On Sunday, October 19, 2025, the first-ever group of the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.) in Portugal was founded in the village (parish) of Assafarge, located within the city and diocese of Coimbra.
Portugal, called “Land of St. Mary” because of its great devotion to Our Lady, did not yet have any officially established and consecrated group of the Militia of the Immaculata, the institute founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe on October 16, 1917. However, the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima, which occurred from May 13 to October 13, 1917, greatly increased devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the country.
Since 2022, a small group of faithful from several hamlets around Assafarge have been gathering at the Conventual Franciscan Friary of Sant’Antonio dos Olivais, located twelve kilometers [seven miles] from Coimbra. It has been their firm intention to start and M.I. group. They asked to be guided by Friar Fabrizio BORDIN, who had recently arrived at the friary. Over the course of three years, the faithful undertook a formation course on the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the history of the beginnings of the Militia of the Immaculata in Rome, the spirit and charism of the M.I., and the meaning and fruits of consecrating oneself to the Immaculata.
At the same time, they began to foster Marian prayer in neighboring hamlets and to devote themselves to volunteer work in the area: teaching catechism, leading Sunday liturgy, visiting the sick and residents of a homeless shelter, and more.
On Mission Sunday, October 19, 2025, during Mass celebrated at the local parish church, presided over by Friar Fabrizio BORDIN, fourteen people consecrated themselves to the Immaculata and officially inaugurated the “Militia of the Immaculata Group of Assafarge, Coimbra.” Each member received a miraculous medal. A banner featuring Mary and St. Maximilian Kolbe was blessed, and the new group was presented to the parish community, offering testimony to all the faithful about St. Maximilian’s life and missionary zeal, inspired by his love of the Virgin Mary.
Friar Fabrizio BORDIN
