We traveled about 30 miles west of Warsaw to Niepokalanów, the home of the monastery build by St. Maximilian Kolbe. We visited the museum dedicated to him.
The stories and life of St. Maximilian Kolbe are taken primarily from REFERENCE, and REFERENCE.
Museum
Saint Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish Franciscan Friar who became known for his profound religious dedication and ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War. Born Raymund Kolbe on January 8, 1894, in Poland, he developed a strong religious conviction early in life.
In his writings, St. Maximilian Kolbe recounts an incident from his childhood. He was 12 years old and had recently been scolded by his mother for some bit of mischief he had gotten into. Later, he was prompted to reflect upon his actions and turned to the Blessed Mother in prayer. He writes: “That night 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 me 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.”
At 13, Kolbe enrolled in a Franciscan seminary. He took the religious name Maximilian in 1910 and later studied in Rome, earning doctorates in philosophy (1915) and theology (1919). Despite suffering from poor health, including tuberculosis, he returned to the newly independent Poland in 1919 and settled at the Niepokalanów monastery near Warsaw.
Kolbe had a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary and was keen to work for the conversion of sinners. He actively participated in the Militia Immaculata (Army of Mary) and helped friars at Niepokalanów to publish books, pamphlets, and a daily newspaper, Maly Dziennik, which grew to have a circulation of over one million. He was successful in using modern technology like radio broadcasting to spread his message. In 1930, Kolbe served as a missionary in Japan, founding a monastery on the outskirts of Nagasaki which miraculously survived the later atomic blast due to its location. He returned to Poland in 1936 due to increasing illness.
By the start of World War II, Niepokalanów had grown to 650 Friars, making it the largest Catholic house in Europe. Kolbe was briefly arrested when Poland was overrun by the Nazi forces in 1939. Upon his release, he and the community at the friary provided sanctuary, food, and clothing to 3,000 Polish refugees, including approximately 1,500 Jews. In 1941, his publication “The Knight of the Immaculate” offered strong criticism of the Nazis. The following group of paintings were painted by Marian Kołodziej, another prisoner in Auschwitz.
Shortly after, on February 17, 1941, Kolbe was arrested by the Gestapo for anti-Nazi activities, including operating a printing house that criticized the regime and for hiding Jewish people. He was sent to Auschwitz concentration camp, branded prisoner #16670. Witnesses reported that he retained his deep faith and dignity despite brutal treatment, even sharing his meager rations.
The painting depicts St. Maximilian Kolbe in the Auschwitz concentration camp sitting with fellow prisoners in the Auschwitz concentration camp before his execution.
This painting depicts Saint Maximilian Kolbe ministering to a fellow prisoner in the Auschwitz concentration camp.
In July 1941, when ten prisoners were chosen to be starved to death in punishment for an escape attempt, one of the condemned, Franciszek Gajowniczek, cried out, “My wife! My children!”. At this moment, Father Kolbe volunteered to take his place, stating, “I am a Catholic priest from Poland; I would like to take his place because he has a wife and children”. The commander, surprisingly, accepted. Gajowniczek was saved and later survived the camp.
In the underground starvation bunker, Kolbe led the other condemned men in prayers and hymns to Mary. Bruno Borgowiec, a prisoner tasked with serving them, reported that Kolbe was often seen kneeling or standing, encouraging the others with a cheerful face. After two weeks, with only Kolbe remaining alive, the guards executed him with a lethal injection.
His remains were cremated on August 15, 1941. Kolbe’s deed offered a rare glimpse of human dignity amidst the cruelty of Auschwitz. He was canonized as a martyr by Pope John Paul II in 1982.
This final painting depicts the martyrdom and spiritual ascent of Saint Maximilian Kolbe and fellow concentration camp victims.
There were many other letters, photos, and artifacts in the museum, some of them shown below, but it was this series of paintings that told the story of St. Maximilian in Auschwitz.
This painting depicts St. Maximilian Kolbe with an angelic figure behind him. He is shown standing in the foreground with a serious expression. In the background, a turbulent sea is visible with a ship bearing the letters “M.I.” (Militia of the Immaculata), an organization he founded. A large, radiant cross is prominently featured in the sky, and a hand from behind the angel points towards the cross and the ship. The painting likely symbolizes St. Maximilian Kolbe’s life and mission, particularly his devotion to the Virgin Mary (the Immaculata) and his ultimate sacrifice. He was a missionary and journalist who was martyred during World War II at the Auschwitz concentration camp after he volunteered to die in place of another man. [REFERENCE]
Chapel
As we finished our tour of the museum, we moved to the chapel next door to celebrate mass.
This is the oldest building in the monastery. This is where it all began. It was in this chapel that the Saint prayed, celebrated Mass, and delivered conferences. It was here that the brothers took their monastic vows. It was built in the fall of 1927 and was given the title of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. [REFERENCE]
Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Omni-mediatress of All Graces
Our final stop is the Basilica of the Virgin Mary.
Our first view of the tower of the Basilica included wisps of white smoke reminding us “We Have a Pope!”
This beautiful St. Joseph Chapel contains a sculpture of St. Joseph with Jesus. The mosaic to the left is Jesus the Merciful (Divine Mercy Image). To the right is a mosaic of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The text JESU UFAM TOBIE translates to Jesus, I trust in you.
This mosaic depicts the Baptism of Mieszko I, the first Christian ruler of Poland. The inscription translates to “Mieszko Duke is baptized – Poland is always faithful – 966-1966”
This mosaic depicts Saint Maximilian Kolbe in the Auschwitz concentration camp. He is surrounded by other prisoners. The script translates to “Unbroken Martyr of Love, Apostle of the Immaculate”.
Adoration Chapel
We entered the Adoration Chapel which claims to be the most viewed perpetual adoration chapel on the internet.
I couldn’t help but notice the symbolism between the cross and the heart beat tracing.
Back Outside
Back outside the basilica, there is a statue of St. Pope John Paul II. The blue shield features a prominent off-centered golden cross. A golden letter ‘M’ is located at the bottom right of the shield, symbolizing his strong devotion to the Virgin Mary.
It has been a long day, our first full day in Poland. From here we headed back to Warsaw for dinner and a well-deserved night’s rest.
Again, thanks for tagging along, especially in this very long post. I’ll try to keep them shorter in the future.
Mark
Thank you for sharing the story and the beautiful artworks. A tour with memories for a lifetime.