Prisoner Number 16770

Brave men do not always carry weapons or wear uniforms or wear capes. Some brave men are simple, ordinary persons but perform exemplary act of bravery when least expected, men who go on to become epitome of bravery. 

This is the story of one such person, Maximilian Kolbe. Born as Raymond Kolbe, son of weaver in Poland. As a child he was quite mischievous. One day his mother chided him, expressing her worry as to what would become of him when grew up. His mother's chiding had a lasting effect on him. He became pensive and sought help of Mary, Mother of Jesus. It is said that one night he had a vision in which Mother Mary gave him choice of either to "persevere in purity" or "become a martyr". He chose both. Thus began his journey towards the ultimate martyrdom. 

He became a Franciscan priest, changing his name to Maximilian Kolbe. He traveled wide and far in his mission of charity and spreading the Gospel. 

In 1939, the Nazis occupied Poland. Maximilian Kolbe was arrested on general suspicion. He was released but was arrested again on suspicion of hiding and protecting Jewish refugees. He was imprisoned in Auschwitz concentration camp. His new identity became "prisoner number 16770". 

Even after becoming a prisoner he did not lose his spirit of charity and compassion. He was a pillar of strength to the other prisoners who were driven to desperation due to the cruel treatment of the Nazis. It is said that prisoners from other bunkers crept up to his bunker to confess their sins and get his blessings and redemption.

One day, a prisoner escaped from the camp. As a reprisal for the escape, the camp commander ordered 10 men to be chosen who would be sent to "the dark cells" in Block 11. In place of windows, "the dark cells" had vents covered on the outside by metal screens with air holes punched in them. Prisoners slept on the bare floor. The selected prisoners would be confined to "the dark cells" until death by starvation. 

Franciszek Gajowniczek was one of the 10 selected to die. As they were lined up, he started crying and screaming that he had a wife and children and he would never see them again. At that moment, Maximilian Kolbe did something which was never witnessed in Auschwitz. He stepped forward and asked permission to speak. No one in the history of the concentration camp ever stepped out of line or spoke out of turn. Anyone who tried something like that would have been shot to death. Surprisingly, the Nazi commander asked Maximilian Kolbe to speak up. 

In his gentle and calm voice, Maximilian Kolbe said "The man has a family. I am a priest and I am willing to take his place". Surprisingly again, the commander agreed to the strange unexpected request. Maximilian took the place of the crying man. It needs exemplary courage to do what he did knowing well that utter humiliation, starvation, pain, and death awaited him.

He and the other nine men were taken to "the dark cells". At the end of two weeks, only Maximilian survived out of the 10 prisoners. On 14th August 1941, he was executed through lethal injection. He died with his arms raised to the heavens. Thus ended the mortal life of a brave man but his legend lives on. In the words of Pope John Paul II, Maximilian Kolbe did not die but gave his life for a brother. 

Franciszek Gajowniczek miraculously survived the concentration camp. He became a living testimony for the exceptional bravery shown by Maximilian Kolbe. Also, he was one of the persons present when Father Maximilian Kolbe was canonized and declared a martyr of charity by Pope John Paul II on 10 October 1982. 

The Catholic Church venerates St. Maximilian Kolbe as the patron saint of amateur-radio operators, of drug addicts, of political prisoners, of families, of journalists, of prisoners, and of the pro-life movement.

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Acknowledgement: Inspired by the Friday homily of His Eminence, Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, India