Maximilian Kolbe

Saint

Maximilian Kolbe

OFMConv
Saint; Maximilian Kolbe; OFMConv
	Kolbe in 1936
Martyr
Born	Raymund Kolbe; 8 January 1894; Zduńska Wola, Congress Poland, Russian Empire
Died	14 August 1941 (aged 47); Auschwitz-Birkenau, Nazi Germany
Venerated in	Catholic Church; Palmarian Church; Anglican Communion; Lutheran Church;
Beatified	17 October 1971, Vatican City by Pope Paul VI
Canonized	10 October 1982, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II
Major shrine	Basilica of the Omni-mediatress of All Glories
Feast	14 August
Attributes	Franciscan habit; the Rycerz Niepokalanej; Nazi concentration prison uniform; Nazi concentration camp badge; crucifix; rosary;
Patronage	prisoners, drug addicts, families, journalists, amateur radio operators, pro-life movement, people with eating disorders

Maximilian Maria Kolbe OFMConv (born Raymund Kolbe; Polish: Maksymilian Maria Kolbe; 8 January 1894 – 14 August 1941) was a Polish Conventual Franciscan friar, priest, missionary, and martyr. He volunteered to die in place of a man named Franciszek Gajowniczek in the German death camp of Auschwitz, located in German-occupied Poland during World War II. He had been active in promoting the veneration of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, founding and supervising the monastery of Niepokalanów near Warsaw, operating an amateur-radio station (SP3RN), and founding or running several other organizations and publications.

On 10 October 1982, Pope John Paul II canonized Kolbe and declared him a martyr of charity. The Catholic Church venerates him as the patron saint of amateur radio operators, drug addicts, political prisoners, families, journalists, and prisoners. John Paul II declared him "the patron of our difficult century". His feast day is 14 August, the day of his martyrdom.

Due to Kolbe's efforts to promote consecration and entrustment to Mary, he is known as an "apostle of consecration to Mary".