In the face of death, ...

One of the most heroic acts of the twentieth century reached its conclusion on August 14, 1941. That is when the Franciscan friar, Maximilian Kolbe, lifted up his arm to receive a lethal injection of carbolic acid.

When I look at his dear, holy face, his calm countenance in the face of death, I hear the word "prepare." That is what he is telling me at work everyday, (I have his picture on my cubicle wall.) Having read another bio on him, I pray to him now for our family and all my friends and their families, because we're in for a "shake down" and a "massive housecleaning" in the Catholic Church of America. While the world has been turned upside down, and it appears Obama is going to sign FOCA into play, (from what I've heard lately) OUR LADY is our Hope. She tells us to cling to her mantle, and NOT to fear. This is a scary time, feelings of fear WILL come, but we're safe next to Her Heart. It may be scary, yet it's also a time of exhilaration for the faithful, for the Church. The "separation of the men from the boys" is underway. Pray for our priests! This thorough housecleaning is a good thing. We need pruning as any garden or fruit tree needs pruning. As painful as it will be, we need it because this is keeping the faithful ever more diligent in prayer and penance and THAT is what we need, for the salvation of souls. I pray for Obama daily. I've never prayed for a president before on a daily basis, so this is a GOOD thing, and no matter what befalls us, we have no need to fear, for no one can take away our Lord from us, if He indeed resides in us! Mama Mary Most Holy is our Hope and our Light to keep us close to Jesus. Hang on, and let the bumps and blows that come, not knock us down in defeat, but give us the "wounds of Christ" to offer up for all the sinners every where, in the universal Church and within our home and our families. I've never had such a burning desire to go adore our Lord and I know St Maximilian is praying for us to "endure with hope, joy and love." If he could welcome and greet with kindness his those who tortured him, we can "greet" Obama in prayer every day and pray for his misguided soul. I do believe we're in for a very long 4 years, but it's God's will so greet it with a smile. And even if we perish on this earth, at the hands of our enemies, our home's in heaven anyway, and they can't take that away from us, unless we let them by falling into despair." Mary, keep us faithful to you, to our cross and to our Lord. May we never be separated from your Immaculate Heart." St Maximilian, pray for us!

The most deadly poison of our times is indifference. And this happens, although the praise of God should know no limits. Let us strive, therefore, to praise Him to the greatest extent of our powers.

....Saint Maximilian Kolbe