Maximilian Kolbe: The brave priest who died for others

Maximilian Kolbe: The brave priest who died for others

Auschwitz, Polen - Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish priest and Franciscan, was born on January 8, 1894 in Zduńska Wola. During the Second World War, he bravely opposed the National Socialist propaganda and hidden Jews, which ultimately led to his arrest by the Gestapo in February 1941. [sueddeutsche.de] reports that Kolbe was transferred to the Auschwitz concentration camp on May 28, 1941, where he preserved his unshakable belief under extreme conditions.

his desire to help others led him to volunteer to take the place of another prisoner, Franciszek Gajowniczek, who had been selected to starve. After several weeks without food, Kolbe showed the power of faith by running other inmates in prayer. Ultimately, on August 14, 1941, he was executed by a fatal injection, which underlines his unshakability and dedication to his beliefs. [Wikipedia] adds that Kolbe stayed calm during his last hours and offered his arm to the executioner.

a life in the service of charity

Kolbes life path was shaped by a deep veneration for the Virgin Mary. At the age of only ten, he had a vision in which he received two crowns - one of the purity and one of the martyrs - and chose both. This shaped his spiritual calling and drove him to enter the conventual Franciscans in 1910. [Catholic.com] reports that he later founded the Militia of the Immaculate to promote Marian veneration and to turn against anti -Catholic movements.

In the 1920s, Kolbe founded the monthly magazine "Rycerz Niepokalanej" (knights of the immaculate), which reached a large audience with a circulation of over a million copies. He also built the Niepokalanów monastery, which served as a refuge for many people, including Jewish refugees during the Second World War.

from the arrest to the martyrdom

After his arrest in 1941, Kolbe put all his energy in the service of his fellow prisoners. His heroic decision to go to death to save someone made him a martyr of charity. [Wikipedia] noted that his canonization took place on October 10, 1982 by Pope John Paul II after he had already been beatified in 1971.

Maximilian Kolbes Legacy not only includes his devotion to life in Christ's successor, but also the message of love and victim, which still inspires many people today. His patronage role includes an impressive list of groups, including journalists, freedom fighters and people with eating disorders. The veneration of Kolbes is particularly celebrated on his commemoration day, August 14th.

Kolbes Life is an urgent example of the power of faith and the possibility of redemption, even in the darkest times of human history. His teachings remind us that "hatred is not creative. Only love is creative." [Catholic.com]