St. Maximilian Kolbe

Many people have heard the story about St. Maximilian Kolbe in Auschwitz, but you need to know this saint’s whole story.
He was born “Rajmund” in 1894 in Poland. Coming from a family of weavers, he knew poverty. As a young boy, he heard the Lord ask him if he wanted the white crown of virginity or the red crown of martyrdom. He told the Lord he wanted both.
His family had great faith in God and their devotion to Mary inspired him. St. Maximilian said, “Never be afraid of loving Mary too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”
St. Maximilian went where he was called, and embraced the vow of poverty. He stayed in Poland often, studied in Rome, and even traveled to Japan to spread the gospel.
In the midst of Nazi propaganda spreading across Poland, he wanted to use film and media to conquer immorality. Instead of demonizing the media, he established his own publication to combat Nazism and Freemasonry.
Despite suffering from tuberculosis, he still managed to evangelize in the most grim circumstances.
When he was sent to Auschwitz, it was clear his willingness to suffer for Christ would be tested even more. Some prisoners escaped Auschwitz, and as punishment the guards chose ten prisoners to starve to death in a starvation bunker. When a prisoner cried and said he had a wife and children, St. Maximilian took that prisoner’s place, willingly giving up his life. In the bunker, Maximilian wouldn’t starve to death. So they gave him a lethal injection. This still didn’t kill him, so they gave him another injection which did kill him.
“For Jesus Christ I am prepared to suffer still more” (St. Maximilian Kolbe).
St. Maximilian’s life was much more than the selfless sacrifice that brought it to an end. His devotion to Mary, his resourcefulness, and zeal for evangelization helped bring the gospel to more people during the mayhem of war-torn Europe.
How can I love Our Lady more? How can I give more time to Jesus? How is the Lord calling me even amid suffering?
St. Maximilian, pray for us.
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[@despicableyou12]

Also, the man he saved, Franciszek Gajowniczek, survived Auschwitz and was present at St. Maximilian Kolbe’s beatification in 1971 and his canonization in 1982!

[@franklinguerrero6730]

That's a really good to know, thanks for the info.

[@faanengaaw7357]

Where can i see the video?

[@faanengaaw7357]

Luigi Raimondo Pomo we both pray🙏🏽 Lets ask him to pray for us so that we may have the strength to live a live like he did & like all the other saints before him. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@ronrocheleau3035]

I am humbled

[@anthonyfowler2623]

Oh wow

[@jaroslawbaczewski]

St. Maximilian’s is my patron saint. I chose him as my patron for my Confirmation. His whole life is truly inspiring.

[@bernicerubio1958]

Is very nice to meet him. I wasn’t aware of him. So much I’ve got to learn. Thank you all!

[@konungredocsil657]

Same brother. Such a amazing man.

[@jaroslawbaczewski]

@Luigi Raimondo PomoPersonally I admire him also because he was totally dedicated to convert sinners and bring all to love Mary Immaculate. Greetings from Gdańsk in Poland

[@jaroslawbaczewski]

@Luigi Raimondo Pomo Thank you for reminding. I have not forgotten about today's anniversary. Have a blessed day to you and your family.

[@acacaczawoodle]

Same

[@user-vc5jo2oj1k]

Blessings from NIEPOKALANÓW!!! 🙏🏼

[@bernicerubio1958]

Hi there! Greetings from 🇺🇸 USA🇺🇸

[@pawelwysocki1581]

Before the war, he also built a monastery in Nagasaki that survived the nuclear bomb. It was shielded by the mountain it was built on. Someone initially picked a different location, but st. Maximilian didn't agree. Some people say he talked about a ball of fire falling from the sky... The monastery is still there, if anyone wants to see it.

[@pawelwysocki1581]

Considering that he went through Auschwitz, and that his monastery survived the Nagasaki nuclear bomb, you can understand the very serious look on his face. They gave up on starvation bunkers in Auschwitz after his death.

