St. Maximilian Kolbe is the patron saint of the College. He was born in Poland late in the nineteenth century. His parents named him Raymond. They were poor but they worked hard to give their children a good education, who did not let their parents down.

Raymond worked hard in primary school and eventually joined his older brother in the local Franciscan minor seminary, a secondary school for boys who were considering a life as a member of the Franciscan Order, a religious order founded by St Francis of Assisi in the twelfth century. Raymond completed his secondary schooling and entered religious life in the Franciscan Order. He was given the name Maximilian. His superiors were impressed with his academic ability and provided him with opportunities to continue his studies at university. After ordination, Fr Maximilian gained two doctoral degrees in theology and philosophy.

Fr Maximilian was a person of great faith who valued his relationship with God and spent his adult life as a priest in Poland and Japan. He had a life long devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. In keeping with the spirit of chivalry that is part of the Franciscan ethos, Fr Maximilian formed the Knights of the Immaculata, dedicated to evangelizing the world through prayer and through publishing literature that promoted Christian faith. His organization grew rapidly. It continues today, more than sixty years after his death. Known as MI (the Militia of the Immaculata), it flourishes throughout the world.

The final act of his life of volunteering took place in Auschwitz where he was interned because he had been openly critical of the Nazis. In 1941, he volunteered to take the place of a prisoner who was a father of a young family and who had been condemned to die in reprisal for an escape attempt. Kolbe’s action was one of extraordinary courage and generosity.

Committed to Christ, to seeking truth and to establishing the reign, or Kingdom of God in his world, St. Maximilian Kolbe is a very worthy and inspiring patron of our College. He is an ideal model for those who belong to our school community.

KOLBE DAY 2008

KOLBE DAY FRIDAY 22 AUGUST

Although St Maximilian Kolbe’s Feast Day is on August 14, the Archbishop requested that all schools celebrated the Feast of the Assumption with a whole school Mass. As many parents are aware The Assumption is a Holy Day of Obligation, one of those days we are all expected to attend Mass in our parishes. Therefore, we chose to split these feasts so that we could focus on them quite separately, and will celebrate Kolbe Day this Friday, 22 August. Given St Kolbe’s extraordinary devotion to Mary, Mother of Jesus, it is quite apt that we do this.

St Maximilian Kolbe is the Patron Saint of our College, whose life and death inspire us to follow Jesus, as he did. As many parents would be aware, each of the year groups have researched various aspects of Kolbe’s faith, his commitment to those in need no matter what it cost, and his passionate desire for excellence in living his faith. He was a scholar who earned two doctoral degrees, a person of great faith who valued his relationship with God, spent his life as a priest in Poland and Japan and who had a life long devotion of honouring Mary, the Mother of Jesus. This work completed in RE classes will culminate in the celebration of Kolbe’s life and story during the Kolbe Day Mass on Friday.

All parents and friends are welcome to attend the whole school Mass commencing at 9am in the Sports Hall. The remainder of the day is devoted to a number of celebratory activities for staff and students of the College. For duty of care reasons, please note that this time is strictly for present students and staff only, and visitors will not be permitted.