St Maximilian Kolbe. Day 7.

 If St Maximilian Kolbe could be described by one adjective, no doubt it would be courageous. Nevertheless, he had an underlying discreet virtue that led him to cultivate courage: the virtue of Holy Prudence. 

It seems contradictory that a man who seemingly threw himself in harms way by defying Nazi soldiers, beginning a clandestine radio show and hiding thousands of victims of war would have any prudence. 

"The prudent man considers things afar off, in so far as they tend to be a help or a hindrance to that which has to be done at the present time." -St. Thomas Aquinas

Holy prudence, as St Maximilian demonstrated, was the virtue where he used practical reason to discern the true good in each circumstance for God. Not to be confused with timidity or fear, it guided him and his other virtues by setting the rule for them and the measure. Through this Holy Prudence which guided his judgement of conscience to defy racist and anti-human laws, St Maximilian Kolbe was a prudent man. He determined each action and directed his choices in according with judgement from Holy Prudence with help from the Immaculate Conception: Mother Mary.. 

With the help of this virtue, we too can apply moral principles to cases in our life without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid. 

Today, I would like to pray for Catholic fathers and husbands to exercise Holy Prudence 

Day 7: For Catholic Fathers and Husbands

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. St Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us and intercede for us.

Lord have mercy,

Christ have mercy,

Lord have mercy,

Christ hear us,

Christ graciously hear us. 

God the Father in Heaven,

Have mercy on us,

God the Son, Redeemer of the World, 

Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity one God, 

Have mercy on us. 

St Maximilian Kolbe, intercede for us. I would like to ask you for intercession today for all Catholic fathers and husbands. I pray for them especially today because they lead and guide the people in their home, no matter how large or how small. I pray for Catholic fathers and husbands to pray for an increase in the virtue of Holy Prudence led by Mother Mary as it will guide them in setting rules and measures for actions that require practicing other virtues. May Catholic fathers and husbands apply moral principles to their own lives, and thereby set an example for their wives and children. May they love Our Lady and strive to live with purity of heart and receptive courage the way she lives. May their devotion to Mary through the Holy Rosary increase in them their desire for heaven and for the life that will never end. I pray for Fathers and husbands who are discouraged, may they unite themselves to the suffering of Mary as Mother of God.  I pray for Fathers and husbands who are confused, may they seek clarity in contemplative prayer and surrendering their will to the will of our Heavenly Father. I pray for Fathers and husbands who are old and sick, may God grant them courage and comfort as they set an example on how to persevere in love until death. And I pray for fathers and husbands who have checked out emotionally, I pray that they see the will of God for them to stay in the fight and their importance in the battle of good and evil not jus t for their family but for humanity. I pray especially for fathers and husbands who are indifferent and don't believe because they believe faith is for the weak or for women. I pray for their conversion and that they might see that we are all weak and only made strong in our weakness and faith in Christ Jesus. St Maximilian, I pray for leadership in fathers and husbands, please intercede and help them grow in Holy Prudence, I pray. Amen. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive those who debt against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, a world without end. Amen.