Our patron and role model at CMAX is Maximilian Maria Kolbe, a Franciscan Friar martyred in the death camp of Auschwitz during World War II. Father Maximilian recognized the power of modern media (which even in his time was being utilized for darker purposes) to reach the masses with Christ’s saving message. While studying to become a priest in Rome during the the 1920s, Maximillian witnessed heated demonstrations by the Freemasons against Popes Pius X and Benedict XV. He was very disturbed by their actions.
In his own words: “They placed the black standard of the “Giordano Brunisti” under the windows of the Vatican. On this standard the archangel, St. Michael, was depicted lying under the feet of the triumphant Lucifer. At the same time, countless pamphlets were distributed to the people in which the Holy Father (i.e., the Pope) was attacked shamefully.”
It struck Maximilian that the same media being used for evil could be used for good. On October 16, 1917, he founded the Militia Immaculatae (Army of the Immaculate One), to combat the enemies of the Church while seeking the conversion of sinners. He founded a monthly Polish Roman Catholic magazine, Rycerz Niepokalanej, which grew to a circulation of 800,000. This growth required Fr. Maximilian to found a monastery near Warsaw. His monastery became a thriving, religious publishing center. He founded a radio station and even had plans for a movie studio before the Nazi invasion, which eventually led to his arrest and martyrdom.
There is so much more about this amazing Saint; from a life-changing vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary in his youth, to his missionary work in Asia, to his ongoing battle with Tuberculosis, to his founding a monastery in Nagasaki Japan which survived the atomic bombing of the town, to the secret Masses offered in the concentration camp, to his final offering of his life in place of a husband and father in Auschwitz.
Learn more about Saint Fr. Maximilian:
- www.romancatholicman.com/st-maximilian-kolbe-spiritual-warrior-master-new-media-messy-desk/
- www.crs.org/resource-center/saint-spotlight-maximilian-kolbe
It is our prayer that we emulate joy like Fr. Maximilian Kolbe in the midst of suffering, and his boldness in the midst of persecution.
Pray for us, at CMAX, that we might too be a courageous light in the darkness!
/prayJoin us in prayer with the live Adoration chapel feed from St. Maximilian Kolbe’s Chapel in Poland.
Our partners at EWTN Poland have included CMAX.TV in the live stream. We invite you to join in prayer, and even more “formally” join the prayer team at CMAX!