Day 14
Allow Mary to transform us
Today’s reflection centers on the heart of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s spirituality: his beautiful and radical prayer of consecration to Mary. For Kolbe, this prayer wasn’t merely devotional — it was a powerful act of trust and surrender. It was an invitation for Mary to take complete possession of his life, so that every breath, word, and action might belong to her and be used for the glory of God.
Fr. Gaitley unpacks Kolbe’s famous words: “Receive me, Mary, as your property and possession.” This may sound strong, but Kolbe understood that love doesn’t hold back. He didn’t want to reserve any part of himself; he wanted to be completely hers — mind, will, body, soul, past, present, and future.
The prayer is not just about belonging, but about being used — as an instrument, a vessel, a servant of love. It expresses total confidence that Mary, who is full of grace and wisdom, knows best how to use us for God’s purposes. She never abuses or wastes what we give her; she elevates and multiplies it, always directing it to Jesus.
Consecration, then, is an act of humility and trust. It’s saying, “I don’t need to be in control — I want to be in your hands, Mary.” When we make this prayer from the heart, we allow Mary to transform us into powerful channels of grace and mercy in the world.
