Day 9
Who Are You, O Immaculata?
Today, Fr. Gaitley continues our journey with St. Maximilian Kolbe by diving deeper into one of his greatest spiritual insights: the mystery of the Immaculata. Kolbe had a unique devotion to Mary under her title “The Immaculate Conception,” and he pondered what it truly meant that she not only was conceived without sin, but that she is the Immaculate Conception.
Kolbe teaches that Mary is not just someone who received grace — she is totally filled with it. Her union with the Holy Spirit is so profound that he even dared to say she is “the spouse of the Holy Spirit” in such a perfect and inseparable way that her will is completely aligned with God’s. This doesn’t make her divine — she is fully human — but it does mean that she is the most receptive creature to God’s love, and therefore the most powerful channel of His grace.
Fr. Gaitley explains that Kolbe's goal was simple: to bring all souls to Jesus through Mary by helping them give themselves entirely to her — just as he had. He believed that the more we allow Mary to possess our hearts, the more she will form us into saints.
Today’s reflection reminds us that when we give Mary permission, she takes our little offerings and, with the Holy Spirit, brings forth great things for God’s glory. She is the fastest, surest way to holiness — if we let her lead.
