Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today's Mass Readings

From Br. Maximilian’s solemn profession document.

It was 17 years ago today that I made my first profession of monastic vows. The picture below is from my solemn profession; I drew it as a mosaic at Marytown, the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe. My friend Dr. Claude Foster who wrote an extensive book on St. Maximilian Kolbe called, “Mary’s Knight: The Mission and Martyrdom of Saint Maksymilian Maria Kolbe.” He wrote in his book that when he interviewed one of the Auschwitz inmates who survived and knew Fr. Maximilian Kolbe after he died said, “As the Church sang her hymn to the Immaculata, ‘A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.’ Fr. Maximilian’s body was burnt in the Auschwitz crematorium.”

I remember 17 years ago, as I looked at the incense being burned in the thurible, I said this little prayer, “My dear heavenly patron whom I am about to take the name of, please watch over this monastic community; let us grow in numbers especially in holiness. Let us always do the will of the Immaculata so that she may draw us closer to her divine son’s Sacred Heart.” A very happy feast day of Our Lady’s Assumption! May she watch over all of you daily. 

Reflection by Br. Maximilian Burkhart, OSB