Maximilian Monday: Litany of St. Maximilian Kolbe

I wanted to do something a little bit different this week. Instead of providing an excerpt of St. Maximilian Kolbe's writings, I would like to present a Litany in his honor. For those who might not understand what a litany is, "A litany is a well-known and much appreciated form of responsive petition, used in public liturgical services, and in private devotions, for common necessities of the Church, or in calamities — to implore God's aid or to appease His just wrath."(From NewAdvent.org, which has even more information on litanies). I found this particular litany at Marytown, the website for the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe. 

P: Lord, have mercy on us    ALL: Lord, have mercy on us
P: Christ, have mercy on us    ALL: Christ, have mercy on us
P: Lord, have mercy on us    ALL: Lord, have mercy on us

God, our Father in heaven,    Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the World,    Have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit,    Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God,    Have mercy on us
Immaculate Mary, Mother of the Savior,    Pray for us
St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe,    Pray for us...

Brave Knight of the Immaculata Pray for us...
Heroic Son of Poland ...
Man of living Faith ...
Obedient Son of St. Francis...
Poor and Humble Friar...
Example of Angelic Purity...
Great Lover of our Eucharistic Lord...
Consecrant of Our Lady...
Faithful Priest...
Model of Religious Life...
Servant of the Church...
Marian Mystic...
Zealous Missionary...
Modern Evangelist...
True Ecumenist...
Brilliant Apologist...
Christian Journalist...
Educator of Youth...
Promoter of the Mass Media...
Spokesman of Christian Values...
Defender of Human Dignity...
Promoter of the Miraculous Medal...
Minister of Refugees...
Friend of the Homeless...
Hero of Auschwitz...
Victim of Violence and Hatred...
Provider for the Hungry...
Preacher to the Hopeless...
Companion of the Imprisoned...
Comforter of the Sick...
Consoler of the Dying...
Instrument of Peace and Reconciliation...
Man for Others...
Victim of Planned Extermination...
Martyr of Charity...
Intercessor of the Addicted...
Friend to those with Eating Disorders...
Protector of Family Life...
Inspiration to Volunteers...
Patron of Pro-life...
Patron of our Difficult Age...
Prophet and Sign of the Civilization of Love...

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the World, Have mercy on us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the World, Have mercy on us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the World, Grant us peace

LET US PRAY: Merciful God, you raised up St. Maximilian Kolbe to the glory of your saints. Grant that we, through his heroic example and the powerful intercession of this Martyr of Charity, may always serve you in charity shown to our brothers and sisters. Grant the grace we need always to seek to accomplish the greatest glory of God in all that we do.

P: We ask this through Christ our Lord.       ALL: Amen.

You may or may not know that St. Maximilian Kolbe is the Patron Saint of the pro-life movement. He is a shining example of what it means to lay down one's life for a friend, and his selfless act of charity at Auschwitz counters the selfish culture of our day which seeks to prevent or destroy life so that people can continue living in the sins of the flesh. In the coming days let us pray this litany for an end to abortion and the contraceptive mentality that festers in the heart of society, because in the end it is that mentality which paves the way for the human sacrifice of our time.