[@cherryhowell7562]

Amazing... tx for this information

[@unacceptablesisterpeter3431]

He also built a Lourdes grotto there. It claims a healing of Dr Takashi Nagai who preached peace and forgiveness after losing his wife in the bomb. Also the monastery is built on the site where the bodies of executed Christians were dumped before they were allowed to freely worship in 1873. There is even a small monument there. I went on pilgrimage twice there.

[@bethanyann1060]

I'm not crying, YOU'RE CRYING! What a beautiful life.

[@saimmoul]

I was deeply impressed when I read St. Maximilian Kolbe in my youth and he became my favorite saint. While on the trip to Pocono, i happened to celebrate the mass at St. Maximilian Kolbe’s on the Pentecost Feast yesterday, which I don’t think a coincidence. I also got my kidney surgery on August 14th, on the feast of Maximilian Kolbe in 2002. He might be leading me to Jesus. I like your precise wrap up and interpretation about the saint.

[@leftoversoversigjt7719]

Gorgeous saint and a true follower of Jesus.

[@heinoschaapman1584]

The Church has so many great Saints.

[@user-gh8sl7iu3y]

I am so happy you did this video today 😊 St Maximilian Kolbe and St Teresa of Avila are two of my favorite saints. Both stories give me the hope I need in difficult times. “Be Catholic: When you kneel before an altar, do it in such a way that others may be able to recognize that you know before whom you kneel.” St Maximilian Kolbe

[@bernicerubio1958]

That quote is so beautiful!! That’s right! We also need to show pride in our religion and faith

[@JesusRodriguez-hm1fs]

Beautiful solemn and true affirmation.

[@MJ-ei8ug]

One of my favourite quotes from St Maximilian: Courage, my sons. Don't you see that we are leaving on a mission? They pay our fare in the bargain. What a piece of good luck! The thing to do now is to pray well in order to win as many souls as possible. [Said when he was first arrested.]

[@twirleymae]

He gave all for Christ!

[@leonirohana415]

I am from India. I know about this saint. He made a supreme sacrifice by giving his life for some other person Maxmillan kolbe. Thank u for this info.

[@SaintCharbelMiracleworker]

No greater love hath a man who lays down his life for another.

[@primusnocturn]

St Maximilian had even some patents (he was also an inventor) started radio station, fire station in Niepokalanow.

[@WindmillTea]

I love St Maximilian Kolbe!

[@magdaforwomen2]

My mama always used to tell me about him ♡♡♡

[@maxdevick7518]

Great video! St Maximilian Kolbe is my name saint!

[@cameronbishop1116]

Amen!

[@the-er1cd]

By any chance is one of your brothers called Sam?

[@maxdevick7518]

@@the-er1cd Yep!

[@the-er1cd]

@@maxdevick7518 What a coincidence, never thought I would see someone I knew on here, I'm sure it's happened, I just didn't notice. This is Eli Btw

[@maxdevick7518]

@@the-er1cd Oh, Eli from youth group? Haha! No way! Good to see you in the comment section man!

[@christopherdominicpaul4763]

Praise God that we have such awesome Saints in the church. St Kolbe has beautiful insights and his thoughts are used in the consecration of mother Mary in "33 days to morning glory". Such a courageous man of God.

[@onwukachidi]

Am so enriched, thank you very much

[@pxter]

Thank you! St. Maximilian Kolbe is my Confirmation name and Saint✝️

[@christinamaria7819]

Thank you for this, I’m converted to catholic a year a go. Loving our Lady still bothers me, because the doctrine i have growing up. I was afarid loving and asking her help, and meditate the rosary will take away my love for Jesus. But the more i meditate the rosary, the more i love Jesus. But my heart and my mind keep fighting about this. Now i have the answer, thank, you, thank you, thank you, thank you 🙏

[@cherylreardon5849]

Me too! One year this Easter.

[@suzannemcmaken4648]

Mary, Doesn’t know you exist. She is a pagan idol. The Lord isn’t pleased.

[@bernicerubio1958]

God bless to you too!! I love, love, love the whole message. Thank you!

[@fabiotuan5206]

Jesus is all you need!

[@wanlongsanmarboh4717]

I'm glad I learned about this saint back in those days of my catechism classes at school. I remember that was around 2007 when I was in high school. Thank you for reminding me again of the story of this great saint. God bless!

