Feast day August 14
St. Maximilian Kolbe
Martyr of Auschwitz · 1894–1941
For those who would give their life so another might live.
In their words
No one in the world can change Truth.
Life
Polish Conventual Franciscan, founder of mission houses and the Militia Immaculatae, arrested by the Gestapo in 1941. In Auschwitz he volunteered to take the place of a stranger condemned to die of starvation, and sustained and prayed with his fellow prisoners in the bunker until the end. Canonized in 1982.
A prayer
To the Immaculata
O Immaculata, Queen of heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you. I, an unworthy sinner, cast myself at your feet, humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have wholly to yourself as your possession and property. Use me, if you wish, without reservation, for the salvation of souls.