Maximilian Kolbe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintMaximilian Kolbe O.F.M. Conv. |
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| Priest, Martyr, Confessor of the Faith, Founder of the Militia Immaculatae, Apostle of Consecration to the Mother of God | |
| Born | Rajmund Kolbe 8 January 1894 Zduńska Wola, Congress Poland, Russian Empire |
| Died | 14 August 1941 (aged 47) Auschwitz-Birkenau, German-occupied Poland |
| Venerated in | |
| Beatified | 17 October 1971, Vatican City by Pope Paul VI |
| Canonized | 10 October 1982, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II |
| Major shrine | Basilica of the Omni-mediatress of All Glories |
| Feast | 14 August |
| Attributes | Franciscan habit, the Rycerz Niepokalanej, Nazi concentration prison uniform, Nazi concentration camp badge, crucifix, rosary, and a palm of martyrdom |
| Patronage | Families, recovery from drug addiction, prisoners, amateur radio operators, journalists, political prisoners, pro-life movement, Esperantists, and Militia Immaculatae |
Maximilian Maria Kolbe (originally christened Raymund) (1894-1941) is a Catholic saint. He was a Polish Franciscan who worked in Poland and Nagasaki, Japan. He died in Auschwitz because he wanted to save another prisoner. Maximilian saved the life of that prisoner. Maximilian is remembered on August 14, the date of his death. The first-class relics of St Maximilian Kolbe are preserved and distributed by the friary of Niepokalanów, establish by St Maximilian in Poland.
Kolbe was smuggled to a prison hospital to try to stop beatings and lashings as part of being a priest. One day three prisoners disappeared from the camp and then the deputy camp commander decided to choose ten men at random to be starved to death to prevent any more escapes.
One of the men, Franciszek Gajowniczek, cried out, "My wife! My children!" When Kolbe heard this he volunteered to take his place.
After two weeks of starvation and dehydration Kolbe was the only one of ten men that was still alive. He was always standing or kneeling in the middle of the cell looking very calm whenever the guards arrived. The guards then decided to give a lethal injection as he was still alive. Kolbe then raised his arm and waited for this deadly injection.
Images for kids
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Maximilian Kolbe, on a West German postage stamp, marked Auschwitz
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Fr.Maximilian Kolbe in 1936
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The first monument to Maximilian Kolbe in Poland in Chrzanów
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The statue of Kolbe (left) above the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey.