[@wanlongsanmarboh4717]

@Matt Blaise Oops! Nope. Didn't knew about that 😮Thanks for telling me this. I got some research to do.

[@athinathomas3559]

@Matt Blaise tell us more about it! I'm an indian too

[@kellybroussard4880]

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing his story.

[@ania3542]

I have visited Niepokalanow just two weeks ago.

[@walterweiss7124]

I've been praying the rosary connected to Niepokalanów for 4 months, since I recovered from Covid19 ;)

[@miaouew]

Not religious in the least bit, but as a kid I used to go with my family to a church near Jersey Village TX which is north of Houston that was named after this saint. His story always moved me. What a great guy. Tough as nails.

[@jasonhaiflich8967]

Whenever I think of Kolbe I think of him as a real man

[@victoria103]

Such a great saint!! 🙌🏼🤍❤️🙏🏼

[@michaelmartin3257]

What a wonderful segment on Saint Maximilian Kolbe, thank you! I did not know.much about this Saint so this was very beneficial. God bless, and thank you again! Please keep making this content.

[@enochian7822]

Thank you🙏🏼❤️

[@nestelberg5672]

I already know his story. I looked at his portrait every Sunday and other week days while attending the Holy Mass at the Swieta Tekla Catholic Church (Klasztorek) in Ciechanow, Poland. His portrait was a part of my life.

[@madalinetoler420]

Don’t forget someone who took the scariest most horrific place in the world and replaced it with love compassion humility grace faith forgiveness and more love than the happiest place on earth. That’s the saint i picked for my first communion. And he did all this while he was dying from tuberculosis. He put others before himself every second of every day. Then he took someone’s fear and pain. Not only the one he died for but him being in the death room took the other 9 men’s fear and turned their last moments into moments of faith love and fellowship.

[@trishjohnson35]

Beautifully written ❤

[@vilmieeee7247]

Grateful to have him as my patron saint 🙏🏽. I’ve learned how to love Our Blessed Mother through him. His feast day is just a few days away - Aug. 14th! Saint Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us.

[@fabiotuan5206]

Jesus is all you need

[@gjmarkjesse1324]

Literal good vs evil scenario. At the moment it may seem evil killed the good, but in reality, the good was overwhelming that it rippled into the past, present and future. I named my son after this man, I think that says it all on how much love and respect I have for this saint.

[@jasonhaiflich8967]

That’s amazing you named your son after a great saint

[@smithandscholar9660]

What an amazing man. He's such a great example of fortitude!

[@maxungerman5302]

Amen! This is the man I was named after, thank you for posting this Ascension Presents!

[@DeadNetCord]

Here in Poland his story is well known among people and he inspired many. My friend who is on his way to become a Franciscan friar took the friar name 'Maria' as the full name was Maksymilian MARIA Kolbe

[@JesusRodriguez-hm1fs]

Maravillosa tierra de Polonia, bendecida por la Gracia de Cristo y defensora de la fe católica. Modelo para el mundo.

[@krzysztofmitko4953]

xD I remember my teacher of a subject called "religion" mentioning him.When it comes to youth they don't know much about him.

[@mattlabishak4340]

A fct tg8yy yiu

[@TheXone7]

What a beautiful story of God's providence!

[@ronrocheleau3035]

I’m humbly moved by your passion and insight. Give praise. Pax et Bonum

[@TheMenzy321]

My ex wife from Poland filled me in on this Saint since he is very well known in Poland where Catholics are 90% of Poland's population. Such a brave man,

[@joshbryan486]

Amen and Thank You Brother! 🙏🏻❤️📿

[@ojie285]

We're in Week 2 of 33 Days to Morning Glory Marian Consecration and St. Maximilian Kolbe is the featured Saint! Such a selfless man of the faith. Thank you for sharing this video, which I shared to our mini-retreat group. Godbless.

[@eml3077]

Just learned about him today and wow what a remarkable selfless soul. Truly a reflection of God 😊

[@angelalemos9811]

I respect this Saint's story quite a bit. God bless him.

