Saint Maximilian Kolbe

A Holy Card of St. Maximilian Kolbe

  If today were not Sunday, it would be the feast of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish martyr who died of Love in a concentration camp during WWII.

I have a theory that the saints don't mind it in the least when their feast day gets bumped by Sunday, the Lord's Day. For Who was the One that gave them the grace to triumph over death, as He did in His Glorious Resurrection? Who is the One we worship by our veneration of the saints? Christ the Lord, God Alone.

Still, I remember Saint Maximilian Kolbe in a special way today as he is one of my favorite saints.

Here's an excerpt from what I wrote about him in my journal last summer (August 14, 2009):

"Today, I thank God for the example, prayers, and support of St. Maximilian Kolbe, who has been a well-loved companion of mine since childhood. I was first introduced to him by My Friend Magazine's "Saint of the Month" cards--he was one of my favorite saints in that collection.

Since then, he has stayed with me as an inspiration, light, and help, especially in difficult moments of my life, but in ordinary things as well. When I was struggling in Conceptual Physics in college, he joined Saint Albert the Great (O.P.) to help me out and keep me on the right track.  After I had finished Physics, his holy card (image above) disappeared, for a year, but I still remembered him and cited him as being one of my greatest patron saints--along with Joan of Arc-- in my talk for the Crossroads Retreat in February '09. Then, just one week ago, I found his holy card again, just in time for his feast today!

And I am sure I am not the only one who has been helped by Mary's most glorious martyr. He should be an inspiration and example of fidelity and purity to all priests and religious, especially Franciscans.
 And, looking back, I think that his devotion to Mary helped prepare me to grow in devotion to her as well, though I ultimately chose the Consecration and Holy Slavery according to the teaching of Saint Louis de Montfort."

Also, I drew this picture of a legend from Saint Maximilian's childhood...

...as the story goes, he had a vision of Mary offering him a choice of two crowns. 

The red one represented Martyrdom, and the white one represented Purity. 

Instead of choosing one or the other, however, he said, "I choose both."         

Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Pray for us!

Blessed be God forever!