14/08/2024
SAINT OF THE DAY: August 14
Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr
St. Maximilian Kolbe was born in Poland in 1894. In 1910, he joined the Conventual Franciscan Order. He was sent to study in Rome where founded the M.I. on October 16, 1917. Ordained a priest in 1918, Father Maximilian returned to Poland and began his untiring missionary activity, starting a monthly magazine and establishing two evangelization centers dedicated to the Immaculate Virgin: Niepokalanรณw, the โCity of the Immaculata,โ in Poland, and Mugenzai no Sono in Japan, and envisioned missionary centers worldwide. In 1939, during WWII, at Niepokalanรณw he welcomed thousands of refugees, especially Jews. In 1941, St. Maximilian was arrested by the N***s and taken to the Auschwitz concentration camp. There he offered his life for another prisoner and was condemned to slow death in a starvation bunker. He died on August 14, 1941, with an injection of carbolic acid. Pope John Paul II canonized him as a Saint and Martyr of Charity on October 10, 1982. St. Maximilian Kolbe is considered a patron of journalists, families, prisoners, the pro-life movement, the chemically addicted and those with eating disorders.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, who said, โGreater love than this no man has that a man lay down his life for his friends,โ through the intercession of St. Maximilian Kolbe whose life illustrated such love, we beseech you to grant us our petitions . . .
(mention special requests.)
Through the Militia of the Immaculata movement, which Maximilian founded, he spread a fervent devotion to Our Lady throughout the world. He gave up his life for a total stranger and loved his persecutors, giving us an example of unselfish love for all men, a love that was inspired by true devotion to Mary.
Grant, O Lord Jesus, that we too may give ourselves entirely without reserve to the love and service of our Heavenly Queen in order to better love and serve our fellowman in imitation of your humble servant, Maximilian. Amen.
militiaoftheimmaculata.com