[@Paslayas]

I'm using this video for my Confirmation class @ St. Margaret's Parish. Inspirational ❤️

[@talia37]

This is a really great video! St Maximilian’s story is truly inspiring and what you said about Mary at the end is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you! 🕊🕊

[@IONov990]

When I hear about the holiness of these saints, I already think I'm condemned to hell. How do you grow to become so holy?

[@jasonhaiflich8967]

Simply spend time with Love itself, Jesus Christ. “I have come not to call the righteous but sinners” you sir are the very man God is calling. His mercy an inexhaustible fountain that will never dry

[@maryannsolomon81]

I am a sinner through and through and st Maximilian whom i just have learned today has reminded me that i still have a chance to be saved,and there is a sign, the date, aug 14♥️♥️♥️

[@mariamehaddad]

I love Fr Mike’s talks. This is the second one you have presented and each one has blessed me. Thank you! This talk was beautiful. God love and keep you. Thank you Ascension Presents.

[@chrisang444kolbe6]

St Max Kolbe exchanged his life out of infinite love of Our Lord and his Mother Mary...for the life eternal !!! Like St Francis of Assissi, St Kolbe was "an instrument of God's infinite love for mankind " .... Both these saints are among my 21 patron saints !!! No Catholic person has ever had so many patron saints...I am a great sinner !!!

[@torimukuni]

I dreamt about him asking me for a drink of water before I knew anything about him 😩 thanks for this video!

[@cw4608]

This is excellent and so well delivered. Could you feature more saints please?

[@kevinmalone3210]

Kolbe was a great man.

[@renaeadams9344]

my confirmation saint! :)

[@eileenlorenz4468]

Named My youngest son, Maximilian

[@Richie016]

😀It's an admiring tale of a Saint who was too devoted to the Lord's service.

[@junkyardjunkie7192]

Could never be too devoted

[@jasonhaiflich8967]

The Lords service. I love that you wrote it like that. Each man desires to be a knight, a servant of a noble cause. No nobler cause than to serve goodness itself, Jesus Christ

[@asherralphs4363]

Thanks. I needed this

[@user-gh8sl7iu3y]

Can you recommend books on the life of St Maximilian Kolbe? I cannot get enough about this great man.

[@antonelladipiazza187]

Yes! A Man for Others by Patricia Treece, or better yet Mary's Knight by Claude Foster. If you really want to discover this great Treasure, now the complete collection of his Writings is in English! Hardcover 2-volume set is sold by Marytowngiftshop.com E-book version is on Amazon. Enjoy!!!

[@antonelladipiazza187]

Yes! A Man for Others by Patricia Treece or better yet Mary's Knight by Claude Foster.

[@antonelladipiazza187]

If you want to discover this Treasure, now the complete collection of his Writings is available in English! The hardcover 2-volume set is sold by Marytowngiftshop.com E-book version is on Amazon

[@gugademorais]

Also we have a movie called two crowns

[@jenyoung2473]

This week started with the feast of St Theresa Benedicta and ended with St Maximilian Mary both martyred in Auschwitz. What an example for us catholics for who knows what martyrdom we will have

[@richardseales6784]

SAINT MAXIMILIAN KOLBE PRAY FOR 🙏 PEACE ✌️ IN THE WORLD AMEN 🙏

[@madeinpolska8306]

Thank you ❤

[@rodadams5069]

St Maximilian Kolbe, please pray for us!🙏

[@gimir2277]

Outstanding

[@chloestheatrevlogs2331]

There is a Saint Maximilian Kolbe Shrine in IL I’ve been there, it’s amazing! Praise Jesus!!!

[@mazikode]

Thanks again Bobby i love listening to this. I miss you and Jackies weekly videos on Ascension. God bless you and family.

[@anniedetroit7525]

My favorite Saint is Edith Stein/ Sister Benedicta of the Cross. Would you consider doing a video on her and the priest Saint, his name is escaping me right now- they were both raised Jewish, converted to Catholicism in adulthood, both died in the Death camps, and were sainted? Thank you.

[@vespermartini2556]

Thank you for your comment, I didn't know about her.

