St. Maximilian Kolbe – 14th August
On 14th August, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan priest, missionary, and martyr, whose life radiated extraordinary love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Known as the “Martyr of Charity,” Kolbe offered his life at Auschwitz in 1941, taking the place of a fellow prisoner condemned to die. His selfless sacrifice reflected Christ’s own words: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
St. Maximilian’s profound Marian devotion began in childhood and grew into a worldwide apostolate. He founded the Militia Immaculatae (Army of the Immaculate) with the mission of bringing souls to Christ through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. His missionary zeal took him to Japan, where he established a monastery that became a center of evangelization. He called Mary the “Mediatrix of all graces” and saw total consecration to her as the fastest way to holiness and union with Jesus.
For the World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF), St. Maximilian Kolbe holds special significance. His life mirrors the Fatima message of prayer, penance, and consecration to the Immaculate Heart. Just as Our Lady at Fatima called for a spiritual army to combat the evils of the world, Kolbe rallied Catholics to be soldiers under Mary’s banner, using prayer and sacrifice as spiritual weapons.
In our WAF “Hour of Holiness” for the Prayer Cells, we invoke St. Maximilian’s intercession because he embodies what we seek for our members: courage to live our faith boldly, fidelity to Mary’s requests, and readiness to offer ourselves in reparation for the salvation of souls. Through his prayers, we ask for grace to deepen our Marian devotion, to be unwavering in the Rosary, and to remain steadfast in spreading the Fatima message in our homes and communities.
St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!