†MI Introduction Information
†Daily MI Renewal Prayers
MI RENEWS
FATHER KOLBE MISSIONARIES
FATHER KOLBE MISSIONARIES
OF THE IMMACULATA
THE FKMI AND WHAT THEY DO
THE FATHER KOLBE MISSIONARIES OF THE IMMACULATA is a Secular Institute of Pontifical Right, founded in Bologna, Italy in 1954 by Father Luigi M. Faccenda, OFM Conv. It is because of this Franciscan Friar that maxMary was able to encounter the spirituality
and devotion of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in California for the first time in 2005. We are for-
FKMI ARE LAY CONSECRATED WOMEN LIVING POVERTY, CHASTITY, AND OBEDIENCE in whatever circum-stance (of life) God places them. They are called to transform the world from within as hidden workers of good. The total offering of self to Mary Immaculate in the spirit of St. Maximilian Kolbe is the specific
ever grateful to this man and for his love and faithfulness to the Immaculata.
means for living out their vocation. This Marian consecration is the defining character and source for their profound communion with God, his Church, and all peoples with whom they live, work and worship.
"It is Mary's mission to draw man to Jesus Christ, because she is the Mediatrix between human corruption and divine transcendence, because of the Incarnation of the Son of God."
†Fr. Luigi Faccenda, OFM Conv.
FATHER KOLBE MISSIONARIES OF THE IMMACULATA are dedicated to bringing the love of Mary, Mother of God, and the strength of the faith to youth and families. Committed to providing a safe environment, whether in their own ministry center or other locations. Always seeking compliance with civil, Church, and natural law according to our Constitu-tions and Judeo-Christian traditions.
THEY LIVE TO HELP PROMOTE THE TOTAL CONSECRATION TO MARY IMMACULATE in the spirit of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe for the happiness and holiness of all people. Central to this mission is the offering of preparation and ongoing formation for this consecration to all age groups in English and Spanish. Also helping to foster personal development, offer faith formation, give spiritual support, and proclaim the Gospel using all means in their disposal.
"WE ARE TO LEAD ALL SOULS TO THE IMMACULATA."
†St. Maximilian M. Kolbe , OFM Conv.
Serving youth, young adults, adults, and
families through various initiatives, including:
†Families to the Max
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†Teens to the Max
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†MI Women's Group
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†MI Spanish meetings , retreats, and spiritual conferences
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†Series on discernment, healing, and other spiritual relevant topics.
Also....
FATHER KOLBE VOLUNTEERS OF THE IMMACULATA are associated lay or clerical members who share in the spirituality and mission of the (FKMI) Institute according to their state in life.
—WAYS TO GIVE TO HELP THE CAUSE OF MARY IMMACULATE
Support this Catholic mission...
Monthly Envelopes: The Father Kolbe Missionaries will send you12 envelopes to be eturnedith your monthly donation. Check payable to the Father Kolbe Missionaries.
On-Line: Online donation is made easy. Just go to www.fkmprojects.weebly.com to make your one-time donation or month pledge to the Father Kolbe Missionaries.
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Amazon Smile: Go to Amazon Smile www.amazonsmile.com and choose Father Kolbe Missionaries as your designated charity. A percentage of your purchase will be sent to the Father Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata.
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Vehicle Donation: It is a simple and no hassle!
Go to www.cardonatingiseasy.com and choose the Father Kolbe Missionaries as your designated charity. They will pick up your car, boat, trailer, etc. and send a donation directly to the Father Kolbe Missionaries.
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Legacy: Include the Father Kolbe Missionaries in your will or trust.
†All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
††The Father Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
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531 E. Merced Avenue
West Covina, CA 91790
(626) 917-0040
FATHER LUIGI M. FACCENDA, OFM CONV.
FATHER LUIGI M. FACCENDA, OFM CONV.
SECOND MAXIMILIAN / FOUNDER OF THE FKMI
A Life For God and All People
August 24, 1920 - October 9, 2005
BIOGRAPHY - FRANCISCAN, PRIEST, APOSTLE, FOUNDER
FATHER LUIGI FACCENDA (BAPTIZED MARIO), son MARIO), son of Augusta and Olimpio Faccenda, was born in San Benedetto Val di Sambro (Bologna, Italy) on August 24, 1920. At 12, he began his Franciscan formation and theological studies, despite various health problems, at the Friars Minor Conventual seminary in Faenza.
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He began his novitiate in Assisi in 1937, on August 12, 1938 he made his simple Profession, and in 1941, in Faenza, his solemn Profession of Vows. He was ordained a priest in the same city on May 18, 1944. From 1945 to 1979 he was the regional director of the Militia of the Immaculata (MI) for the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna.
