St. Pope John Paul II remembered Kolbe's visit when he prayed in the Paris chapel in 1980:
"I come as a pilgrim, after all those who came to this chapel in 150 years, like all Christians who flock here every day to express their joy, their trust and their supplications. I come as Blessed Maximilian Kolbe: before his missionary journey to Japan, just 50 years ago, he came here to seek your support to propagate what he later called 'the Militia of the Immaculate' and undertake his prodigious work of spiritual renewal under your patronage, before giving his life for his brothers," John Paul II said.
Kolbe formed the Militia Immaculata in 1917 to "lead every individual with Mary to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus." He asked all Militia Immaculata members to wear the Miraculous Medal as a sign of their total consecration to Mary.
"Now in this epoch of the Immaculate Conception the most Blessed Virgin has given mankind the 'Miraculous Medal'. Its heavenly origin has been proven by countless miracles of healing and particularly of conversion," Kolbe wrote.
"The Immaculata herself in revealing it promised all who would wear it very many graces; and since conversion and sanctification are divine graces from God, the Miraculous Medal will be one of the best means for attaining these gifts," he said.
Kolbe also added to St. Catherine's prayer associated with the sacramental: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you." To this, Kolbe added, "and for all who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of the Church and those recommended to you. Amen."
This article was originally published on CNA Aug. 14, 2019.
Courtney Mares is a Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. A graduate of Harvard University, she has reported from news bureaus on three continents and was awarded the Gardner Fellowship for her work with North Korean refugees.