*Originally published "Go Into My Vineyard!" Spes Nostra July-August 1995: 2. Print.
The Church on earth is by its very nature missionary (AG 2). In order to accomplish his plan of salvation, God willed to need us: He made us his collaborators. In every age he called many people to be priests, missionaries, consecrated persons so that by their example, word, and above all the offering of their whole lives, his redemptive work might be brought to all people and nations.
The call of the Lord is also addressed to every person who lives in this world...
Consecration to Mary draws us in a deeper way into mission. Therefore, it is not just for our personal sanctification ,but it becomes a calling to work for the sanctification of others.
... Christ's cry for souls reverberated in Mary's heart, and she continues to communicate it to all her children. This is the dynamic dimension of consecration which St. Maximilian perceived and developed and which unites the Militia Immaculatae movement to the very mission of the Church.
Therefore, consecration to the Immaculata in the Kolbean spirituality is clearly a total offering of ourselves "with apostolic intent." The true experience of consecration leads us to radiate the presence of Mary around us.
Those who consecrate themselves to Mary and experience her strength in temptations and her consolation in difficulties feel the desire to share their joy with others so that they too may be drawn to Mary.
Where is our apostolic field?
Fr Kolbe answers: "Let everyone regard his surroundings, relatives, acquaintances, working companions, place of residence as the territory of his mission to win all for the Immaculata, and to this end let every influence and capacity be employed."
Through our consecration Mary not only calls us to share deeply in her mission of giving Christ to the world, but she realized it through us.
What means are we to use to collaborate with her?
"By good example we draw our brother closer to us, by prayer, sacrifice, patience, the grace of divine guidance, by external works the task is perfected. Therefore, the Militia Immaculatae employs every means that is lawful and just that leads to the desired end."
The Church confirms: "During the celebration of the Eucharist these sacrifices are most lovingly offered to the Father along with the Lord's Body. Thus as worshippers whose every deed is holy, the lay faithful consecrate the world itself to God. (Lumen Gentium 34)"
What is the ultimate goal of all this?
"It is a matter of deepening more fervently the love of the creature toward the Creator."
If we work together in the vineyard of the Lord, we are sure that the whole world will be transformed and that God will revive the hearts of mankind, triumphing over error and sin in view of the definitive coming of his Kingdom. For this reason, I invite you to offer everything you have the salvation of all: your time, love, and your live. Do this with the Immaculata! Do this in the footsteps of St. Maximilian!
Go into the Vineyard: Pray for Vocations!
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