# Being an Instrument in the Hands of the Immaculate
*2018-04-21*

> Bill Young reflects on St. Maximilian Kolbe’s vision of Marian consecration, emphasizing the call to become instruments of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the conversion of the world.

## Introduction to Day 13

Welcome back to Prayer & Lunch. Today is the 13th day of our 33‑day “Morning Glory” retreat, focusing on St. Maximilian Kolbe. In the previous episode we covered Day 12; you can still listen to it on the podcast if you’d like. Day 13’s theme is “To Be an Instrument,” exploring Kolbe’s deeper understanding of Marian consecration.

## Kolbe’s Vision of Marian Consecration

Kolbe did not merely ask for graces from the Immaculate Heart; he wanted to become those graces, to be the very will of Mary. He reasoned that if people can give themselves over to Satan and become instruments of evil, they can likewise give themselves to God and become instruments of love. For Kolbe, the goal was total possession by the Holy Spirit, leading to perfect union with God’s will.

He wrote in his prayer of consecration: “Let me be a fit instrument in your Immaculate and merciful hands, for the conversion of the whole world.” This reflects his desire not only for personal sanctity but for the formation of a “militia of the Immaculate”—knights who, fully united to Mary, would ignite the faith of those around them.

## The Militia of the Immaculate

Kolbe described this militia as people who belong to Mary in the most perfect way, without reservation, so that they might enlighten and set fire to the souls in their environment. He believed that a great number of fully consecrated souls could accomplish the conversion of the world in the shortest possible time. For him, the quickest path to sainthood—and thereby to God’s kingdom—was through Marian consecration that extends beyond the individual to the whole community.

## Living the Consecration Daily

To become an instrument of the Immaculate, Kolbe taught that we must first learn to love Mary deeply. This involves relying on her powerful intercession, allowing her tender care to guide us, and trusting her completely in every circumstance. He encouraged us to rejoice in the graces we receive through her, to thank her continually, and to remember that she knows all that happens to us.

## Closing Prayer

Come, O Holy Spirit, living in Mary, prepare me to be a fit instrument in the hands of the Immaculate.

*By surrendering ourselves to Mary’s will, we become instruments of her grace, participating in the conversion of the world.*