Confraternity of the Life of Mary - Mariae Vitae Sodalitas
This Confraternity is partially inspired by the vision of Mateczka, Maria Franciszka Kozlowska, foundress of the Mariavite movement, to whom was revealed "the adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the help of Mary as the ultimate salvation”. Indeed the worship of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to his most holy mother are the distinguishing badge of all true Catholics and the means by which members of this confraternity endeavour to work out their own salvation as well as to further the salvific work of God in the world. The Mariavites refer to their charism as the "Work of Great Mercy" and truly the ability to recognise and worship Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to love His Mother and trust in her assistance, is a great work of mercy and divine grace in any soul. But more that that, the Mariavite impulse is to carry this "Great Work of Mercy" out into the world, to make God's unconditional love and mercy more widely known and to present Mary, the Mother of Divine Grace and Perpetual Help, to every soul in need of salvation. Members of this Confraternity are also called to mission, yet we are ever mindful of the words of St Francis, "Preach the Gospel and if necessary use words". More powerful than words are lives oriented towards prayer, joy, humility and service.
This is a spirituality which can and must be lived within the context of normal everyday life, as Mariavite priest, Br Pawel K.M.P. Rudnicki, so beautifully explained, ..... "the most important Mariavite task . .... means becoming aware of and drawing conclusions from the fact that the inner development, called by some spiritual, by others mystical, is not limited to those separated from the world by the walls of contemplative monasteries. Rather, it not only can, but should become an aspiration of all Christians, by imitating the life of the Mother of God, Mary of Nazareth, to be able, as she was, to be an ordinary human being outwardly; to be with joyful people, as she was at the Wedding at Cana; and also with those who weep, as she was on the Way of the Cross; to fulfill their duties in the world as she fulfilled hers, the ordinary duties of a housekeeper, wife and mother. And at the same time to develop sainthood in themselves, with all their power. Let us not be afraid of the word “Sainthood”. Mariavitism is the imitation of the life of Mary (in Latin, Mariae Vita). Outward ordinariness – inner sainthood. After Mary, the first person who chose this way in the present times and showed it to us was St. Maria Franciszka Kozlowska – our Mateczka.”
In founding the Mariavite Congregation Mateczka drew on her own Franciscan tradition as well as Carmelite and Redemptorist spirituality, all of which are likewise sources of inspiration to our own Confraternity.
This is a spirituality which can and must be lived within the context of normal everyday life, as Mariavite priest, Br Pawel K.M.P. Rudnicki, so beautifully explained, ..... "the most important Mariavite task . .... means becoming aware of and drawing conclusions from the fact that the inner development, called by some spiritual, by others mystical, is not limited to those separated from the world by the walls of contemplative monasteries. Rather, it not only can, but should become an aspiration of all Christians, by imitating the life of the Mother of God, Mary of Nazareth, to be able, as she was, to be an ordinary human being outwardly; to be with joyful people, as she was at the Wedding at Cana; and also with those who weep, as she was on the Way of the Cross; to fulfill their duties in the world as she fulfilled hers, the ordinary duties of a housekeeper, wife and mother. And at the same time to develop sainthood in themselves, with all their power. Let us not be afraid of the word “Sainthood”. Mariavitism is the imitation of the life of Mary (in Latin, Mariae Vita). Outward ordinariness – inner sainthood. After Mary, the first person who chose this way in the present times and showed it to us was St. Maria Franciszka Kozlowska – our Mateczka.”
In founding the Mariavite Congregation Mateczka drew on her own Franciscan tradition as well as Carmelite and Redemptorist spirituality, all of which are likewise sources of inspiration to our own Confraternity.
from the writings of Mateczka
“In the year 93, on August 2nd, after hearing the Holy Mass and receiving the Holy Communion, I was suddenly taken away from my senses and placed before the Divine Majesty. Unimaginable light overtook my soul and it was then showed to me: the general corruption of the world and the end times – then the moral decay among clergy and the sins the Priests commit. – I saw God’s Justice aimed at punishing the world and his Mercy giving the perishing world, as the last means of rescue, the Veneration of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the help of Mary. After a moment of silence, the Lord spoke: “As a means of spreading this Veneration, I wish that a Congregation of Priests be established under the name of the Mariavites.” “
“On the octave of the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary (1903) Lord Jesus showed me the glory the Saints give to Him in Heaven and said: “I wish that people on the earth give me such Glory in the Most Blessed Sacrament, joining the Saints; so that the earth may become a reflection of heaven.”
Blessed Maria Franciszka Kozlowska
“On the octave of the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary (1903) Lord Jesus showed me the glory the Saints give to Him in Heaven and said: “I wish that people on the earth give me such Glory in the Most Blessed Sacrament, joining the Saints; so that the earth may become a reflection of heaven.”
Blessed Maria Franciszka Kozlowska
"Gratitude of the soul for the grace of vocation and her continuous prayer must be like a hymn of thankfulness and worship of God.
A worthy response to the grace of vocation is the internal and external imitation of Jesus Christ.
Just as the the first apostles answered their own call (vocation); and later the great reformer of the church, holy Francis of Assisi, so the realisation of The Work of Mercy (OPUS MISERICORDIAE) which signifies the last reform of Christ’s Church. To this reformation God himself has called us!
The most important goal of our monastic community is the worship and imitation of Jesus Christ in His infinite eucharistic humility, in His sacrifice and in His incomparable Love for humanity. - Souls, who enter other monastic communities, may see their sacrifice mainly for the benefit of their own eternal redemption, but we Mariavites have to put away any kind of personal interest, even this eternal interest. Our only one duty and guiding thought is the pure intention to give glory to this mystery of love in the sacrament of the altar."
Blessed Maria Franciszka Kozlowska (Letter 16)
A worthy response to the grace of vocation is the internal and external imitation of Jesus Christ.
Just as the the first apostles answered their own call (vocation); and later the great reformer of the church, holy Francis of Assisi, so the realisation of The Work of Mercy (OPUS MISERICORDIAE) which signifies the last reform of Christ’s Church. To this reformation God himself has called us!
The most important goal of our monastic community is the worship and imitation of Jesus Christ in His infinite eucharistic humility, in His sacrifice and in His incomparable Love for humanity. - Souls, who enter other monastic communities, may see their sacrifice mainly for the benefit of their own eternal redemption, but we Mariavites have to put away any kind of personal interest, even this eternal interest. Our only one duty and guiding thought is the pure intention to give glory to this mystery of love in the sacrament of the altar."
Blessed Maria Franciszka Kozlowska (Letter 16)
Glory be to you Most Holy Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all your churches in the whole world. We praise you, we give you thanks, we offer you reparation and beseech you to convert the world and have mercy for it. Blessed be the holy and immaculate conception of the Most Blessed Mary, Mother of God. Amen.
(St Francis, from the Mariavite Breviary)
(St Francis, from the Mariavite Breviary)
Collect for the Feast of Blessed Maria Franciszka Kozlowska, V. - 23rd August
Almighty God, who called Thy servant Maria Franciszka to proclaim the way of salvation through devotion to the Most Holy Sacrament and the help of Mary, may we who honour her, faithfully follow her teaching and trust in her prayers before Thy throne of Great Mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.