About the MIM Movement
What is the Mission of the Immaculate Mediatrix?
T
he Mission of the Immaculate Mediatrix Movement (MIM) is a public association of the faithful, definitively approved by the Roman Catholic Church. The MIM is an apostolate of the Franciscans of the Immaculate (FI), a Roman Catholic religious institute of pontifical rite, composed of friars, both priests and brothers, and affiliated sisterhood. The essential charism of the Franciscans of the Immaculate is to live and promote, in a Franciscan spirit, unlimited consecration to Mary, the Mother of God, and Immaculate Mediatrix. The MIM is a spiritual movement open to all the faithful that shares in this spirituality and discipline."Love the Immaculate! Confide in Her and consecrate yourself to Her without reservation."
- St. Maximilian Kolbe
The MIM was the inspiration of Fr. Stefano M. Manelli, founder of the Franciscans of the Immaculate, on September 8, 1990 on the occasion of his pilgrimage to the Holy House of Loreto in Italy. Both the Franciscans of the Immaculate and the members of the MIM live and promote unlimited consecration to the Immaculate after the example of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Martyr of Auschwitz and the great modern Marian apostle.
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Formation in the MIM
How are the members formed?
E
very member of monthly cenacle meeting receive Marian formation specific to their particular membership in the movement. At that cenacle meeting they also attend a chapter and plan the activities and apostolate of the cenacle. Every member commits himself or herself to the monthly attendance and to some participation in the works of the MIM.The formation and apostolate of the MIM is always geared toward: conquering the whole world for Christ by participating in the mission of the Immaculate Mediatrix Herself. Our Lady’s mission is to lead all souls to Christ; therefore, those consecrated to Her share in Her mission. In Her presence and under Her influence, they become “other Marys, living and acting in this world.” For this reason the basic spirituality of the MIM has two aspects: it is Marian and it is missionary. To this end each MIM member is obliged to strive for perfect conversion and continued growth in holiness by becoming the property and possession of the Immaculate through unlimited consecration to Her. They also commit themselves to become instruments in Her hands for the conversion and sanctification of souls, especially those furthest from God and His Church. The monthly meeting provides the necessary formation to accomplish this, and the organization to execute missionary activity.
"The heart of our good mother Mary is all love and mercy. She desires nothing else but our happiness. We need only have recourse to Her and we will be heard."
-St. John Mary Vianney
MIM members are expected to live an intense sacramental life, and cultivate the interior life through prayer and penance. Frequent confession, daily Mass (if possible), the daily recitation of the Rosary, fidelity to one’s state in life and daily duty, and mortification in regard to the things of this world are some of spiritual discipline of the MIM.
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Apostolate of the MIM
What do the MIM members do?
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pecific apostolic works of the MIM include: promotion of unlimited consecration to the Immaculate on a popular level; promotion and distribution of the Miraculous Medal; support of the missions through promotion of missionary awareness and practical support of FI missions abroad; distribution of a popular spiritual-missionary periodical entitled Missio Immaculatae (Mission of the Immaculate); organization and execution of A Day With Mary, a Marian prayer day, specific to the spirituality of the MIM; youth formation; homeschooling support; defense of human life and marriage and family life; work for the social reign of Christ the King; defense of the faith of the Holy Roman Catholic Church under the authority of the successor of St. Peter; and defense of the natural law and public morality."Live in Mary's heart, love what she loves and desire what she desires. Then you are sure to have peace, joy and holiness." -St. John Eudes
The activities of each member and the intensity of their commitment depend on the degree of membership. The higher the degree, the higher the commitment, and the more intense are the involvement of each member.
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Degrees and Levels of Membership
What are the degrees of membership?
1) Those who are members on the basis of unlimited consecration to the Immaculate.2) Those who are members on the basis of the Marian Vow of unlimited consecration to the Immaculate;
3) Those who are missionaries on the basis of the Marian Vow of unlimited consecration to the Immaculate, together with the profession of the form of life proper to the Franciscan Tertiaries of the Immaculate.
Thus, the first two degrees incorporate the members into the MIM solely on the basis of the Marian spirituality of the Franciscans of the Immaculate, while the third degree includes in addition to the Marian spirituality, the Franciscan spirituality and the profession that is proper to a tertiary.
"On every occasion and in every way, Mary comes to the aid of our misery, calms our fears, and perks up our faith." -St. Bernard of Clairvaux
The three degrees represent a belonging to the MIM according to the increasing intensity and commitment, in which each member must discern his personal call.
The consecration to Mary is common to all three degrees, but the Marian Vow professed in both the second and third degrees is a particular grace for the faithful. It is available in the context of an approved lay association of the faithful exclusively through the membership in the MIM. This vow is a unique way of solemnizing one’s personal consecration to the Immaculate, and committing oneself to its discipline in the most intense fashion.
The third degree incorporates into the spirit of the consecration by vow, the Franciscan spirit in the tradition of the great Franciscan saints, beginning with St. Francis himself and ending with St. Maximilian and St. Pio of Pietrelcina. Those members who profess the form of life according to this third degree live the spirit of poverty, chastity and obedience, in a structured life of prayer, mortification and apostolic life in the great tradition of the Third Order of St. Francis.
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How to Join the MIM
How do I join?
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ersons over 18 years of age, whether lay, priest or religious, may join the MIM by associating themselves with an official MIM cenacle that is affiliated with a friary or convent of the Franciscans of the Immaculate.It is also possible for younger persons to join an age appropriate group, but this is generally done in connection with the membership of an adult parent.
Since every MIM member receives regular and ongoing formation, it is necessary to join the MIM at the beginning of the formation year (this varies from cenacle to cenacle). It is essential to attend the monthly meetings, while excused absences are permitted from time to time, only those beginning the formation year at the first meeting will be admitted to the formation program will proceed in an organized and progressive way, and that each and every member receives the best formation possible.
The Statutes of the MIM will be explained to each attendee at the beginning of the formation year so as to allow an informed discernment about their continual membership.
Each new member will be asked to fill out and submit a short application and questionnaire. Applications must be approved in order to continue in the MIM and proceed, if desired, to the different degrees of membership.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the MIM and the Franciscan Tertiaries of the Immaculate, make sure you have read this thoroughly, and then contact:
Bro. Joseph (John) Sweeney, FTI
MIM Minister, New Bedford, MA
Tel # (508) 428-4527 or
Bro. John Martin, FTI
Formation Director, New Bedford, MA
Tel # (508) 994-4754
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