Conventual

History

See also

References

Bibliography

External links