Maximilian Kolbe was born on January 8th 1894 in the Kingdom of Poland. He joined the Conventual Franciscans in 1907. He was ordained a priest in 1918. Between 1930-1936 he founded monasteries in India and Japan. During World War II, Kolbe organized a temporary hospital in his monastery in Poland. He was arrested and released 3 months later. After he was released, he continued working at the monastery where he provided refuge for more than 2000 Jews. The monastery was shut down in February 1941 and Maximilian was arrested. He was sent to Auschwitz on May 28th 1941. At the end of July, 3 prisoners escaped from the camp and 10 men were selected to be starved to death in an underground bunker as punishment. One of the men protested saying that he had a wife and kids. Maximilian immediately volunteered to take his place. In the bunker, Maximilian led the other men in prayer, psalms and talked to them about the Lord. After 2 weeks of starvation, Maximilian was the only one still alive and was injected with a lethal dose of carbolic acid.
Kolbe was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1971 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1982. He is recognized as the patron saint of drug addicts, prisoners, families and the pro-life movement. Here is video that goes into more details about Maximilian's life.
I believe St. Maximilian's story is relevant today because he was a great example of someone who displayed immense courage. During a very difficult time, his faith in God did not waver and he was not afraid of what would happen to him. Under horrific circumstances, Maximilian had strength. Even when he was arrested for having a temporary hospital in the monastery, Kolbe continued to provide a place of refuge for many Jews. He was not scared of the consequences for helping those Jews. He did not care that they were a different faith, he helped them because they needed help. He knew that was he was doing was right. In the underground bunker, I am sure that Maximilian was afraid but he did not let this fear get to him. Instead, he was strong for the other men by leading them in various prayers.
Although Kolbe is Catholic saint, his story is still relevant to people of any faith, or no faith at all. His sacrifice for a stranger was courageous and an ultimate act of love. It teaches us that sometimes we need to sacrifice ourselves for others. Obviously, we do not have to die for strangers, like Maximilian did, but there are small sacrifices that we can make everyday that benefit others. Instead of buying the most expensive dress for a dance, buy a cheaper one and donate the extra money you would have spent to a charity. Instead of taking a nap after school, wash the dishes for your parents. Instead of gossiping about someone, say something positive about them. These small acts may seem insignificant or even annoying at first, but they will surely brighten somebody else's day! :)
All I can say to this is that he is one tough guy. He's been through it all and still managed to find the courage in himself to not let his faith in god die out on him. He continued to help others, even strangers t'ill the day his acts of charity were put to rest once and for all. Now like you said, I do not believe that we should start dying and starving ourselfs for others but we could all definitely learn something from this man and that is that we should be more giving and that we should not always expect something in return for a favor that we have done to someone but instead to simply go about our day thinking and knowing that we did the right thing helping someone in need.
Rebekah, I really enjoyed this post about Maximilian Kolbe, and all of the interesting information you found on him. I really learned about courage and sacrifice, and that we can always do something in our everyday lives that might help someone else. As you said, we do not need to forfeit our lives to show an act of courage, but standing up for what you believe in or standing up for a friend will always be seen as an act of courage. After reading this post, I feel inspired to help out as much as I can, hoping to be of some help to those who might need it. You suggested that we donate to those who are in need, which can help with physical necessities such as food or clothes. Saying something positive to someone else is a moral necessity, having people smile and feel better about themselves. You can never go wrong with giving someone a compliment. Overall, GREAT WORK! I am looking forward to reading more of your posts.
I find it particularly interesting how a Christian saint helped the Jews. Despite Christianity's Jewish roots, I definitely do see tension between abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam). Would you say that you think Christianity played a role in the fight against the Holocaust? What about the fact that Hitler himself was a Roman Catholic?
I think that Christianity played a large role in the fight against the Holocaust. Many would argue that the Pope during that time, Pope Pius XII, did nothing to end the horrific events. In fact, during the war, the Vatican issued tens of thousands of false documents to Jews to help them pass as Christians and escape the Nazis. He also sent out an order that religious buildings including churches and monasteries were to be used as hidding places for Jews seeking refuge. I agree that the Pope did not do as much as he could have, but he did do a considerable amount. Hitler being a Roman Catholic has nothing to do with anything. There are extremists in every religion. That can be seen very clearly today with Muslim extremists like ISIS. One person cannot represent an entire group of people. The Catholic church does not condone Hitler's actions, it condemns them.
