“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). St. Maximilian Kolbe made the greatest sacrifice: to give his life for another. His love for Christ truly enabled him to love the whole world, and be willing to make that sacrifice for someone that he barely knew. How vast is God’s love! Heavenly Father, let our hearts become like St. Maximilian Kolbe’s, so full of your love that we will never hesitate to give of ourselves to another in your name. Amen!

The Two Crowns of Faith

St. Maximilian Kolbe is one of the most heroic and passionate saints of our times. Born Raymond Kolbe in Poland on January 8, 1894, his parents passed on to him a faith steeped deeply in the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When he was still a youngster he had a vision of Mary which began his formation: “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 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.” His love and devotion for Mary would color the rest of his life: he constantly asked for her assistance and relied on her for the undertaking of all of his spiritual endeavors.

(Learn More in Our Pamphlet Above: by the Diocesan Office of New Evangelization)

Daily Renewal of Total Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Immaculata, Queen and Mother of the Church, I renew my consecration to you this day and for always, so that you may use me for the coming of the Kingdom of Jesus in the whole world. To this end, I offer you all my prayers, actions, and sacrifices of this day. Amen.

Daily Miraculous Medal Prayer of St. Maximilian

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.
 Amen.

St. Maximilian Kolbe had a very strong devotion to Our Blessed Mother.  In learning more about him it is impossible to not be drawn closer to Our Blessed Mother.

A RULE OF LIFE for Those Consecrated to the Immaculate Virgin,

by Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe

It is my duty to be a saint and a great saint.

For the glory of God, I must save myself and all souls, present and future, through the Immaculate.

Before anything else flee not only from mortal but also from deliberate venial sin.

Do not permit: a. that evil remain without reparation and destruction; or b. that good be without fruit or increase.

Let your rule be obedience-the will of God through the Immaculate-I am nothing but an instrument.

Think of what you are doing. Do not be concerned about anything else, whether bad or good.

Preserve order, and order will preserve you.

Peaceful and benevolent action.

Preparation - Action - Conclusion.

Remember that you belong exclusively, unconditionally, absolutely, irrevocably to the Immaculate: Whoever you are, whatever you have or can, whatever you do (thoughts, words, action) and endure (pleasant, unpleasant, indifferent things) belong to the Immaculate. Consequently, may she dispose of them according to Her will (and not yours). In the same way it belongs to Her all your intentions; therefore, may she transform them, add others, take them away, as She likes (in fact, She does not offend justice). You are an instrument in Her hand, therefore do only what She wants; accept everything like a child to his own mother, trust Her in everything.Take an interest about Her, Her veneration, Her things and let Her take care of you and your loved ones. Recognize that everything you have comes from Her and nothing from you. All the fruits of your activities depend on the union with Her, in the same way as She is an instrument of the divine mercy.

O Immaculate, my life (every moment of it), my death (where, when and how) and my eternity belongs totally to you. Of everything You do whatever You like.

Books Available About St. Maximilian Kolbe's Life

Saint Maximilian Kolbe: Knight of the Immaculata
by Jeremiah J. Smith
Amazon.com

Maximilian Kolbe: Saint of Auschwitz
by Elaine Murray Stone (Author), Patrick Kelley (Illustrator)
Amazon.com

Forget Not Love
by André Frossard
TheCatholicCompany.com

For the Life of the World
by Fr. Jerzy Domanski, OFMConv. 
TheCatholicCompany.com