Silent Marian retreat to provide time for Lenten reflection

Friday, Feb. 19, 2016

WEST HAVEN — The Militia of the Immaculatae of St. Mary Parish in West Haven is extending an invitation to the Diocese of Salt Lake City to join them during this Year of Mercy for a silent Marian Lenten retreat on March 12. 

During the retreat the MI also will honor Saint Maximilian Kolbe, who founded the Militia of the Immaculatae in 1917. 

Maximilian Kolbe was a Franciscan friar who became a martyr after giving up his life at Auschwitz during World War II so another prisoner with a family could live. The MI is recognizing the 75th anniversary of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s death, which occurred in 1941.

John W. Galten is the Militia Immaculatae guest speaker for the day-long retreat with the theme “In Your Place: Kolbe, Martyr of Charity and a Sign of God’s Mercy.”  He is from the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Calif., and is a past MI national vice president, retreat master for Ignatius Press, and recipient of the Newman Society ex corde ecclesia award for his contribution to Catholic higher education and a pro-life award from the Archdiocese of San Francisco. 

Galten will talk about Pope Francis’ 2016 declaration of the Year of Mercy and link it with the martyrdom of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s merciful sacrifice. 

Also speaking at the retreat will be Robert Catlin, a local lay ecclesial minister; and Father Gustavo Vidal, St. Mary pastor. 

Catlin will give a talk on mercy and how people can incorporate it into their daily lives. 

“Mercy is God’s love in action,” Catlin said. “When we are merciful, we are doing something for someone else. St. Maximilian’s willingness to die for another was a merciful action.”   

During the retreat, there will be time for silent prayer. 

Deacon Jack Clark will begin the retreat with prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. He also will lead the Angelus at noon, a holy hour and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy throughout the day. 

During the lunch hour, a segment of the DVD Ocean of Mercy will be shown; it portrays the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe. A collection of books on the saints’ writings also will be on display.

This being the Lenten season, “the MI likes to offer a silent retreat to give people time for reflection in their spiritual journey; we also want to incorporate Our Lady’s role,” said Donna Masek, retreat coordinator and a Father Kolbe volunteer of the Immaculatae.

St. Maximilian founded the MI to promote the Catholic faith through the consecration of Mary and through her title the Immaculate Conception, said Galten.

Masek and Galten will offer talks on the Consecration to Our Lady for continuing formation for those who are consecrated in the MI. 

“St. Maximilian took the Consecration, and instead of making it a private, personal devotion to Our Lady, he made it a movement,” said Masek. “It was much more powerful. We see ourselves in the MI as instruments of Our Lady ultimately bringing more souls to Christ.” 

Those desiring to seek the Rite of Consecration to Our Lady can do so following the Mass that will be celebrated at the end of the retreat. 

Fr. Vidal will conclude the retreat and also the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Mass at 5 p.m.

WHAT: Silent Marian Retreat 

WHERE: St. Mary Parish, 4050 South 3900 West, West Haven

WHEN: Saturday, March 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mass will follow.

Suggested $10 donation includes materials, a continental breakfast, refreshments and a light afternoon meal. 

For information, call Donna, 801-898-3821, www.stmarysutah.org/SSLCMercy.