St. Maximilian Colby is a close friend of mine and a powerful saint for our age.

Over the next few days, I want you to get to know him and his story, which I think will set your

heart on fire for the love of God, for our lady,

and for the salvation of your loved ones.

So let's begin in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let's call to mind all those we've promised to pray for.

Maximilian Colby was born the second son of a poor weaver in 1894 in Zadunka Vola, Poland. He was an intelligent, boisterous, an extremely

independent child.

At nine years old his mother cried out in exasperation,

My child, what's to become of you?

Soon after, Colby changed completely, so completely that his mother pressed him for a reason.

Maximilian later recounted what took place.

When my mother cried, what will become of you?

I prayed often to the Madonna to tell me what I would become. One day in church I begged her again and she

appeared to me holding two crowns. The one white the other red. The white, the other red.

The white meant that I would stay pure.

The red that I would be a martyr.

She asked me which one I wanted.

Both, I wanted. Both I replied. Then the Madonna smiled and disappeared.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallow it be your name, by kingdom come they will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver

...