# St. Maximilian Kolbe and the Sorrowful Mysteries
*2018-08-14*

> Bill Young reflects on the martyrdom of St. Maximilian Kolbe and leads a full rosary of the Sorrowful Mysteries, ending with prayers for families, the Legion of Mary, and an invitation to a local Holy Day Mass.

## Remembering St. Maximilian Kolbe

Today, August 14, we celebrate the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Conventual Franciscan priest from Poland who gave his life for a fellow prisoner in Auschwitz. When a man was selected to die of starvation, Kolbe volunteered to take his place. After two weeks of brutal treatment, the Nazis injected him with a lethal dose of phenol. His self‑sacrifice exemplifies the ultimate Christian love—choosing the “white hat” of purity and the “red hat” of martyrdom together.

## The Rosary as Our Greatest Weapon

I invited listeners to pray the rosary with me, emphasizing that the rosary is the most powerful weapon we have against evil. We began with the Apostles’ Creed, followed by three Hail Marys for peace, love, and hope, and then the Glory Be. Each of the five Sorrowful Mysteries was announced, meditated upon, and accompanied by ten Hail Marys, a Our Father, and a concluding Glory Be.

**First Mystery – The Agony in the Garden**
We recalled Christ’s trembling prayer and his sweat like drops of blood.

**Second Mystery – The Scourging at the Pillar**
We reflected on the purity of Christ’s suffering.

**Third Mystery – The Crowning with Thorns**
We prayed for the courage to bear our own “crowns” of suffering.

**Fourth Mystery – The Carrying of the Cross**
We asked for patience as we walk our own way of the cross.

**Fifth Mystery – The Crucifixion**
We entered into the mystery of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, praying for the fruit of perseverance.

Each mystery concluded with the traditional prayers, invoking Mary’s intercession for sinners now and at the hour of death.

## Prayers for the Legion of Mary and Families

After the rosary, I offered a specific intention for the Legion of Mary at St. David’s Catholic Church and for all who need Mary’s strength. I then led a prayer for fathers and mothers, asking the Holy Spirit to fill us with love, respect for life, peace, justice, forgiveness, and a prayerful home that may bear vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

## Invitation to Tomorrow’s Holy Day Mass

Tomorrow, August 15, St. David’s will celebrate the feast day with a 9 a.m. Mass followed by a communal rosary. All are welcome—whether you belong to the Legion of Mary or simply wish to join in prayer. If you are elsewhere, you are still invited to attend any Holy Day Mass and pray the rosary on your own.

*St. Maximilian Kolbe’s martyrdom reminds us that true love embraces both purity and sacrifice, a reality we enter anew each time we pray the rosary.*