The miracle that made Saint Maximilian Kolbe the Polish friar who died in Auschwitz blessed

St. Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish Conventual Franciscan friar, born on 7 January 1894 and died in the Auschwitz concentration camp on 14 August 1941.

Maximilian Kolbe was born in Zdunska Wola, in Poland, from a large and profoundly Christian family. TO 13 years, entered the seminary of the Conventual Franciscans in Lwow and in 1910 he took his first vows. Subsequently, he moved to Roma to study theology and philosophy, where he was ordained a priest in 1918.

After his ordination to the priesthood, Kolbe returned to Poland and founded the militant movement of Mary Immaculate with the aim of spreading the message of the Gospel and promoting devotion to the Madonna. In 1927, Kolbe founded a city-convent in Teresin, in Poland, which became a center of spirituality and training for his followers.

In 1939, Poland was invaded by German troops and Kolbe was arrested and imprisoned in several concentration camps. He was deported to Auschwitz, where he was subjected to harsh conditions physical and psychological tests. Despite his suffering, Kolbe continued to offer comfort and hope to his fellow prisoners, celebrating the Secrecy and encouraging his companions to keep the faith.

The canonization of Saint Maximilian Kolbe occurred on October 10, 1982, during the pontificate of John Paul II. His beatification was approved by Pope Paul VI in 1971.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe and the miracle of Angelina's healing

Angelina's miraculous healing, which led to the canonization of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, took place in Sassari, towards the end of the 40s, and was witnessed by the local diocese and by the person directly involved, a woman named Angelina Testoni.

Angelina was suffering from an illness that confined her to bed. One day, a friar visited her and, after praying for her, gave her apicture of San Massimiliano. The friar told her to address her prayers to the saint so that thewould intercede in his favor. Incredibly, during the following night, the woman healed completely and the next morning he awoke in perfect health.

To thank the saint for the miracle obtained, Angelina Testoni decided to actively engage in Militia of the Immaculate Conception, a religious order founded by the saint.