Maximilian Kolbe(1894-1941)
was a Polish Franciscan priest, missionary as well as martyr at Auschwitz. Canonised by Pope John Paul II in 1982 he is often
invoked as the patron saint of political prisoners, journalists, prisoners and
the pro-life movement. On his day of
martyrdom, 14 August 1941, he volunteered to die in place of a man named Franciszek Gajowniczek. He was living
proof of the truth of Christ's words ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s
friends’ (John 15:13). This was possible for Kolbe only because of the
sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary, the fruits and effects of which were
communicated to St. Maximilian through the sacrament of the Eucharist. For him, Holy
Communion means not only receiving the Body and Blood of Christ but also
participating in the mystery of self-giving love in our own time and place.
Fr Kolbe was active
throughout his life in promoting the veneration of Immaculate Virgin Mary as
well as in numerous apostolates and ministries.
In 1917, he founded the
