St. Maximilian Kolbe: The Martyr of Auschwitz and Apostle of Mary Immaculate
•Priest and Martyr
•Feast day: August 14
•1894-1941
St. Maximilian Kolbe, a martyr of Auschwitz, was born on January 8, 1894, in Zduńska Wola, Poland. From an early age, Kolbe demonstrated an extraordinary devotion to the Virgin Mary. A profound experience marked his childhood when the Blessed Virgin appeared to him in a vision, holding two crowns: one white, symbolizing purity, and the other red, symbolizing martyrdom. When asked to choose between them, young Maximilian responded, “I choose both.” This moment foreshadowed his lifelong commitment to purity and his eventual martyrdom.
Early Life and Religious Vocation
Kolbe joined the Conventual Franciscans at the age of 13, where he was given the religious name Maximilian. He later traveled to Rome to complete his theological studies, earning doctorates in philosophy and theology. During his time in Rome, the increasing secularism and anti-religious sentiment in Europe deeply troubled him, inspiring him to take action.
In 1917, just a year before his ordination, Kolbe founded the Militia Immaculatae (MI), also known as the Militia of Mary Immaculate. The MI was a movement dedicated to promoting devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the conversion of sinners and enemies of the Church, especially Freemasons. The organization quickly gained momentum, drawing thousands of members worldwide.
Apostolic Work and the City of the Immaculate
After his ordination in 1918, Fr. Kolbe returned to Poland and began to work tirelessly to spread the message of the Militia Immaculatae. In 1927, he established Niepokalanów, the “City of the Immaculate,” near Warsaw. Niepokalanów became a thriving community of over 800 friars, primarily focused on the press apostolate. The friars published a magazine called Rycerz Niepokalanej (The Knight of the Immaculate), which reached a staggering circulation of one million copies at its peak. This publication played a crucial role in spreading devotion to Mary and in countering the anti-religious ideologies of the time.
Missionary Work in Japan
In 1930, Fr. Kolbe expanded his missionary efforts to Japan. Despite the challenges of language and culture, he successfully established a similar religious community in Nagasaki, named Mugenzai no Sono, or “Garden of the Immaculate.” Remarkably, this community was located in an area that was later found to be shielded from the atomic bomb’s devastation in 1945. The survival of the mission and its friars is often considered miraculous.

World War II and Martyrdom
When World War II erupted, Fr. Kolbe returned to Poland, where he continued his work despite the dangers posed by the Nazi occupation. Niepokalanów became a shelter for thousands of Polish refugees, including Jews, whom Kolbe and his friars assisted. His actions drew the attention of the Gestapo, and in 1941, he was arrested and sent to the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp.
At Auschwitz, Fr. Kolbe was subjected to brutal treatment but remained strong in his faith. His ultimate act of self-sacrifice came on July 31, 1941, when a prisoner from his barracks escaped. In retaliation, the camp authorities selected ten men to die by starvation. When one of the chosen men, Franciszek Gajowniczek, a husband and father, cried out in despair, Fr. Kolbe stepped forward and volunteered to take his place. The Nazi officers accepted his offer, and Fr. Kolbe was condemned to the starvation bunker.
For two weeks, Fr. Kolbe led the other condemned men in prayer and hymns, offering them spiritual comfort in their final moments. On August 14, 1941, Fr. Kolbe, weakened but still conscious, was executed with a lethal injection of carbolic acid. He died with the name of Mary on his lips, fulfilling his childhood prophecy of choosing both purity and martyrdom.
Canonization and Legacy
St. Maximilian Kolbe was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1971 and canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 10, 1982. During his canonization, Pope John Paul II declared him a “Martyr of Charity” and emphasized his heroic act of self-sacrifice. St. Maximilian Kolbe is venerated as the patron saint of drug addicts, prisoners, families, journalists, and the pro-life movement.
St. Maximilian Kolbe’s life and martyrdom continue to inspire millions worldwide. His unwavering faith, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and ultimate sacrifice in Auschwitz stand as a testament to the power of love and the triumph of good over evil.