From June 2 to Pentecost Monday June 6, 2022, the retreat for the Knights took place in the retreat house Porta Cæli, led by Father Karl Stehlin and Father Helmut Trutt. The retreat on the theme “The importance of the Immaculate in the end times” brought together 32 people, both existing MI Knights as well as 6 new Knights who made their consecration to the Immaculate in the spirit of MI the last day. A few other people wanted to participate, but that was not possible for logistical reasons.
Some key points of the retreat
Are we now living in the last days of the apocalypse?
The expression “The last times” also refers to the events described in the apocalypse, that is to say the end of the world. The events that will happen at the end of time are described in the Holy Scriptures, but only God knows the exact time of the end of the world. We have signs that we are in the end times, but it may take centuries.
The signs are as follows:
- First, a great apostasy (falling away from the faith) is described (cf. Rev. 13). The disintegration of faith and morals that we are currently experiencing in the world, such as the Second Vatican Council in the Catholic Church cannot be considered other than apostasy.
- Likewise, Sister Lucia of Fatima spoke of the devil preparing for the decisive battle, a decisive battle is the last battle (cf. revelation).
- Likewise, at Fatima, Mary gave the last two means of salvation: the Rosary and devotion to Her Immaculate Heart. So if she called them “last means of salvation”, that means there will be no more (Note: this does not mean that the other means such as confession, last rites, etc. will be replaced by this) .
The Women of the apocalypse
But what does Mary have to do with it? “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and Her seed; she will crush your head and you will bite her in the heel” (Gen 3:15). Thus, from the beginning (Genesis), Mary is the great enemy of the devil. Once God establishes this enmity, it will last for all eternity – as well as into the end times. We also read in the Holy Scriptures, in the prophetic revelation, that Mary will have a special role in this end time: “A great sign has appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, the moon at her feet and a crown of twelve stars on Her head.” (Rev 12:1). It is Mary, and we read the story of a battle started between the “woman who gave birth to a Son” and “the dragon, the old serpent called the devil, Satan, who deceives the whole world” (cf. Rev. 12). Likewise, Saint-Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort wrote: “Thanks to Mary the work of redemption has begun, through Mary it is also finished” (in “Golden Book”).
The Triumph of the Immaculate
Mary predicted her victory at Fatima on July 13, 1917: “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.” She will crush the serpent’s head at the end of this last battle.
Why should this triumph happend through Mary?
There are also several reasons for this, which Saint-Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort describes in his book, for example, that the Good Lord wants the victory of the humility of a little servant over the pride of the highest fallen angel. Lucifer. But before this triumph there will be a great persecution of the true faith, which will also take place through the powers of the world. It is obvious that almost all secular governments are currently involved in building a new non-Christian world order. Likewise, St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort foresaw that at this time the devil would redouble his efforts day by day.
Save one’s soul
While a few decades ago it was probably still possible to save one’s soul with a superficial Catholic life of faith, that is no longer enough.
Despite everything, people went to confession regularly and at the hour of death, the priest was called because of a certain fear of God in the people.
Today, a superficial practice of faith, which unfortunately has also partially spread in tradition, especially among young people, is no longer sufficient, because the world is so permeated by atheism, liberalism, the selfishness – even through hostility to the Church, that special graces are needed to survive in this time.
The last means of grace that has been given to us must therefore be used well. Above all, devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary: “My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God” (cf. Message of Fatima, June 13, 1917). So, let us use these powerful means of grace and thus save our soul.
Become apostles of Jesus and Mary
Consecration to Mary is the starting point. But it’s about living this in daily life and passing on this message. St. Louis foresaw how the “servants, slaves and children of Mary” would go all over the world to preach true devotion to Mary, thus crushing the head of the devil. “They will be like clouds of thunder flying away at the slightest breath of the Holy Ghost to sow the word of God and bring eternal life.” Likewise, Mary at Fatima wants to establish the devotion to her Immaculate Heart in the world and has promised eternal salvation to all who practice this devotion and that these souls will be placed like flowers, on the divine throne. It is the call to all who want to become saints.