[@anniedetroit7525]

@@vespermartini2556 you're welcome, she's awesome, and there are several good books about her. Edit: my spelling didn't reflect my Catholic education today, so I fixed it. Thank you, Sister Evangeline!😋

[@vespermartini2556]

@@anniedetroit7525 I'm going to look into her story. Sometimes you learn much more reading through the comment section. I took a quick look at Wiki and she was placed in the gas chamber at Auschwitz on 8/9/42.

[@anniedetroit7525]

@@vespermartini2556 wow just a couple of days ago. No wonder I have been thinking of her a lot recently. I think you will find her fascinating, I am so glad my comment led another person to her, she is wonderful.

[@vespermartini2556]

@@anniedetroit7525 It's a good thing, you've brought her to the attention of someone who had never heard of her, she's probably very happy with you now, spreading knowledge.

[@stephenjohnson3163]

I mainly stick to Fr. Mike Schmitz for Ascension Presents, but I am so glad that I clicked this video!❤

[@CJChesspnp]

Amazing about the loss of his Dad as a Polish resistance fighter, 2 sibs died, a lot of suffering on his path to heaven

[@FreedomandBaconHomestead]

He is my confirmation saint!

[@sabrinawoodard5788]

Beautiful explained thank you

[@caroledickerson5616]

I love him so much. 🎈

[@jackhard4307]

St.maximilian kolbe pray for us..amen.

[@mariakrystyna5266]

A beautiful story, it brought tears to my eyes

[@diasbuilds]

Happy Feast Everyone. Pray for us St.Maximilian Kolbe!

[@JesusIsLove2512]

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ 🙏 Mother Mary Pray For Us 🙏Abba Father Bless us and we Adore You 🙏

[@Unoriginal42069]

Always compelling! Keep up the good work!

[@bfpskater]

The religion jargon is too much for me, but I 100% admire the devotion to the greater good and God this great soul exemplifies in his life

[@jamiekrista]

Awesome video.. brought tears 😢

[@kristijanpavlacic7955]

I am born on a day dedicated to him from catholic calendar

[@Rosary-Crusader]

Love this amazing heroic Marian Saint!

[@dsc4178]

Learned of him in school. Thank you.

[@SomewhereInIndiana1816]

🙏🙏🙏

[@victorearly1215]

My patron saint ❤

[@tempesnyder6243]

Beautiful!

[@christinawhite9256]

Thank you! 🙏

[@theoriginaljohn]

who dislike such videos?

[@Svetlana_Pacheco]

In the description of the video, the year of birth is mentioned as 1984 instead of 1894 🙂

[@1001011011010]

His feast day is tomorrow (in my timezone, anyway)! Praise God.

[@junkyardjunkie7192]

Watching this as im choosing a patron saint and have definitely found mine

[@walterweiss7124]

don't forget August 14, the eve of Assumption of Mary to whom St.Maksymilian also was devoted

[@Me_a_documentary]

kindly tell us more about other great saints. i really want to know

[@famvids9627]

You left out anything pertaining to his founding of the Militia of the Immaculatae and their mission statement,”Only until all schismatics and Protestants profess the Catholic Creed with conviction, when all Jews voluntarily ask for Holy Baptism - only then will the Immaculata have reached its goals.”

[@mikezart1]

He should be declared a Doctor of the theology of the Immaculata.

[@Medico9814]

St maximallian kolbe is my patron being 14th Aug my birthday too💟💟💟

[@victoriafuentes271]

Thank you for the video. Would love to read more about him. Any recommendations of a book about him?

[@RecoveringLiberal1984]

❤❤❤

[@Lauri858]

Do you have suggestions on books by or about St, Maximilian Kolbe?

[@jjmartinez7225]

I chose him as my patron saint for confirmation

[@richardseales6784]

THE KNIGHT'S OF THE IMMULATA PRAY 🙏 FOR US ALL AND THE WHOLE WORLD AMEN 🙏

[@FingerprintsPL]

Prisoners were about to be starved to death not shot... so St. Kolbe knew what he's about to face.

[@SaintCharbelMiracleworker]

When I see Orthodox priests I too think to myself "beard gold".