I understand that as a loyal Catholic I should honor the Blessed Virgin. Perhaps I should pray to her more frequently. I firmly believe that I ought to give her a more prominent place in my piety. I realize that with her help it would be easier for me to resist certain temptation. If I were more intimate with her, undoubtedly I should also be more intimate with Christ. I am ready to follow the directives of Pius X more faithfully and to seek the Son at the side of the Mother.

However, even though the Blessed Virgin ought to play a more active role in my prayer life, I do not see why I should give her a place in my life as a militant [apostle]. . . She will help me in my interior life, but what part could she play in my life as a militant?

Christ loved His Mother with an immeasurable love; He must have spent many hours of infinitely sweet intimacy with her at Nazareth. But He did not associate her in His apostolate. He did not say to her: “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20)

No, He did not address this order to her. But He did associate her in His mission more than He associated James and John, and Philip and Andrew, and even Saint Peter and all the Apostles taken together. He has made her a perfect Militant, a Militant who influences all men without exception. He made her so great a Militant that all other militants merely participate in her mission, and without her would be absolutely powerless to achieve the least success.

The apostolic action of this great Militant ought to be particularly evident in the times in which we are living, ever more and more extensively as times goes on. To her is reserved a great victory in our days, a victory which she will share with all those who combat under her orders. She is the Queen of Militants, to whom you must consecrate your life and your strength if you wish to be successful always and to be one hundred percent militant.

This is a bold assertion, is it not? Up to now you have never really understood it, have you? I am going to show you that there is not the least exaggeration in my assertions. Only give me your attention and your good will, and ask Jesus to make you understand the mission which He has confided to His mother and the part He wishes you to play to help her in her mission.

Excerpted from Queen of Militants by Father Emil Neubert, S.M., S.T.D.

Whether we realize it or not, we're all militants in the army of Christ. If you're feeling weary and overwhelmed by the fight for good, this book will introduce you to the secret of success on the battleground for souls - Mary, Queen of Militants!