Saint Maximilian Kolbe: Saint of Auschwitz (1997)
Elaine Murray Stone
Saint Maximilian Kolbe, a hero of the 20th-century Church, is remembered for his profound self-sacrifice, embodying Jesus’ words: “Greater love than this no man has, that a man lay down his life for his friend.” This 120-page biography highlights his life, emphasizing lesser-known aspects of his personality and journey.
Born Raymond Kolbe in Poland on January 8, 1894, to devout, working-class parents, he was a mischievous boy until a punishment from his mother led to a deep spiritual transformation. At the age of 13, he had a vision of Our Lady of Czestochowa, who offered him two crowns—one red, one white. Choosing both, Raymond became Maximilian, symbolizing his devotion to God and Mary.
In 1907, Maximilian and his brother joined a Franciscan seminary. After his ordination in 1918, he founded the Knights of the Immaculate Movement, dedicated to spreading devotion to the Virgin Mary and converting sinners. In 1927, he established the Niepokalanów monastery, a Catholic publishing hub, and in 1930, launched a mission in Japan with the creation of Mugenzai no Sono in Nagasaki.
Returning to Poland in 1936 due to health issues, Kolbe faced the rise of Nazism. In 1941, he was arrested and sent to Auschwitz. When 10 men were chosen to starve to death for one escape attempt, Kolbe volunteered to take the place of Franciszek Gajowniczek, a man with a family. Despite enduring two weeks of starvation, Kolbe remained alive until he was executed with a lethal injection on August 14, 1941.
Beatified in 1971 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1982, Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s life continues to inspire devotion and sacrifice.
Contemplative Prayer (1971)
Thomas Merton
This book, posthumously published a year after the accidental death of the author Thomas Merton, the renowned American Trappist monk in Bangkok, is a collection of profound reflections on the contemplative life and its methods, drawing from a wide range of traditions and Merton’s deep erudition and insight, including Eastern non-Christian ideas.
In the Foreword, A. M. Alchin notes the book’s two main sections: one traces the history of contemplative prayer from the Desert Fathers to St. John of the Cross, while the other delves into Merton’s personal struggle to express the anxiety, dread, and emptiness often encountered in contemplative prayer, particularly in modern times. Merton highlights that contemplative prayer is not only for monks but for every Christian.
Key points of the book include:
- Essence of Contemplative Prayer: Merton stresses silence, stillness, and solitude, inviting a deeper awareness of God’s presence.
- Historical Roots: The development of the practice is explored through the experiences of early Christian mystics and monastic traditions.
- Practical Steps: Merton offers guidance on silencing the mind, using sacred texts, and embracing solitude.
- Challenges and Misconceptions: He addresses distractions, doubts, and the misunderstanding that contemplative prayer is an escape from reality.
- Fruits of Contemplative Prayer: Merton reflects on its transformative effects, such as inner peace and a deeper connection with God.
Merton’s wisdom and expertise provide readers with a deeper understanding of the transformative power of silent communion with the divine. In the conclusion of the book, he points out that without contemplation and interior prayer, the Church cannot fulfill her mission to transform and save humankind. It involves total love for God and an uncompromising thirst for His truth.
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