Venerable Voices: St. Maximilian Kolbe
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August 16, 2024Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan priest, is celebrated for his unwavering faith and profound devotion to the Virgin Mary. Born in 1894, Kolbe founded the Militia of the Immaculata, aiming to spread the Gospel and combat religious indifference. His magazine, the Knight of the Immaculata, became a beacon of faith, reaching many followers.
During World War II, Kolbe and his fellow friars were arrested by the Nazis. In Auschwitz, he made the ultimate sacrifice by volunteering to take the place of a fellow prisoner with a family, demonstrating Christ-like love and selflessness. This act led to his beatification in 1971 and canonization in 1982.
Known as the Patron Saint of Addicts and Recovery, Kolbe’s legacy inspires countless individuals to live a life of charity and devotion. His story, like that of Blessed Stanley Rother, is a testament to the power of faith and the willingness to lay down one’s life for others, which is why he appears in the apse mural above Blessed Stanley’s tomb.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!
