On August 14, 2024, the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Brazil celebrated the feast day of its patron saint. The event took place in the Jardim da Imaculada [Garden of the Immaculata] in Cidade Ocidental, State of Goiás, Brazil. Those attending included the Minister Provincial, Friar Gilberto DE JESUS RODRIGUES, other friars, and young men in formation.
This important feast day commemorates St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, Martyr of Charity, who founded an apostolate that would later be called the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.). St. Maximilian wanted to conquer the world for Christ through the Immaculata. In Brazil, the first missionaries of the future Province of St. Maximilian tried to continue Kolbe’s work. In 1974, Friar Augustyn (Stefan) JANUSZEWICZ arrived in Brazil. In 1977, he founded the Jardim da Imaculada in Cidade Ocidental.
The Province celebrated its patronal feast day with a Mass. The Mass has become an annual tradition for the friars and those in formation in the region of Brasilia and its surroundings, and each year on this date the friars gather at the Jardim da Imaculada.
Friar Gilberto DE JESUS RODRIGUES