Wow! I didn't know the Pope at the time did so much! Although Hitler was Roman Catholic, I wouldn't say he's an extremist or his religion had anything to do with the Holocaust. I just find it very interesting how so many awful people also stretch their religious believes to support their horrible actions. I find it similar to the Buddhists monks killing a bunch of Muslims in Myanmar not too long ago ; their religion didn't motivate them to do so, but they stretched their beliefs of compassion and peace to somehow do horrible actions and feel guiltless.
Maximilian Kolbe is such an interesting guy. His courage and sacrifice is admirable. I love how you're bringing new life to these usually forgotten saints. They are turly insipering poeple. :) Wonderful writing style Rebekah, I can't wait to read more about saints in posts to come.May Jesus bless you and your work.
wow i really loved your posts, very interesting topic you picked, maximilian kolbe is a very inspirational person and i feel like we could all learn from him and i really loved that about this post. another thing i loved about your blog is the way its organized its super pretty and captivating, love your style love your topic. thanks for posting this i really learned a lot i look forward to more posts!
Maximilian Kolbe was born on January 8th 1894 in the Kingdom of Poland. He joined the Conventual Franciscans in 1907. He was ordained a priest in 1918. Between 1930-1936 he founded monasteries in India and Japan. 
All I can say to this is that he is one tough guy. He's been through it all and still managed to find the courage in himself to not let his faith in god die out on him. He continued to help others, even strangers t'ill the day his acts of charity were put to rest once and for all. Now like you said, I do not believe that we should start dying and starving ourselfs for others but we could all definitely learn something from this man and that is that we should be more giving and that we should not always expect something in return for a favor that we have done to someone but instead to simply go about our day thinking and knowing that we did the right thing helping someone in need.
ReplyDeleteRebekah, I really enjoyed this post about Maximilian Kolbe, and all of the interesting information you found on him. I really learned about courage and sacrifice, and that we can always do something in our everyday lives that might help someone else. As you said, we do not need to forfeit our lives to show an act of courage, but standing up for what you believe in or standing up for a friend will always be seen as an act of courage. After reading this post, I feel inspired to help out as much as I can, hoping to be of some help to those who might need it. You suggested that we donate to those who are in need, which can help with physical necessities such as food or clothes. Saying something positive to someone else is a moral necessity, having people smile and feel better about themselves. You can never go wrong with giving someone a compliment. Overall, GREAT WORK! I am looking forward to reading more of your posts.
ReplyDeleteI find it particularly interesting how a Christian saint helped the Jews. Despite Christianity's Jewish roots, I definitely do see tension between abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam). Would you say that you think Christianity played a role in the fight against the Holocaust? What about the fact that Hitler himself was a Roman Catholic?
ReplyDeleteI think that Christianity played a large role in the fight against the Holocaust. Many would argue that the Pope during that time, Pope Pius XII, did nothing to end the horrific events. In fact, during the war, the Vatican issued tens of thousands of false documents to Jews to help them pass as Christians and escape the Nazis. He also sent out an order that religious buildings including churches and monasteries were to be used as hidding places for Jews seeking refuge. I agree that the Pope did not do as much as he could have, but he did do a considerable amount. Hitler being a Roman Catholic has nothing to do with anything. There are extremists in every religion. That can be seen very clearly today with Muslim extremists like ISIS. One person cannot represent an entire group of people. The Catholic church does not condone Hitler's actions, it condemns them.
DeleteWow! I didn't know the Pope at the time did so much! Although Hitler was Roman Catholic, I wouldn't say he's an extremist or his religion had anything to do with the Holocaust. I just find it very interesting how so many awful people also stretch their religious believes to support their horrible actions. I find it similar to the Buddhists monks killing a bunch of Muslims in Myanmar not too long ago ; their religion didn't motivate them to do so, but they stretched their beliefs of compassion and peace to somehow do horrible actions and feel guiltless.
DeleteMaximilian Kolbe is such an interesting guy. His courage and sacrifice is admirable. I love how you're bringing new life to these usually forgotten saints. They are turly insipering poeple. :) Wonderful writing style Rebekah, I can't wait to read more about saints in posts to come.May Jesus bless you and your work.
ReplyDeletewow i really loved your posts, very interesting topic you picked, maximilian kolbe is a very inspirational person and i feel like we could all learn from him and i really loved that about this post. another thing i loved about your blog is the way its organized its super pretty and captivating, love your style love your topic. thanks for posting this i really learned a lot i look forward to more posts!
ReplyDelete