At Zakopane, Fr. Maximilian suffered and prayed. He spent his whole day in prayer. He wrote to his brother, “When I am sometimes tempted to worry, I say to myself, ‘Foolish one, why do you worry? Is this your work or Our Lady’s work? If all belongs to Mary, then She will look after all!’” And Mary did look after all, the Immaculata magazine continued to spread more and more!
During his illness, Fr. Maximilian also suffered darkness of soul. He could not see what was happening in his soul and had to live by Faith, not feelings. He wrote to the novices at Grodno warning them, “Do not be attached to sensible graces. You must expect periods of darkness, anxiety, fears, temptations, and sometimes physical or mental suffering. These crosses will help you become saints!”
