Maximilian Kolbe

Maximilian Kolbe (8 January 1894 – 14 August 1941) was a Polish Franciscan priest (Conventual Franciscan). He is known for volunteering to die in place of another prisoner, Franciszek Gajowniczek, at the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1941.

 Early life 
Kolbe was born in Zduńska Wola, Poland (then part of the Russian Empire). He was baptized Raymund. He joined the Conventual Franciscans and was ordained a priest in 1918.

 Work 
In 1917, Kolbe helped to start the association Militia of the Immaculata (Militia Immaculatae) in Rome. 
He set up a large friary and printing house at Niepokalanów, near Warsaw, which printed the monthly magazine Rycerz Niepokalanej (Knight of the Immaculate).
In 1930 he opened a mission house in Nagasaki, Japan, where a Japanese edition of the magazine (Seibo no Kishi) began to appear.

 Immaculata Militia 

In 1917 Kolbe started a Catholic group called the Immaculata Militia (Militia Immaculatae). Its members consecrate themselves to the Virgin Mary and try to bring other people to Jesus through her. Kolbe used printing, radio, and new monasteries, including one in Japan, to spread this movement. The group is still active in many countries today.

 Arrest and death 
During World War II, Kolbe was arrested by the German authorities and sent to Auschwitz. In July 1941 he offered to take the place of a prisoner chosen to die after an escape from the camp. After two weeks without food and water, he was killed on 14 August 1941 by a lethal injection.

 Veneration 
Kolbe was beatified on 17 October 1971 and canonized on 10 October 1982. His feast day is 14 August.

 Related pages 
 Immaculata Militia
 Auschwitz concentration camp
 Catholic Church

 References 

Category:1894 births
Category:1941 deaths
Category:Franciscans
Category:Catholic priests
Category:Christian saints
Category:Holocaust victims
Category:Polish Roman Catholics