St Clare of Assisi (11th August - died 1253 AD)  and Saint  Maximillian Kolbe (14th August) and the Assumption of Mary (15th August)

This is a pretty busy week for saints and feast days.

St Clare was a remarkable young woman who turned away from a materialistic life and, together with St Francis of Assisi, built religious orders that continue to inspire our world today, especially with regard to their dedication to a life of poverty and caring for the environment. Both the Poor Clares and the Franciscans have monasteries on Narellen Road opposite the University. 

Maximilian Kolbe was another Franciscan Friar, although he is quite a new saint. He was imprisoned during WWII under the Nazi Regime for opposing the Nazis and promoting devotion to Mary and Jesus. When some prisoners escaped the guards gathered the remaining prisoners and told them that several of them would be executed. One of the prisoners asked for mercy, saying that he was a father and he needed to be with his children after the war. Maximillian Kolbe stepped forward and asked the guards to kill him instead, since he was a priest. The Nazis starved the prisoners to death but Maximiliian would not die and continued to sing hymns and encourage the others to be joyful. In the end, the Nazis killed Maximillian with a lethal injection. Maximilllian’s bravery was not born in a day but the product of a life lived in the service of Christ and others. 

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was assumed body and soul into heaven after her death, as a reward for never sinning and living an amazing life as the mother and carer of Jesus and the wife of Joseph. Mary has already received what we will all receive, which is the resurrection of our bodies after the final judgement. Mary continuously directs us, like a signpost, to “ ..do whatever he (Jesus) tells you..” (John2) as she said to the servants at the wedding feast at Cana. The Feast of the Assumption is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church and Catholics are encouraged to attend mass if they are able to.

Prayer:

Lord , we pray that we may be inspired by the faith and life of Saints Clare and Maximillian and the devotion, love and obedience of our Mother Mary, as we strive to live lives of love and compassion in our world. 

St Clare: Pray for us

St Maximillian: Pray for us

Saint Mary Magdalene: Pray for us

Mother Mary: Pray for us