Kolbe Day is a time to focus on what makes our community special and the influence of our Patron, St Maximilian Kolbe.
Reading about Maximilian’s life uncovers many lessons for us today about how to live our lives and make the world a better place.
1) The courage and determination of children
At around age 10, Max had a vision of the Virgin Mary and became determined to devote his life to God. To experience such a calling at a young age and to then follow through with this vision is a testament to the power of youth. Young people today can hold and carry convictions that can change the world. It underpins the school’s vision, where we want to foster young people inspired by Jesus to transform the world, just as Max did throughout his life.
2) Calling out issues and walking with people.
Maximilian Kolbe was discontent with conflict in the community and took steps to make the world a better place. We often focus on his courage towards the end of his life by sheltering thousands of Jewish refugees and becoming a martyr. Yet Maximilian spent most of his life debating and actively trying to convert those whose ideologies challenged the church. Maximilian’s charismatic approach meant his group went from seven attendees in 1917, to several hundred a few years later and finally in the hundreds of thousands of members by the 1930s.
Did you know? St Maximilian’s magazine published one million copies!
3) Using media to inform and inspire.
Maximilian was an excellent media content creator. He was cutting edge in his use of magazines, pamphlets, and radio to reach, inspire and educate the world. If Maximilian was here today, he would have millions of followers on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. We need to follow in his footsteps and spread messages of God’s love and hope for all of us.
During Kolbe Day it was wonderful to see students raising money and awareness for House charities, advertising their stalls using media, and spending time together as a community. Walking together in the footsteps of St Maximilian Kolbe.