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Father Faccenda, in the footsteps of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, tirelessly promoted multiple evangelization and Marian spirituality initiatives. He always kept in step with the signs of the times and the journey of the Church. Convinced of the positive use of the media in the service of the Gospel, in 1946 he gave life to a flourishing publishing house, "Edizioni dell'Immacolata" (Immaculata Press), with the magazine Milizia Mariana (today Missione Maria).
He established the Father Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata in 1954, on the insistence of three young women of the Militia of the Immaculata. They wished to give themselves totally to God in a Marian lifestyle, according to the evangelizing spirit of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe. The Institute received the blessing of the pastors of the Church of Bologna (Cardinals Lercaro, Poma, Biffi) and, in 1992, the definitive approval as a Secular Institute of Pontifical Right by the Holy Father, Pope St. John Paul II.
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In 1969, he accepted Pope St. Paul VI's invitation to evangelize Latin America and sent the first Missionaries to Argentina. In the following years, other missions opened: United States of America (1983), Bolivia, Luxembourg, Poland, and Brazil.
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The Father Kolbe Volunteers of the Immaculata were born in 1988. They are lay or clergy associated to the institute who share in its spirituality and mission.
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On May 17, 1995, the Pontifical Theological Faculty of St. Bonaventure in Roma, with the approval of the Congregation for Catholic Education, conferred on him the degree ad honored in Sacred Theology for his contribution to the deepening and spreading of the Marian through of Saint Maximilian.
On February 11, 1997, in Brazil, together with his confrere Fr. Sebastian Quaglio, the Father Kolbe Missionary Men of the Immaculata was founded.
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In 2004, Father Faccenda had the joy of celebrating his 60th anniversary of the priest-hood and the 50th anniversary of the Fr. Kolbe Missionaries.
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In the summer of 2005, his already precarious health worsened. On Sunday morning, October 9, 2005 in the House of the Immaculata in Borgonuovo (Bologna), Father Faccenda entered eternity.
BUILDERS OF THE PRESENT
BUILDERS OF THE PRESENT
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FUTURE
FATHER LUIGI FACCENDA was an apostle and missionary who felt the urgency to proclaim the joy of belonging to Christ and conquer others to his love, using all possible means: words of mouth, preaching, catechisms, publishing, but above all, attention to the individual's specific story whom he wished to lead to God through Mary, the Immaculata.
His words, writings, and teachings continue to trace paths for today and tomorrow, because "the Spirit does not know the material law of aging but evolves continuously" (St. Maximilian M. Kolbe).
FAITH IN MAN – "The radical impulse of my passion and the dynamism of all my actions has been faith in the truth and in the dignity of each person. In all people, I have seen the reflection of God. With the love of a Father, friend and brother, God gives life, salvation, and the wealth of his gifts. He walks with humanity and with vigilant care he opens the door of his heart and mercy. I believe in humanity because I traced the footsteps of God-made-man."
Father Luigi Faccenda in his own words...
LOVE TOWARDS MARY – "Mary took me by the hand and has shown herself at every moment as Mother and teacher. She has allowed me to overcome trials, pains, and battles, and saved my vocation and priesthood, by assisting every step of my arduous journey. This has been Our Lady for me, and so will be for each of us, if we place our trust and every hope in her."
KOLBEAN HERITAGE – "I 'fell in love' with Father Kolbe because of his martyrdom, his total dedication to all people and life, and his great love towards the Immaculata. I asked myself where this priest found the strength to fully live his priesthood and the answer came when I discovered what he meditated on since his youth, his ideal: Bring every person to God and thus to salvation, through the Immaculata. This passion for humanity became my passion, too."
APOSTOLIC AND MISSIONARY CREATIVITY – "I believe is important to have the capacity to grasp and courageously take on new paths of evangelization. We must immerse ourselves in the reality of the world to share the evangelical message with deep missionary creativity with all our brothers and sisters, putting all our efforts at Mary's service to bring once more God among us and us to God."
CONTEMPLATION AND ACTION – "The nature of consecration to the Immaculata calls us to cultivate the most profound interior life, until we arrive at contem-plation and action...Live in contempla-tion and action, not just contemplation, not just action, but one next to the other, so that nothing is lost in the vineyard of the Lord."
SPIRITUAL FATHERHOOD – "I became your father in Christ Jesus' (1 For 4:15). This is the fatherhood that I 'claim' in your regard. A fatherhood that gener-ates, guides the journey to sanctity, helps you to get back on track, and supports the fidelity to the charism of the (Fr. Kolbe Missionaries) Institute."
