Courageous St. Maximilian Kolbe

Billy Gillespie as St. Maximilian Kolbe

A few years ago, I had the honor of portraying St. Maximilian Kolbe in the Film, THE SAINT OF AUSCHWITZ, currently streaming on feeln.com. At that time I was not familiar with this saint, so before the audition I scoured the internet for information on this, I would soon discover, courageous Saint.

St Max was born on January 7, 1894 in Russian occupied Poland as Raymond Kolbe. As a child, young Raymond was a first rate brat and a real pain in the neck to his parents. But at age twelve, around the time of his first Communion, he had a vision of the Virgin Mary that forever changed his life.

“I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in purity, and the red that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both.” – Saint Maximilian

While in seminary Raymond and six friends founded the Militia Immaculatae, Crusade of Mary Immaculate. Ordained on April 28, 1918. Raymond, now Maximilian, went on to found a new monastery in Poland, produce the magazine, Knight of the Immaculate that had a press run of 750,000 copies a month at it’s peak. He traveled to and founded monasteries in Japan and India.

In poor health from tuberculous, he returned to Poland. Arrested in February 1941 by the Nazis for hiding Jewish refugees in the monastery, he ended up in Auschwitz and branded as prisoner 16670. He spent his time helping others and often giving his megar food rations to others in poor health.  He suffered more abuse than anyone else at the hands of the prison guards due to his dedication to his faith.

In July 1941, there was an escape from camp and as retaliation ten men were were chosen to be exterminated by starvation. One of the prisoners, Francis Gajowniczek, a married man with young children was one of ten men chosen to die for the escape. Maximilian volunteered to take his place and died on August 14, 1941. St. Maximilian Kolbe was canonized on October 10, 1982 by Pope John Paul II. Francis Gajowniczek, the man St. Maximilian saved from death was on hand to witness the canonization.

St. Maximilian Kolbe truly led a courageous life. And so can we. Below are five ways to be courageous in our lives.

Prayer is exercise for the soul. Prayer opens us to God. Let us pray with confidence as we converse with God and always be attentive to God’s answer, it can come at any time.

Mass attunes us to God, the the mystical, the invisible. The Mass is Heaven on earth. Bare witness to the beautiful miracle transformation of mere bread and wine into the magnificent body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which gives us the strength to follow the proclamation to go and love and serve the Lord.

Challenge yourself in Christ. Begin in small ways. Set your alarm for prayer at various times of day. Be at Mass five minutes early. Move up a pew or two every week. Do good deeds and don’t expect a thank you. Find fun ways to challenge yourself and stretch your boundaries of faith.

Spread the good news. Volunteer. Put the Word into action. An hour or two of your free time adds immeasurable quality to someones life. Your character speaks volumes how you act and react in public. Pray for someone you see that needs a prayer. The disabled, a caregiver, the elderly, a family member at a difficult moment and pray for them without them knowing.

“Let us work in missionary action. Let us conquer other hearts for the Immaculate.” St. Maximilian Kolbe.

Radical Love is willing the good of the other for their sake without concern for your well being. Mother Teresa great example of radical love. In Calcutta, India, with a starving little child in hand, she walked into a bakery and asked for something to eat for the little girl. The man behind the counter spit on Mother Teresa. Not missing a beat she says, “thank you sir, now how about one for the little girl.” Radicle love does not mean to be a door mat or stoop to the enemy’s level but stand tall, detach from anger and love them for who they are. A child of God.

Being courageous in our faith is not about ego, being macho or being right. It’s about being love and giving love to one another.

“Let us remember that love lives through sacrifice and is nourished by giving.- St. Maximilian Kolbe

St. Maximilian Kolbe’s Feast Day is August 14th.

St. Maximilian Kolbe pray for us.

 

3 thoughts on “Courageous St. Maximilian Kolbe

  1. I love this! Thanks for the story of this Saint and the reminders for today, Billy. Loving and learning from this site.

  2. Thanks for sharing. May God will continue to pour his Blessings upon you and more wisdom to share the faith to others. Keep it up!

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