“Before long we will know exactly what paradise will be like. Surely in a hundred years none of us will be walking on this earth (…). In a little while, then, provided we prepare ourselves well, under the protection of the Immaculate.” (St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe)
Today’s phrase is very timely for this first Saturday of the month, a day that the Catholic Church dedicates in a special way to the Virgin Mary. The Mother of God is highly venerated and loved, and many of the faithful rely on her intercession and take her as their spiritual guide, as did St. Maximilian Kolbe. Indeed, Mary is particularly loved by the heavenly Father, who has uniquely included her in the plan of salvation. Moreover, she was the first disciple of her divine Son, and He, from the cross, gave her as a mother to St. John, who “From that hour took her into his own home.” (Jn 19:27). The Church has always understood that Mary is also the mother of the Mystical Body of Christ, that is, the Church.
In today’s phrase, St. Maximilian wants to focus our attention on the essential. As long as we are on earth, it is not for us to explore the mysteries of heaven or to occupy ourselves excessively with things that are still hidden from us. Rather, it is up to us to prepare ourselves well for eternity by seeking Our Lady’s help.
To do this, we can, for example, follow the advice of St. Leonard of Porto Maurizio: every morning upon awakening and every night before going to sleep, the devotee of Mary should pray three Hail Marys in honor of her immaculate purity, offer her all his senses and all the powers of his soul, so that she may guard them as a possession consecrated to her, and ask her for the grace not to fall into sin during that day or that night.
Our Father will surely be pleased if we honor the Virgin Mary in this way.