Some religious asked Fr. Maximilian for a weekly spiritual programme to help them live as slaves of the Immaculate Virgin. He replied kindly, always reiterating the same truth:

“Every programme certainly has its limits; but the programme you are asking me for should not have any.

“Let us strive to be children, servants and slaves – and wholly, wholly, wholly – of Mary. In a word: hers in every respect, and ever more hers. How can we achieve this?

“Let us remember that the essence of total surrender and consecration is not a feeling or a memory, but rather the will. Therefore, if someone does not feel the sweetness of being with her – it seems to me that this does not usually happen – and does not even remember her or think of her, yet does not revoke their personal gift but renews it, let them rest assured, for She reigns in their heart. We can easily control our will; that is why we must ensure that it conforms to her will and always fulfils it in the most perfect way.

“That is all…

“To realize how much we depend on her, like a child, we must throw ourselves at her feet, just as children do at their own mother’s.

“May the spirit of the Immaculate One grow ever deeper.”

RICCIARDI, OFM Conv, Antonio, Un hombre fuera de serie. 2.ed. Madrid: Testimonio, 2008, p.178