St. Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish Franciscan friar, priest, and martyr known for his devotion to the Virgin Mary and his ultimate act of self-sacrifice.

Maximilian founded the Militia Immaculatae (“Army of the Immaculate One”) to promote faith through the intercession of Mary. He later established a major publishing centre, which became one of the largest Catholic media operations in the world at the time.

During World War II, Kolbe was arrested by the Nazis for sheltering refugees, including Jews, at his friary. Imprisoned in Auschwitz, he volunteered to take the place of another prisoner—a young father—who had been condemned to die. While in confinement, he led the other prisoners in prayer and praise. After two weeks of deprivation, he was executed by lethal injection. 

Maximilian Kolbe is honoured as a “Martyr of Charity” and is the patron saint of journalists, prisoners, and the pro-life movement.