St. Maximilian Kolbe, born Raymund Kolbe on January 8, 1894, in Poland, was a dedicated Conventual Franciscan friar who became a martyr in Auschwitz during World War II. Deeply devoted to the Virgin Mary, Kolbe had a life-changing vision at twelve, where Mary entrusted him with two crowns symbolizing purity and martyrdom, which he willingly accepted.
In 1910, he joined the Franciscan order, adopting the name Maximilian, and was ordained as a priest in 1918. A highly educated priest, Kolbe earned doctorates in both philosophy and theology.
He founded the Militia Immaculata to encourage the conversion of sinners and to oppose Freemasonry through Mary's mediation. He also launched the 'Rycerz Niepokalanej' (Knight of the Immaculate) magazine and established a prominent religious publishing house at the Niepokalanow monastery, extending his mission to countries like Japan and India.
During the German invasion in WWII, Kolbe provided shelter to refugees, including around 2,000 Jews, and refused to accept German citizenship. In 1941, he was arrested and sent to Auschwitz, where he showed incredible selflessness by volunteering to die by starvation in place of a man who had a family. Throughout his imprisonment, Kolbe led prayers to Mary and maintained his peace until he was executed by lethal injection on August 14.
For his extraordinary sacrifice, Kolbe was beatified in 1971 and canonized as a saint in 1982 by Pope John Paul II. He is honored as a martyr and serves as the patron saint of drug addicts, prisoners, families, and the pro-life movement. His feast day is celebrated every year on August 14.
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St. Maximilian Kolbe, born Raymund Kolbe on January 8, 1894, in Poland, was a dedicated Conventual Franciscan friar who became a martyr in Auschwitz during World War II. Deeply devoted to the Virgin Mary, Kolbe had a life-changing vision at twelve, where Mary entrusted him with two crowns symbolizing purity and martyrdom, which he willingly accepted.
In 1910, he joined the Franciscan order, adopting the name Maximilian, and was ordained as a priest in 1918. A highly educated priest, Kolbe earned doctorates in both philosophy and theology.
He founded the Militia Immaculata to encourage the conversion of sinners and to oppose Freemasonry through Mary's mediation. He also launched the 'Rycerz Niepokalanej' (Knight of the Immaculate) magazine and established a prominent religious publishing house at the Niepokalanow monastery, extending his mission to countries like Japan and India.
During the German invasion in WWII, Kolbe provided shelter to refugees, including around 2,000 Jews, and refused to accept German citizenship. In 1941, he was arrested and sent to Auschwitz, where he showed incredible selflessness by volunteering to die by starvation in place of a man who had a family. Throughout his imprisonment, Kolbe led prayers to Mary and maintained his peace until he was executed by lethal injection on August 14.
For his extraordinary sacrifice, Kolbe was beatified in 1971 and canonized as a saint in 1982 by Pope John Paul II. He is honored as a martyr and serves as the patron saint of drug addicts, prisoners, families, and the pro-life movement. His feast day is celebrated every year on August 14.
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