Kolbe and Montfort on Consecration

– Answered by Father Johann Roten, S.M.

Q: Is there a difference in consecration for Maximilian Kolbe and Grignion de Montfort?

A: The difference in consecration between de Montfort and Kolbe lies in the modality and not in essence. De Montfort invites us to do everything "with Mary, in Mary, through Mary, and for Mary." We should abandon ourselves to her without reservation, since Mary was chosen to realize "the admirable exchange" by which God became man in order to communicate his divinity to us. We should go back to God through Mary because he came to us through her. Kolbe stresses a constant syntony (communication, sharing) with Mary. We ought to be on familiar terms with her, recall her constantly, let oneself be guided by her, pronounce her name, carry on conversation with her, think about her frequently. If Montfort emphasizes the obligatory passage (Mary the door, the "neck," the bridge to God), Kolbe in turn offers personalist categories and makes Mary our partner and companion on our journey to God. Again, there is no essential difference. For both men, Mary is guide and companion on our spiritual journey, but for de Montfort she is more guide whereas for Kolbe she acts more as companion.